Well done to Damon Moore, recipient of the 2024 Dr. Nancy Foster Habitat Conservation Award at the recent Restore America’s Estuaries’ Coastal and Estuarine Summit in Washington, D.C.
Presented by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and American Fisheries Society, the award recognizes exceptional achievement and dedication to habitat conservation in the coastal marine environment.
A restoration ecologist with more than 20 years of experience completing high-impact projects in Southwest Florida, the ’97 Bayshore High alum and executive director at Oyster River Ecology has helped to create or enhance more than 2,000 acres of coastal wetland and upland habitat through perseverance and leadership.
Take the 150-acre expansion to Robinson Preserve. Completed in 2021, Damon incorporated climate change considerations into its design, allowing coastal upland areas to withstand future sea level rise while accommodating estuarine habitat migration.
As president of the Manatee Fish & Game Association, Damon also helped lead passage of a 2020 referendum to generate up to $50 million in funding in Manatee County. The funds help acquire, improve and restore coastal lands, provide public access and protect water resources and wildlife habitats.
· Manatee County Sheriff’s Detective Darryl Davis is 55.
· Braden River Middle’s Kimberlain Zenon-Richardson and Southeast High’s Craig Page are the Manatee School District’s Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year, respectively.
· Speaking of Southeast, its new science building was dedicated to Rev. Theodore Tillis, who was a science teacher, department chair, dean and assistant principal for over 30 years as a district educator.
· That’s 10 years of wedded bliss for Krystal and Brent Laudicina.
· And five for Brittany and Matt Kitchie.
· Manatee Memorial Hospital’s outstanding Pharmacist of the Year is Kayla Bartel and Pharmacy Technician of the Year is Larisa Okhman.
· Julie Eberly is 39. Again.
· Manatee High’s Mikey Bowes took honors as Mr. Sugar ‘Cane at the dance team’s annual fundraiser. Carson Reynolds was runner-up. Colin Littlefield was voted Mr. Sugar ‘Cane Choice.
· Lastly, my brother, Jimmy, a fellow Eagles fan, joined friends at a joint in South Jersey to watch last Sunday’s Cowboys game. Jimmy hasn’t had a drink in more than 30 years, but he has the luck of the Irish. At the end of the third quarter, the bar raffled off a sweet Saquon Barkley jersey.
Jimmy won.
Vin’s People runs Sundays. Email Vin Mannix at vinspeople@gmail.com. Or call 941-962-5944. X: @vinmannix.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: VIN’S PEOPLE: Manatee County ecologist honored with conservation award
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