Well done Damon Moorerecipient of the Dr. Nancy Foster Habitat Conservation Award 2024 at the recent Restore America’s Estuaries’ Coastal and Estuarine Summit in Washington, DC
The award, presented by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the American Fisheries Society, recognizes exceptional achievement and dedication to habitat conservation in the coastal marine environment.
Damon Moore is the founder and executive director of Oyster River Ecology and former environmental program manager for Manatee County.
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, through perseverance, has helped create or improve more than 2,000 hectares of wetland and upland habitat. and leadership.
Take the 150-acre expansion to Robinson Preserve. Completed in 2021, Damon has incorporated climate change considerations into its design, allowing upland coastal areas to withstand future sea level rise while accommodating the migration of estuarine habitats.
As president of the Manatee Fish & Game Association, Damon also helped lead a 2020 referendum to generate up to $50 million in funding in Manatee County. The funds help acquire, improve and restore coastal areas, provide public access and protect water resources and wildlife habitat.
· Manatee County Sheriff’s Detective Darryl Davis is 55.
· Braden River Middles 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 South East: the new science building was dedicated to Rev. Theodore Tilliswho served as a science teacher, department chair, dean and assistant principal as a district educator for more than 30 years.
· That’s 10 years of marital bliss Crystal 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 Larisa Okhman.
· Julie Eberly is 39. Again.
· Manatee Highs Mikey Bowes received the honor as Mr. Sugar ‘Cane during the dance team’s annual fundraiser. Carson Reynolds came second. Colin Littlefield was elected Mr. Sugar ‘Cane Choice.
· Finally, my brother, Jimmya fellow Eagles fan, went to a tent in South Jersey with friends to watch last Sunday’s Cowboys game. Jimmy hasn’t had a drink in over thirty 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 is open on 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
