CONSERVATION CHAMPIONS

Senator Boxer established this award to recognize individuals and organizations that are working to make positive changes to conserve the environment.

2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000

2008

Alex Madsen, Colfax, CA
Alex Madsen from Colfax in Placer County held a fundraiser to benefit environmental organizations who are working to help combat global warming, instead of having a 10th birthday party. Alex wrote letters to local businesses asking them to donate items to be auctioned at his event. He raised $1,450 that he donated to the Sierra Club, Greenpeace and Conservation International. Alex also served as the auctioneer of the event.

When asked why Alex chose to hold a fundraiser instead of have a 10th birthday party he said, “It would be a great gift to turn 10 and make a difference.”

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Juvenile Justice Center, San Leandro, CA
Senator Boxer presented Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson and Alameda County Administrator Susan Muranishi with her Conservation Champion Award for the County’s groundbreaking work in developing the San Leandro Juvenile Justice Center and its Sustainability Program.

Nanosolar, San Jose, CA
Senator Boxer learns about Nanosolar's innovative solar cell technology from Brian Sager (Left), Nanosolar's Co-Founder and Vice President of Corporate Development. After a briefing and tour, Senator Boxer presented Nanosolar with her Conservation Champion Award, for its efforts to develop and deliver cost-efficient solar electricity.

Amyris Biotechnologies, Emeryville, CA
Following a briefing and a tour of Amyris Biotechnologies, Senator Boxer presented her Conservation Champion Award to Amyris co-founder Jack Newman. Neil Renninger, another of Amyris' co-founders, looks on.

Amyris Biotechnologies is a leading innovator in the field of synthetic biology, and has been recognized for its production of an affordable, accessible anti-malarial drug, and the production of renewable biofuels to help reduce global warming.

2007

Tuolumne River Regional Park partners, Modesto, CA
Senator Boxer meets with community officials and park supporters in Modesto, CA. Senator Boxer also presents Conservation Champion Awards to Tuolumne River Regional Park partners.

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2006

Friends at 32nd Street Canyon, San Diego, CA
Senator Boxer awards the Conservation Champion Award to the Friends of the 32nds Street Canyon for their work to protect the City of San Diego's urban creeks and canyons.

The Dunes Center, Guadalupe, CA
Boxer Southern California Director Alton Garrett and Senior Field Representative Adolfo Bailon were on hand in Guadalupe, CA, to present Senator Boxer's Conservation Champion Award to Gillian Andrews, Director of the Dunes Center.

The Dunes Collaborative (pictured at left) is a group of environmental organizations and government agencies that meet regularly at the Dunes Center to discuss issues of concern for the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes.

California Interfaith Power and Light and Temple Emanu-El
Senator Boxer visited with California Interfaith Power and Light Director, Reverend Sally Bingham, Congregation Emanu-El Rabbi Stephen Pearce and Membership Director Terry Kraus, and other members of the congregation about their efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce global warming throughout the faith-based community.

View all the photos from this event.

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Boy Scouts of the 49er District, Galt, CA
The Boy Scouts of the 49er District from Lodi, Woodbridge, Lockeford, and Galt collected discarded Christmas tress from the curbside so that they can be recycled rather than put in a landfill. During the spring, the recycled trees will be used to control soil erosion on Delta levees in the Walnut Grove area.

During the past holiday season alone, the Boy Scouts of the 49er District collected more than 60 tons of trees to be recycled and later used to combat soil erosion on the Delta levees. The idea is to use the trees to create an energy absorbing wall that will significantly reduce the waves’ ability to erode the levee surface. Workers other than the Boy Scouts plant the trees side-by-side along the levee way, placing additional trees within these posts to create the barrier. This method has been proven to be one of the most effective means of stabilizing the levee shoreline without the use of tons of rocks and other materials.

The Boy Scouts who participated in this tree recycling effort demonstrated a great commitment to the preservation of their home region’s waterways.

The Audubon Center at Debs Park, Los Angeles, CA
The Audubon center is completely green; 95 percent of the facility was constructed using recycled materials. The cabinets are composed of sunflower seeds and the construction rebar was made from recycled guns.

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Charleston Elementary School, Los Banos
Boxer Field Representative Ameen Khan presents a Barbara Boxer Conservation Champion Award to a group of school children at Charleston Elementary School in Los Banos on Friday, May 26th.

Students from Ms. Stephanie Sparks' classroom from the Charleston Elementary School in Los Banos designed a special project called "Let Birds Fly" to bring to attention and educate people about the loss of wetlands and bird habitats. The students carried out a number of activities, including the production and distribution of handbooks, door hangers and magnets to inform the public about the effects of feral cats on the bird population.

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PRBO Conservation Science
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has awarded her Conservation Champion Award to PRBO Conservation Science, an organization dedicated to the use of scientific research to guide bird, wildlife and ecosystem conservation efforts in North America and the Pacific Rim.

Here, Boxer Field Representative Michele Moss presents the award to PRBO Senior Scientist Gary Page.

With 125 staff and seasonal scientists, PRBO Conservation Science works on regional, national and international conservation initiatives. PRBO's scientists provide objective research to policymakers and its numerous governmental, non-governmental and private partners about the importance of conserving important bird species and their habitats.

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2005

Linda Krop
Boxer Field Representative Adolfo Bailon (l) awards the Conservation Champion Award to Linda Krop, the Chief Legal Council for the Environmental Defense Center, the only nonprofit environmental law firm between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Krop has been leading the charge against off-shore oil drilling off of the coast of California.

Shadetree Partnership Inc.
Established in 1990, Shadetree Partnership Inc.'s mission is to promote more livable communities through the planting and stewardship of shade trees. Since its founding and sponsoring by the Irvine Ranch Water District, the National Tree Trust, the University of California Irvine, and 110,000 hands-on volunteers, more than 22,000 trees and 8,000 riparian plants and groundcover have been grown, cared for and planted at schools, parks, greenbelts and open spaces throughout Orange County and surrounding areas. Senator Boxer's Orange County representative, Evelyn Garcia, presented the Conservation Champion Award to Dave Lochridge, Tom Bonkowski, Leslie Bonkowski, Kay Phillies and Paul Jones.

Susan Stiltz
In 1985, Susan Stiltz helped to found Tree Fresno, an organization dedicated to planting trees and beautifying Fresno and surrounding communities. In the twenty years since its founding, Stiltz served as a board member, Assistant Director, Executive Director and Projects Director for Tree Fresno and had a direct hand in planting more than 31,000 trees. Here, Tom Bohigian, Senator Boxer’s State Director, gives Stiltz a Conservation Champion Award during her retirement dinner from Tree People.

O’Neill Sea Odyssey
Founded in 1996 by surfer and wetsuit innovator Jack O’Neill, O’Neill Sea Odyssey gives students an up close look at the ocean. Since it was founded, more than 30,000 students have received hands-on lessons about the marine habitat and the important relationship between the living ocean and the environment. The program is conducted on board a 65-foot catamaran, with follow-up lessons at the shore-side Education Center at the Santa Cruz Harbor. All programs are free of charge, in exchange for children providing environmental service back to their community. Senator Boxer's Field Representative, Jennifer Tang, presented the award to O'Neill Sea Odyssey founder Jack O'Neill (pictured on the right).

The Marine Mammal Center
The Marine Mammal Center is an internationally renowned facility, providing state-of-the-art treatment for injured and ill marine mammals. Through its scientific research, it also provides valuable data on marine mammals and their ocean world. The public is invited to visit the Marine Mammal Center to learn more about how to ensure healthier marine environments. In 2004, Senator Boxer helped the Marine Mammal Center obtain $2 million federal funding to build a new hospital.

San Francisco Department of the Environment
Senator Boxer presented her Conservation Champion Award to the San Francisco Department of the Environment. San Francisco has the largest fleet of alternative fuel vehicles in the world, with approximately 800 alternative fuel vehicles in use today. Jared Blumenfeld, Director of the San Francisco Department of the Environment, accepted the award from Senator Boxer.

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2004

Warner School and Community Conservation Program
Sponsored by the Warner Unified School District, the Warner School and Community Conservation Program has an array of conservation efforts including community recycling services, native plant gardening, vermiculture (worm-based) composting, and revitalization of burn areas. The award was presented to Warner USD Superintendent Richard Swanson and teacher Sherri Freeman by Boxer Deputy Southern California Director Humberto Peraza (pictured on the left).

Friends of the Madrona Marsh
The Friends of the Madrona Marsh was created to help promote, preserve and restore the Marsh. The group works with the City of Torrance and the Torrance Unified School District to organize activities, including caring for the native plant garden, restoring habitat, and educating young people. The award was presented by Boxer Field Representative Hattie Stewart (pictured on the front row, far left.)

The Hollywood/Los Angeles Beautification Team (HBT)
Created in 1992, HBT is committed to improving the local community by spearheading a wide range of activities which target at-risk youths. Through educational workshops and vocational training programs that promote a clean and healthy environment, HBT has planted 2,000 trees, abated more than two million square feet of graffiti, and removed more than 30 tons of trash from Los Angeles city streets. HBT has adopted more than 110 public schools, employed 2,500 young people and administered the creation of 250 mural walls.

San Diego Baykeeper
Founded in 1995, San Diego Baykeeper is part of the International Waterkeeper Alliance, an umbrella organization for the more than 110 Waterkeeper programs worldwide. Through advocacy, education, outreach and litigation, San Diego Baykeeper works to preserve, enhance, and protect marine sanctuaries, coastal estuaries, wetlands, watersheds and bays from illegal dumping, hazardous spills, toxic discharges, and habitat degradation. Senator Boxer is pictured on the left with Waterkeeper Alliance President Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Kimbark Elementary School, San Bernardino
Kimbark Elementary School students began their efforts to replant local areas devastated by last year's wildfires and mudslides in March, 2004. The students have since participated in a plan sponsored by Home Depot to reforest 60,000 acres of lands ravaged by the wildfires and are working on a project with California State University, San Bernardino to repot plants and donate them to families to beautify neighborhoods affected by the wildfires. Boxer field representative Alton Garrett presented the award to Principal Karen Hoag and Chad Larson, Student Body President.

Transportation and Land Use Coalition (TALC)
TALC is a leading force in the Bay Area working to refocus public investment to serve and revitalize existing developed areas; design livable communities with housing near jobs, recreation, transit and services; provide real transportation choices; reform pricing incentives to promote sustainable development; and address important issues of fairness. Senator Boxer presented her Conservation Champion Award to TALC after delivering the keynote speech at its Seventh Annual Summit.

East Valley High School, Redlands
Since 2002, students and volunteers at East Valley High School have been helping the Orange County Coastkeeper with a three-year project funded by the Environmental Protection Agency that monitors pollution in the Santa Ana River and its tributaries. Supervised by science teacher Mike Kelly, they take water samples, test for chemicals and turbidity levels, as well as count trash and observe the water for oil residue. The information is then given to the Orange County Coastkeeper to help find sources of the pollution and educate the public.

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2003

Arlington High School, Riverside
Arlington High School's American Lions Team won first place in the state Envirothon and will compete in the national championship in Maryland July 26-31. The Envirothon challenges the students in soils/land use, forestry, aquatics ecology, and wildlife. Boxer field representative Alton Garrett presented the award to Principal Nick Boden, Envirothon Coach Sharri Harris and the American Lions Team at Arlington High School on behalf of Senator Boxer.

Team Members: Ryan Bullard, Laura De Silva, Vanessa Downs, Artemese Evans, Chris Fennell, Ted Grant, Faith Lin, Brittany Martin, Tammy Pham, Kelly Simon, Ross Watson, and Sharri Harris-Coach.

TreePeople, Santa Monica
Founded by Andy Lipkis 30 years ago, TreePeople, through the efforts of its staff and volunteers, has planted millions of trees throughout the Los Angeles area. Its mission is to "inspire the people of Los Angeles to take personal responsibility for the urban forest" educating, training and supporting them as they plant and care for trees and improve the neighborhoods in which they live, learn, work and play.” Through TreePeople’s myriad programs, the organization also addresses the issues of water and energy conservation, flood prevention, storm water pollution, and watershed management.

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2002

Gerald Stoops, San Bernardino
Gerald Stoops of San Bernardino founded the Natural Beauty Program which has mobilized more than 50,000 volunteers and has left a lasting imprint on the local community. In 43 years of community service, Gerald Stoops has worked to reforest two urban forests affected by area wild fires. The reforestation project, which has the best survival rate of any similar project in the southwest, involves at-risk teens from San Bernardino County Juvenile Hall. Senator Boxer presented her Conservation Champion award to Mr. Stoops for his outstanding achievements and ongoing dedicated efforts to preserve the environment.

SunLine Transit Agency
SunLine Transit Agency develops and uses clean fuels in its transit buses and other vehicles. SunLine was the first public transit agency in the nation to convert its fleet to cleaner burning natural gas. Since 1994, SunLine's clean fuel buses have driven 25 million clean air miles. Visitors from near and far, including foreign ministers, ambassadors, energy officials, automakers, energy providers and media have toured the agency to see SunLine's state-of-the-art fuel cell technology firsthand.

Dr. Edgar Wayburn, former National Sierra Club President
Dr. Edgar Wayburn served as president of the Sierra Club in the 1960s. From preserving open hills in Marin County to preserving 104 million acres in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Dr. Wayburn was a true visionary. Among his other great accomplishments include creating the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, California's Point Reyes National Seashore and Redwood National Park. In addition to his numerous environmental awards and accolades, Dr. Wayburn was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award, in 1999.

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2001

City of Monrovia
The City of Monrovia has worked to preserve a prime natural area in the San Gabriel Mountains foothills, including the passage of an Open Space Parcel Tax to help purchase land for a nature preserve. Monrovia has also implemented recreational programs for students throughout the community. Students learn about the wonders of wildlife and plants in a "natural classroom."

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2000

Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR)
Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR) was established in 1986 to help restore the Los Angeles River, which extends from the San Fernando Valley to Long Beach. FoLAR's efforts include creating the Los Angeles River Conservancy to coordinate public management of the river, monitoring and improving water quality, organizing clean-ups and providing educational programs for students throughout the community. FoLAR's goal is to transform the river into a greenway, complete with a network of parks and bikepaths along the river.

Dave Long
The Cabrillo High School Aquarium grew from teacher Dave Long's work with a student and a local doctor on the student's science project, the Warm Water Reef. Since then, the Aquarium has grown into a program considered a model for hands-on student learning and community participation. The Aquarium "staff" are all students, who are given the responsibility for caring for fish and exhibits, managing the website and producing educational newsletters and demonstrations. Long works as a facilitator at the Aquarium and has been influential in the continued success and growth of the program.

Bay Area Bucket Brigades
The Bay Area Bucket Brigades is a program of trained community volunteers who collect samples in special "buckets" after suspected releases of air pollutants. The first Bay Area Brigade was organized in 1994, but the program quickly spread to other cities. The devices have proven so successful that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated Bucket Brigades as a national pilot project to empower communities to learn more about protecting public health and the environment.

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