WILLIAM DOUROS
THE PANETTA SEA STAR AWARD

William J. Douros, esteemed recipient of the Foundation’s highest honor, the Panetta Sea Star Award, has made extraordinary contributions to marine conservation through his leadership roles at MBNMS and as West Coast Regional Director since 2006. His tenure saw groundbreaking initiatives including the expansion of the sanctuary to encompass the Davidson Seamount and the establishment of the Sanctuary Exploration Center. Douros’s visionary approach and dedication have fostered a culture of collaboration and stewardship, profoundly impacting the long-term protection of our oceans.  

Among his many accomplishments, Douros co-hosted the National Ocean Conference in 1998 with President Clinton and Vice President Gore, emphasizing ocean policy. He played a crucial role in adopting recommended maritime tracks in 2000 and initiated the first Snapshot Day, a volunteer-driven water quality monitoring event. Douros launched the Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network (SIMoN) in the same year, enhancing ecosystem monitoring and decision-making. His establishment of the Multicultural Education for Resource Issues Threatening Oceans (MERITO) program in 2001 underscores his dedication to inclusive marine education. 

Douros’s leadership extended to major expansions of marine sanctuaries, including the Cordell Bank and Greater Farallones sanctuaries, and the nomination of St George Unangan and Chumash Heritage sanctuaries. His efforts in forging partnerships, advocating for diversity, and collaborating with various stakeholders have advanced marine conservation and public education. Through these initiatives, Douros has significantly contributed to preservation of our MBNMS and regional marine ecosystems.

LORA LEE MARTIN
RESEARCH

Lora Lee Martin, Sea Star honoree for Research, is a visionary leader with over three decades of success advancing public policy. Her extraordinary work expanded the research infrastructure and capabilities of the Monterey Bay Research Crescent including securing the relocation of key federal agencies to Santa Cruz; USGS Pacific Marine Geology Group and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Tiburon Laboratory. She spearheaded the creation of large-scale research collaborations including as co-PI for the CenCOOS ocean observing system. Martin led the creation of the Monterey Bay Crescent Ocean Research Consortium (MBCORC) fostering collaboration among 26 institutions and served as chair 2006-2009.  

Her lasting impact includes the UCMBEST Center and leading negotiations to secure property for the CSUMB campus, the future home of NOAA’s MBNMS.  Her groundbreaking work in Sacramento created the country’s first state legislative policy fellowship for PhD scientists, expanding science policy expertise in California.    

Martin’s advocacy included marine conservation and education with Camp SEA Lab and Save the Sea Otters. Her expertise has been nationally recognized through election as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).  

Martin’s vision and dedication has resulted in the expansion of regional research facilities and personnel, new federal research programs, critical research funding, research collaborations, and countless research publications, all of which have significantly advanced our understanding, study, and protection of MBNMS and marine environments.

BRIDGET HOOVER
RESOURCE PROTECTION

Bridget Hoover is recognized in the Resource Protection category for her more than 20 years of leadership in water quality management within MBNMS. As the only water quality expert in the entire Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) system, Hoover has played a pivotal role in developing and implementing critical programs like the Citizen Watershed Monitoring Network, First Flush, Snapshot Day, and Urban Watch. These initiatives have engaged the community in essential data collection efforts, empowering volunteers to contribute to the sanctuary’s mission of keeping its waters clean and healthy. 

Under Hoover’s guidance, the water quality programs have expanded significantly, including the Snapshot Day program’s extension to all of California’s coastal counties. Her ability to secure substantial grant funding has also enabled the development of watershed restoration projects across the Central Coast. Bridget’s leadership has fostered robust partnerships among industry, academia, government, and non-profit organizations, forming a network that continues to collaborate on innovative strategies to protect sanctuary water quality. 

Hoover’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion has ensured that agricultural water quality programs engage not only landowners but also the workers, with bilingual positions to better serve Spanish-speaking constituents. Her expertise and dedication have earned her widespread recognition from peers and community leaders, who appreciate her unwavering efforts to protect and enhance the sanctuary’s ecosystems.

SHARED ADVENTURES · DAY ON THE BEACH
BUSINESS, RECREATION & TOURISM

LED BY FOSTER ANDERSEN

Shared Adventures’ Day on the Beach program has been selected in the Business, Recreation & Tourism category due to its commitment to making the ocean accessible to all. Celebrating its 30th year in 2024, Shared Adventures has organized “Day on the Beach,” a free, annual event that allows special needs individuals to engage in ocean activities like kayaking, SCUBA diving, outrigger canoeing, and beach chair ocean rides/flotation, providing a unique opportunity to connect with the sanctuary.

Each year, over 300 people with special needs, their families, friends, and 250 volunteers come together for a day filled with ocean recreation and entertainment. A 5,700 square foot plywood platform is constructed on the sand to ensure accessibility for all participants, who enjoy adaptive recreational ocean activities, live music, food, sandcastle building, and more. Attendees from ages 4 to 83 have traveled from across the country to participate in this unique program.

“Day on the Beach” provides the opportunity for those who might otherwise lack access to ocean interaction and connection to feel the power, inspiration, and the “sanctuary” our marine sanctuary can provide.

ONE COOL EARTH
EDUCATION & OUTREACH

LED BY KATHARINE RONDTHALER KRIEG

One Cool Earth nonprofit organization is being honored in the Education & Outreach category for its innovative approach to environmental education. Since 2020, this nonprofit has connected students from Title 1 schools to the MBNMS through virtual programs and in-person field trips. These experiences have brought the sanctuary’s rich biodiversity into classrooms, inspiring students to become future environmental stewards. Their programs have also supported the training of educators in environmental literacy, ensuring the impact of their work extends far beyond the initial outreach.   

One Cool Earth’s co-creation of the San Luis Obispo Environmental Education Coalition is a groundbreaking initiative that coordinates with other organizations, public agencies, and schools by sharing valuable resources to empower students with the knowledge they need to care for our coast. Their Earth Genius Curriculum, a series of lesson plans developed in partnership with NOAA B-WET and the Marine Debris Program, explores and emphasizes the importance of environmental stewardship. Their efforts and dedication to reaching underserved communities have significantly contributed to fostering a new generation of environmentally conscious youth who are eager to protect and preserve our sanctuary.