Washington, DC - The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation presents its Volunteer of the Year award to Stephanie Harlan during the Foundation’s annual Leadership Awards Dinner on June 8, 2004 in Washington, DC. Ms. Harlan was selected to receive the honor from among thousands of volunteers who donate their time and talent to the country’s 13 national marine sanctuaries.

Ms. Harlan began her volunteer work for the National Marine Sanctuary Program in the early 1990’s with her tireless efforts to win designation for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. She promoted the sanctuary as both a citizen and member of the Capitola City Council, where she now serves as Mayor. Ms. Harlan has gone on to serve as the Sanctuary Advisory Council Chair for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary since April of 2000.

“I have always considered it community service and part of being a responsible member of the planet,” said Ms. Harlan of her volunteer work for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. “I have met an incredible number of very hard working, dedicated individuals, both staff members and community activists, who continue to inspire me.”

“Stephanie has been a passionate advocate for Monterey Bay,” said Sanctuary Superintendent Bill Douros. “Her efforts have greatly advanced our programs and projects, as well as our visibility in the community.”

Among her many accomplishments, Stephanie Harlan has brought to Capitola the Sanctuary’s Urban Watch Program to help clean local urban runoff, supported annual Water Quality Monitoring, and deployed new signage and other programs of the Sanctuary. She is also the Chair of the Santa Cruz County Sanctuary/Inter-Agency Task Force, which has helped to produce the Santa Cruz County 50 Ways to Get Your Feet Wet in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary brochure.

As an active participant of these groups, Ms. Harlan is also a leader in efforts to implement the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail. This project is a coastal trail that connects the counties of Santa Cruz and Monterey, and their cities, with interpretive signs about the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary throughout the trail. Millions of annual visitors to the Monterey Bay will soon know about the Sanctuary due to Ms. Harlan’s hard work and enthusiasm for the scenic trail project.

“We look for volunteers who have had maximum impact in their communities,” said National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Executive Director Lori Arguelles. “It’s clear that Stephanie not only meets that criteria, but exceeds it with her energy and dedication.”

Ms. Harlan has a full-time job as a nurse and a busy schedule as the Mayor for Capitola. In every aspect of her volunteer work for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, she provides a strong voice, trusted opinion and solid support for the Sanctuary and the National Marine Sanctuary Program.

“As a former school teacher, I feel that we must do everything we can to educate the public about the Sanctuaries, and through this education, there will be a greater understanding of the need to maintain a healthy marine environment,” Ms. Harlan said. “The threats to the marine ecosystems are vast, and much work needs to be
done to protect them. I look forward to continuing to be part of these efforts.”

Stephanie Harlan is not the only Monterey Bay resident to receive an award from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation on the evening of June 8th. The Honorable Sam Farr and four others will also be honored with the Foundation’s Leadership Award. Congressman Farr, and his three fellow House Oceans Caucus Co-Chairs, Congressman Tom Allen of Maine and Congressmen Jim Greenwood and Curt Weldon, both of Pennsylvania, will be recognized by the Foundation for their creation of the Caucus and for their pursuit of oceans related legislation. Senator Olympia J. Snowe, Chair of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee’s Subcommittee on Oceans, Fisheries and Coast Guard will also honored with the Foundation’s Leadership Award.

“We are delighted to recognize these six incredible individuals who have dedicated their lives to building bridges, whether it be between diverse constituencies in the public policy arena, or between communities and government, by filling the much-needed role of volunteer,” said Arguelles.