Jeanine Cava, at microphone, newly
named Program Associate for the Barnegat Bay National Estuary Program,
prepares to introduce organization leaders and honorees at the Barnegat Bay
National Estuary Program's 10th Anniversary Festival
BAY PROTECTORS RECOGNIZED
ISLAND HEIGHTS -- As part of its 10th Anniversary celebration the
Barnegat Bay National Estuary Program (BBNEP) recognized community leaders
who had made significant contributions in protecting the bay.
Island Heights Mayor David Siddons, a member of the BBNEP Policy
Committee opened the ceremonies by introducing L. Stanton Hales, Ph.D., of
Galloway, the Program's new director, and announced Jeanine Cava of Bradley
Beach will be the new public outreach coordinator.
Terry O'Leary, of Bayville, received a "Guardians of Barnegat Bay
Lifetime Achievement award" for his work as an educator and champion of
Barnegat Bay protection, which was presented by Rich Kunze of the Ocean
County Utilities Authority and BBNEP Advisory Committee Chair.
David Friedman of the Ocean County Soil Conservation District
received a "Guardian of Barnegat Bay, Government Leading by Example" award,
for his tireless efforts at protecting water and soil quality in the
watershed. His award was presented by Island Heights Councilwoman and New
Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Press Officer, Karen Hershey.
Willie deCamp of Save Barnegat Bay accepted the "Guardians of
Barnegat Bay Community Caretaker" award for his organization's work in
educating the citizens of Ocean County about nitrogen pollution in the Bay
and the importance of protecting open space. This award was presented by
Greg Auriemma, chair of the Ocean County Sierra Club, which has been
working closely with Save Barnegat Bay.
Also participating in the ceremonies were BBNEP Policy Committee
members Dr. Jon Larson, President of Ocean County College, which is the
host organization for the Program, Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari,
representing Ocean County, a cosponsor of the Barnegat Bay Festival and Tom
Fote of Toms River, the citizen member of the BBNEP Policy Committee.
More than 50 organizations and agencies exhibited at the festival
highlighting the need to protect the bay and the many enjoyable and
educational activities associated with it.
Freeholder Director John P. Kelly said, "We need to ensure all of our
residents and visitors are aware of how fragile the Barnegat Bay is and
what they can do to keep it a great water playland for our children and
their children. Efforts such as this festival help create public awareness
of the important contributions individuals can make to achieve that goal."
to the Ocean County News Page