Coastkeepers looking for 2013 Coastal Champions

By Ashley Mackin

San Diego Coastkeeper is accepting nominations for its Coastal Champions awards, which celebrate the people, businesses and organizations taking an initiative to protect San Diego County waters.

The seven winners will be announced on World Oceans Day — June 4 — at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps La Jolla. Nominations are due March 15.

The awards being given out include: Runoff Rock Star, Water Wise, Marine Conservation, Find & Fix, Blue Tech, Lighthouse Award, Volunteer of the Year and the Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS) Award.

Last year, La Jolla-based Hike, Bike, Kayak won both the Marine Conservation Award and the ASBS Award for “building a tourism business that combines recreational activity with education about San Diego’s unique marine ecosystems,” said Christina De Leon, awards coordinator. The ASBS Award was for “Hike, Bike, Kayak’s contribution to protecting one of the most pristine and biologically unique coastal areas in our state ... located off La Jolla’s shoreline.”

Potential award recipients are evaluated on their passion as much as their actions.

“We are looking for passionate and creative individuals, businesses, agencies and groups whose projects are sustainable and effective in protecting and restoring fishable, swimmable and drinkable waters in San Diego County,” De Leon said, adding the organization would also like to see the “common and not-so-common ways people choose to make San Diego’s water better.”

In addition to the custom trophy the winners receive, Coastkeeper promotes the causes dear to winners’ hearts by sending out e-mails and featuring winners on its website and social media, which can access some 9,000 people.

The pre-appointed selection committee made up by San Diego Coastkeeper staff, board members and community volunteers, will read nominations. All nominations are graded on a numbered scale with respect to the project’s measurability, creativity, ability to be replicated, efficiency and sustainability will be taken into consideration.

How to submit your champion

■ Download the nomination form at:

sdcoastkeeper.org

■ Submit the form via e-mail to: give@sdcoastkeeper.org by midnight on March 15.