Ocean Awards Gala Honorees
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation recognizes excellence in marine and Great Lakes conservation at its annual Ocean Awards Gala.
The Leadership Award honors political leaders who demonstrate a commitment to ocean, coastal and Great Lakes stewardship. Through their work on policy and governance, Leadership Award honorees elevate attention of the marine and Great Lakes environment through support of sound science and conservation. They champion change and action to protect these environments and their natural and cultural resources for future generations. Previous recipients have included President Bill Clinton, President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, and Senator Ted Stevens.
The Lifetime Achievement Award honors those whose work has exceptional impact on ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes science, conservation, exploration, and/or policy. Past recipients include Dr. Robert Ballard, Dr. Sylvia Earle, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Adm. James D. Watkins, the Hon. Leon Panetta, and numerous other government leaders, academics, and conservationists.
The Sanctuary Wavemaker Award honors a National Marine Sanctuary System volunteer who has made outstanding contributions to their local national marine sanctuary. The recipient is chosen from the top honorees recognized each year by their individual sanctuaries across the entire National Marine Sanctuary System.
The Conservation Innovation Award recognizes a company or foundation for their significant contributions to marine and Great Lakes conservation and the protection of natural and cultural resources through the support of sound science, exploration, policy-making, advocacy, and/or innovative partnerships.
Past Gala Honorees
2023:
Leadership Award: Congressman Raúl Grijalva of Arizona and Congressman Ed Case of Hawai’i
Sanctuary Wavemaker Award: Solomon Pili Kahoʻohalahala and William J. Ailā Jr.
2022:
Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Marcia McNutt
Sanctuary Wavemaker Award: Diving with a Purpose
Conservation Innovation Award: Eric and Wendy Schmidt and the Schmidt Ocean Institute, 11th Hour Racing, Schmidt Marine Technology Partners, and the Schmidt Family Foundation
2019:
Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Nancy Knowlton
Sanctuary Wavemaker Award: Francesca Koe, Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
Conservation Innovation Award: Walton Family Foundation
2018:
Lifetime Achievement Award: Gordon and Betty Moore
Volunteer of the Year: Will Benson, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Conservation Innovation Award: BBC
2017:
Leadership Award: The Honorable Suzanne Bonamici, U.S. Representative, Oregon
Lifetime Achievement Award: Roger and Vicki Sant
Volunteer of the Year: Kevin Powers, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
Conservation Innovation Award: Esri
2016:
Leadership Award: The Honorable Maria Cantwell, U.S. Senator, Washington
Lifetime Achievement Award: Nainoa Thompson
Volunteer of the Year: Captain Scott Hickman, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
2015:
Leadership Award: President & Mrs. George W. Bush
Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Jeremy Jackson
Volunteer of the Year: Richard Matzinger, Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
2014:
Leadership Award: The Honorable Carl Levin, U.S. Senator, Michigan
Lifetime Achievement Award: The Honorable William Ruckelshaus & The Honorable Norman Mineta
Volunteer of the Year: Robyn Walters, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
2013:
Leadership Award: The Honorable Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Senator, Rhode Island
Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Jane Lubchenco
Volunteer of the Year: Paul Petrich, Jr., Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
2012:
Leadership Award: President Bill Clinton
Lifetime Achievement Award: Captain Don Walsh, USN (Ret)
Volunteer of the Year: Ron Armonath, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
2011:
Leadership Award: The Honorable Ted Stevens, U.S. Senator, Alaska
Lifetime Achievement Award: Wolcott Henry
Volunteer of the Year: Randy Rudd, Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary
2010:
Leadership Award: The Honorable Lois Capps, U.S. Representative, California; The Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, U.S. Representative, Florida
Lifetime Achievement Award: Julie Packard
Volunteer of the Year: Steve Kroll, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
2009:
Leadership Award: The Honorable Madeleine Z. Bordallo, Delegate to the House of Representatives, Guam
Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Robert Ballard
Volunteer of the Year: Josh Churchman, Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary
2008:
Leadership Award: The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives; The Honorable Barbara Mikulski, U.S. Senator, Maryland
Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Sylvia Earle, Jean-Michel Coutseau
Volunteer of the Year: Mary Cantini, Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
2007:
Leadership Award: The Honorable Lynn Woolsey, U.S. Representative, California
Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Robert M. White
Volunteer of the Year: Brian Dively, Monitor National Marine Sanctuary
2006:
Leadership Award: The Honorable Judd Gregg, U.S. Senator, New Hampshire; The Honorable Norm Dicks, U.S. Representative, Washington;
Lifetime Achievement Award: Adm. James D. Watkins, The Honorable Leon Panetta
Volunteer of the Year: Linda Paul, Papahanamokuakea Marine National Monument
2005:
Leadership Award: The Honorable Daniel Inouye, U.S. Senator, Hawaii; The Honorable Vernon Ehlers, U.S. Representative, Michigan; The Honorable Wayne Gilchrest, U.S. Representative, Maryland
Lifetime Achievement Award: The Honorable Lowell Weicker, Governor and U.S. Senator, Connecticut
Volunteer of the Year: Kimokeo Kapahulehua, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
2004:
Leadership Award: The Honorable Olympia Snowe, U.S. Senator, Maine; The Honorable Tom Allen, U.S. Representative, Maine; The Honorable Sam Farr, U.S. Representative, California; The Honorable Jim Greenwood, U.S. Representative, Pennsylvania; The Honorable Curt Weldon, U.S. Representative, Pennsylvania.
Volunteer of the Year: Stephanie Harlan, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
2003:
Leadership Award: The Honorable Ernest F. Hollings, U.S. Senator, South Carolina; The Honorable Jim Saxton, U.S. Representative, New Jersey
Volunteer of the Year: Gordon Bennett, Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
Questions or Comments?
For more information about Capitol Hill Ocean Week, please contact us at conference@marinesanctuary.org. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact development@marinesanctuary.org.