[StBernard] The Gulf Coast Fund for Community Renewal and Ecological Health Receives Gulf Guardian Award

[Westley Annis]

The Gulf Coast Fund for Community Renewal and Ecological Health Receives
Gulf Guardian Award 

(STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - June 9, 2011) - The Gulf of Mexico Program
recently announced that the Gulf Coast Fund of New Orleans, Louisiana will
receive a Gulf Guardian Award for 2011 in the new Cultural
Diversity/Environmental Justice 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. 

            

The Gulf Coast Fund for Community Renewal and Ecological Health is a
community-led philanthropy founded in September 2005 in response to
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. It works to galvanize resources and support
Gulf Coast communities and grassroots organizations to build a just and
sustainable future for the region. The Gulf Coast Fund has distributed
grants to over 200 community and grassroots organizations, and is the only
philanthropic initiative in the region run collaboratively with Gulf Coast
communities. At its core is a community Advisory Group consisting of leading
advocates, experts, and grassroots organizers from across Texas, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. These Advisors play a central role in
forming the Fund's priorities and policies and in directing the Fund's
resources.  The Gulf Coast Fund is dedicated to empowering the historically
disenfranchised communities in the region and creating a civil society
infrastructure that can work collaboratively and strategically for social
change and community betterment. In addition to grant support, the Fund
provides opportunities for grantees to forge networks, make new connections,
strengthen relationships, and increase the capacity and effectiveness of
community organizations.  

  

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 the Gulf Coast Fund for Community Renewal and
Ecological Health, you may contact Barbara Nonas and LaTosha Brown   (504)
522-2423  Barbara at gulfcoastfund.org <mailto:Barbara at gulfcoastfund.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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