Page 17 - Boca Exposure - January '24

Boca Exposure, Page 17
Coastal Stewards “Winter Wishes Celebration”

Event Presents Awards for Marine Life Conservation

The Coastal Stewards, a nonprofit conservation life appreciation and conservation,” said John Holloway, The Coastal Stewards also honored the unsung heroes
organization formerly known as the Gumbo Limbo Coastal CEO and president of The Coastal Stewards. “We’ve since of coastal conservation during its inaugural “Coastal
Stewards, held a late December Winter Wishes event at evolved into a cornerstone of our community, steadfast Stewards of the Year” awards presentation. Individuals
Manatee Lagoon in West Palm Beach. The event, which behind the scenes in our dedication to environmental and organizations whose tireless efforts have made a
was attended by 200 guests, featured presentations by stewardship. Facing challenges head-on, we’ve remained significant impact on the preservation and promotion of
esteemed marine life conservation experts, an awards resilient. Now, we’re set to amplify our impact.” ecosystems and marine life were celebrated. Honorees
presentation recognizing the Coastal Stewards of the Year, The Winter Wishes event featured presentations by included: Gabi Castillo, recipient of the Robyn Morigerato
the inaugural Coastal Stewardship LEGO Challenge, and marine life conservation experts, dubbed “Experts in Fellowes Scholarship; Anya Gupta and Caleb Caponera,
much more. the Round,” that explored the various components of recipients of The Coastal Stewards Youth Conservationist
During the event, the organization also announced its marine life conservation, including such critical issues as of the Year Awards; and Dr. Jeannette Wyneken, recipient
rebranding, which includes a name change: the nonprofit habitat preservation, species protection and sustainable of The Coastal Stewards Lifetime Achievement Award.
is now officially known as The Coastal Stewards, and the management practices. Finally, the evening was also host to the “Brick by Brick:
expansion of the organization’s conservation efforts to Participating panelists included biologist and Director Coastal Stewardship LEGO Challenge,” which featured
include the preservation, rescue, rehabilitation, research of the FAU Marine Lab, Dr. Jeanette Wyneken; Stephen LEGO creations from builders ages 5 to 16 years. The
and release of manatees, beaked whales and dolphins, as McCulloch, who has four decades of working with both competition ranked contestants on who best embodied the
well as sea turtles. Going forward, The Coastal Stewards the marine mammal zoological industry and the global spirit of coastal stewardship in their build. The winners of
will also focus on the preservation of marine ecosystems conservation research communities; and Dr. Thomas the competition were Ariel and Xander, who showcased the
as a whole, including the conservation of seagrass beds, Reinert, the south regional director for the Florida Fish lifecycle of sea turtles flourishing within the marine system.
which are crucial to the survival of marine life. and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the state’s Second place went to Anya, who illustrated what our beaches
“For over 40 years, we’ve been at the forefront of marine fish and wildlife agency. look like now, versus what they may look like in the future
if we continue to treat our planet the way we do.
“Our roots are in education, so one of our top priorities
remains The Coastal Stewards Youth Leadership Council,”
added Holloway. “Our mission is to inspire young minds
by connecting them directly with the wonders of our
coastal ecosystems and to create the next generation
of passionate professionals dedicated to solving the
environmental challenges we’ll continue to face in the
years to come.”
About The Coastal Stewards
The Coastal Stewards was established in 2012 as
Friends of Gumbo Limbo and is an independent 501(c)
(3) nonprofit organization that sponsors marine life
conservation. The mission of Coastal Stewards is to
inspire people to support the stewardship and research
of coastal and marine ecosystems. In 2023, The Coastal
Stewards expanded its focus on the rescue, rehabilitation,
research and release of sea turtles to incorporate marine
life including seagrass, dolphins, manatees and whales.
Learn more at www.thecoastalstewards.org.