[StBernard] Awards and Recognition News Release (Region 6): Future Leaders of America's Gulf (FLAF) Receives Gulf Guardian Award

[Westley Annis]

Future Leaders of America's Gulf (FLAG) Receives Gulf Guardian Award 

(STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - June 9, 2011) - The Gulf of Mexico Program
recently announced that the High School youth organization, Future Leaders
of America's Gulf (F.L.A.G.) of Houma, Louisiana will receive a Gulf
Guardian Award for 2011 in the Youth Education Category.  The Awards
ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Gulf of Mexico Alliance
Meeting on August 3, 2011, beginning at 6 p.m in the Ballroom at the Westin
New Orleans Canal Place in New Orleans. 

  

"Future Leaders of America's Gulf" (F.L.A.G.) is a  non-profit organization
formed by high school students focused on educating and informing youth on
the plight of the Gulf Coast region.   It was formed shortly after the oil
spill and is increasingly active today.   Louisiana area high school
students continually join the effort to become civically involved and learn
about the Gulf region that we all call home. As high school students and
concerned citizens of America's Gulf Coast, the mission of F.L.A.G. is to
give the youth of the Gulf Coast a voice to express their thoughts and
opinions on the decisions being made today that will affect their future
tomorrow.  F.L.A.G. aims to keep the coastal youth educated and up to date
on current events regarding these issues, using social networking and other
means that are effective in reaching high school students.  This unique
group of High School students strives to educate, raise awareness, and
influence public opinion (particularly high school students and future
leaders) in a non-partisan manner, on issues that will shape the future of
the Gulf Coast.  They strive to convey to the public the importance of the
natural, coastal, and human resources of the Gulf Coast.  F.L.A.G. has
participated with and presented to the Coastal Caucus of Environmental
Legislators, United States Senator Mary Landrieu,  Lieutenant Governor Scott
Angelle, Governor Bobby Jindal, the Regional Environmental Educators
Roundtable held in Dallas, Texas,  the Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and
John Hankinson, the Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem
Restoration Task Force, an entity established by an Executive Order from the
President. 

  

The Gulf of Mexico Program initiated the Gulf Guardian awards in 2000 as a
way to recognize and honor the businesses, community groups, individuals,
and agencies that are taking positive steps to keep the Gulf healthy,
beautiful and productive.  A first, second, and third place awards are given
in seven categories:  individual, business, youth environmental education,
civic/nonprofit organizations, cultural diversity/environmental justice,
partnership and bi-national efforts. 

  

"The Gulf Guardian Award winners demonstrate great examples of collaborative
efforts leading to solutions that address the Gulf of Mexico environment,"
said EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz.  "Their accomplishments are
making a positive difference in protecting and restoring the Gulf, and EPA
is pleased to recognize their environmental stewardship."                

  

The Gulf of Mexico Program began in 1988 to protect, restore, and maintain
the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem in economically
sustainable ways. The Gulf of Mexico Program is underwritten by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and is a non-regulatory, inclusive
consortium of state and federal government agencies and representatives of
the business and agricultural community, fishing industry, scientists,
environmentalists, and community leaders from all five Gulf States.  The
Gulf Program seeks to improve the environmental health of the Gulf in
concert with economic development. 

  

Gloria Car, Acting Director of the Gulf of Mexico Program said, "This is the
11th year of the Gulf Guardian Awards Program, and I am proud to say that
each year the winners in all categories have represented the very best of
environmental accomplishments in the Gulf of Mexico.  The partnership of the
Gulf of Mexico Program works to improve the environmental health of the
Gulf, and the Gulf Guardian Awards is an important way for us to recognize
these valuable efforts.  The 2011 award winners truly exemplify the
enthusiastic and committed citizens, communities, governments, and
businesses who address complex problems to improve, protect, and sustain our
regional and national treasure, the Gulf of Mexico. 

  

For more information regarding F.L.A.G., Contact: Vincent Cannata  Phone:
(985) 855-6598  info at laflag.org <mailto:info at laflag.org>  

  

  

Editor's Note:  For more information about the Gulf Guardian Awards and the
Gulf of Mexico Program, call the Gulf of Mexico Program Office at
228-688-3726 or visit our web site at http://www.epa.gov/gmpo
<http://www.epa.gov/gmpo> . 

  

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