Skip to main content

Past State 4-H Council President Sean Russell receives a Peter Benchley Ocean Award


What do a West African president, a pair of scientists studying life in the ocean, a 20-year-old veteran of the 4-H Clubs, a Massachusetts Congressman running for a Senate seat and two California women who spent over a decade working to create underwater parks have in common? Theyre among the winners of this year’s top ocean honors, the 6th annualPeter Benchley Ocean Awards.
Named for the author ofJaws, the awards celebrate the life and legacy of Benchley, who, though many people are not aware of it, dedicated much of his life to the protection of sharks and the ocean ecosystems they are a part of. The awards, presented by the non-profit Blue Frontier Campaign and marine conservationist Wendy Benchley, celebrate exceptional efforts leading to the protection of our ocean, coasts, and the communities that depend on them.
The 32 recipients to date include: Presidents Laura Chinchilla of Costa Rica and Anote Tong of Kiribati, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Academy Award-winning director Louie Psihoyos, Port of Los Angeles Director Geraldine Knatz, Retired Navy Captain Don Walsh, the late marine scientist Ram Myers, and the late New Jersey coastal activist Dery Bennett.
On May 15th, each winner will be presented with a Benchley Mantas award sculpture designed by famed marine artistWyland. Past Masters of Ceremony have included explorers Philippe Cousteau,Sylvia Earle, and syndicated Sherman’s Lagoon cartoonist Jim Toomey.

Christopher Benchley Youth Award – Sean Russell

As a high school intern at Mote Marine Laboratory in Florida, Sean Rusell became aware of the problem of marine plastic pollution. In response he founded “Stow It-Don’t Throw It,” a statewide monofilament fishing line recycling program and collaborative effort between youth and environmental groups that has since gone national. In 2011, with the help of Mote Marine Laboratory, Sean led the first Youth Ocean Conservation Summit held in Florida that has now become an annual event. He has also given countless hours to community service projects while serving as a member of the Florida 4-H Program. Twenty-year-old Sean is now a senior at the University of Florida. 

 Via http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/01/24/peter-benchleys-blue-legacy-awards/

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Florida 4-H and United Health Care Launch Partnership Promoting Healthy Living Through Fun, Creative Activities at North Florida Fair

Florida State 4-H representatives join UnitedHealthcare for a check presentation at the "Eat4-Health" partnership launch at the North Florida Fair. Florida 4-H received a $30,000 grant from UnitedHealthcare to promote healthy living. From L to R: Pete Vergott III, District Extension Director, University of Florida IFAS Extension; Heather Kent, 4-H Regional Specialized Agent; Marcus Boston Jr., Extension Agent, Leon County 4-H; Kelly Skidmore, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Florida; and UnitedHealthcare mascot Dr. Health E. Hound (Photo: Sam Holton/Holton Photography). Business Wire Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/11/12/3093682_p2/florida-4-h-and-unitedhealthcare.html#storylink=cpy Eat4-Health partnership includes 10 states, with 4-H youth as health ambassadors reaching other youth and families with messages to fight obesity United Health Care mascot Dr. Health E. Hound participates in 4-H Day at the North Florida Fair, leading hundred ...

MARILYN NORMAN INDUCTED INTO THE NATIONAL 4-H HALL OF FAME

Contact:   Jeannette Rea Keywood, National 4-H Hall of Fame Chair, 609-827-0199, reakeywood@njaes.rutgers.edu                            MARILYN NORMAN INDUCTED INTO THE NATIONAL 4-H HALL OF FAME CHEVY CHASE, MD (October 11, 2019) – Dr. Marilyn Norman of Asbury, Iowa was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame on October 11 for her lifetime achievements and contributions to 4-H. Honored by the University of Florida/IFAS Extension and the Florida 4-H Youth Development Program, Norman was one of 16 people inducted during the ceremony at the National 4-H Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The National 4-H Hall of Fame honorees are nominated by their home states, National 4-H Council; the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA) ; or 4-H National Headquarters/National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), ...

It All Began With Agriculture

4-H has always taught life skills to youth, and it all began with agriculture. Florida 4-H began as a program to teach farming methods to rural youth and became a community-based program that taught millions of young Floridians how to “Learn By Doing”.  “Agriculture is firmly cemented in the foundation of Florida 4-H and thanks to the resources of the University of Florida IFAS Extension and a nationwide network of extension professionals, agriculture remains an important part of Florida 4-H programming.” Shaumond Scott, State 4-H Communications Coordinator. In 1909, UF Dean of Agriculture J.J. Vernon organized corn clubs for boys in Alachua, Bradford and Marion counties.   Clubs for girls followed in 1912.   After 1915, Florida A&M University directed a program for African American youth.   The clubs were part of a national movement that became known as 4-H and is now one of the largest youth organizations in the country.   4-H o...