Gulf Coast Marine Environmental Excellence Award -which recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions to marine environmental sustainability in the Alabama Gulf Coast Region. Jimbo Meador

For the past six decades Jimbo Meador has shared his expertise on the Mobile -Tensaw Delta and its estuaries. Jimbo's chief aim is to teach people about the ecological necessity of the Mobile Delta to the health of our waterways. He educates and informs the public on the importance of this natural resource and how crucial it is to protect it. Jimbo is a Certified Master Naturalist and uses his custom built boat to take small private groups on excursions into the waters of the Mobile -Tensaw Delta. He's an extraordinary outdoorsman with  vast knowledge of the islands, birds, fish and botanicals located throughout the Delta.  He is passionate about sharing this knowledge to inspire people of all ages about this precious natural resource right in our own backyard.

Gulf Coast Marine Environmental Leadership Award‐Recognizes an organization whose efforts have resulted in the improvement of marine environmental sustainability in the Alabama Gulf Coast Region.  Thompson Engineering Eco Group

• Made up of volunteers from Thompson Engineering and Watermark

• Commit to at least one clean-up a month (if not an organized event, team will clean up area near     office)

• Participates every year in Weeks Bay NERR Clean Up (one year took Thompson's barge)

• Participates in clean ups at requests from clients (i.e., ADSFR at request of MBNEP and   Baykeeper's Bay Bites)

• Participates every year in Alabama Coastal Clean Up -partner in implementing recycling and now   committing 10 volunteers to lead recycling efforts at event

• Recycles at Thompson-sponsored events (i.e., Thompson Rodeo and Funky Monkey SK Run)