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The Mobile Bay National Estuary Program announced their seventh annual Stewardship Award Winners at Bay Area Earth Day, April 13. The awards were handed out as part of the annual earth day celebration held at the Fairhope Pier Park. The yearly awards recognize good stewards who are proactive in environmental endeavors. The 2003 awards were given to Teko Wiseman, Tensaw EcoTours, the Coastal Conservation Association, the Urban Planning Department within the City of Mobile, and Joe Copeland with the Forever Wild Program. *********** winner information ********** Individual Teko Wiseman Teko Wiseman has contributed to the health and beauty of our estuary through continuous efforts to educate the community about smart growth, healthful transportation and outdoor recreation opportunities. Teko is best known for her work to develop a system of bike paths though out Baldwin County. Her leadership and commitment has resulted in the approval of a Gulf Coast trail. She is a cornerstone member of the Baldwin County Trailblazers and also works with “Keep Mobile Beautiful”. Teko has remained faithful, dedicated, and active in her pursuits. Government Urban Planning Department, City of Mobile It is a difficult balance to maintain growth while retaining the charm of Mobile. The Urban Planning Department staff with the City of Mobile has developed a ‘smart growth initiative’. This initiative involves strict ‘stick with the zoning control’ already developed within the City and has brought the development community forward to discuss timely development issues. With a listening development community, the Urban Planning Department created smart growth alternatives to existing regulations. These alternatives have been embraced by many in the general public as well as the development industry and may prove to be excellent habitat management and protection for the Mobile area. Business Tensaw EcoTours You may have seen the sign driving along the Causeway or perhaps seen them out in their boats in the Delta. The folks at Tensaw EcoTours have been supporting community activities and environmental actions since they put their first canoe in the water in 1999. From canoes to airboats, this business not only takes people out into the environment we all love, but they also offer education while there. In addition, not an event goes by that they don’t offer their services, free of charge, to help clean up the area. They don’t just offer their equipment; their muscle comes along with it. Non-profit Group Coastal Conservation Association CCA of Alabama is dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of marine resources along coastal Alabama and beyond. Since 1982, they have been working to promote the health of marine resources through education, enforcement, habitat enhancement and by maintaining a presence in legislative and regulatory arenas where fishery resource issues are decided. In South Alabama, they have contributed to a number of ongoing projects and made significant contributions to the development and participation in the recent Derelict Crab Trap Recovery Program. Special Award Joe Copeland Joe Copeland formed “The Friends of Forever wild”. He doesn’t live in South Alabama. In fact, he lives in Cullman, Alabama. But what Joe did, will have an impact here as well as statewide. By forming the Friends of Forever Wild, Joe helped Forever Wild secure $50,000 to sponsor a personalized license plate. Joe put his money where is mouth is. Most of the $50,000 Joe Copeland donated himself. With the license plate established, proceeds from their sales will go directly to Forever Wild. This revenue will be used solely to purchase and protect more Alabama land. Over 100,000 acres of land have been purchased in the Mobile Tensaw Delta through the Forever Wild Program and more lands have been acquired throughout the state. Mr. Copeland has helped set the foundation for future purchases that will benefit all Alabamians.For More Information: Contact Lee Yokel, (251) 431-6409
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