![[logo] US EPA](../gif/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Gulf Guardian Award Winners 2006
Youth/Education Category - 2nd Place
| Company: | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |  Click on the picture to view a larger size. |
Presentation of the Gulf Guardian Award, 2nd Place, Youth/Education, to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for their project, "Coastal Expo". From left to right, pictured are Jeff Dallarosa, Gulf of Mexico Program Director Bryon Griffith, Kris Shipman, and EPA Region 6 Administrator Richard Greene. |
|
| Project Name: | Coastal Expo | |||
| Location: | Austin, TX | |||
| Category: | Youth/Education |
Recognizing that most of Texas forms the watershed for the Texas coast and that Texans all over the state, not just living along the coast, play a critical role in protecting coastal ecosystem; Texas Parks and Wildlife Department decided to pilot an educational outreach event in 1999 called Coastal Expo. These events are held in major urban areas across Texas and in communities along the coast. Coastal Expo promotes awareness and understanding of the functions and values of coastal ecosystems, primarily targeting minority and urban populations. Since, 1999, TPWD has conducted 44 Coastal Expos across Texas reaching over 100,000 people. The mission of Coastal Expo is to increase the public’s awareness of Texas coastal ecosystems, why they are important and how people can protect them. Coastal Expo raises awareness and builds appreciation, which is the first step in becoming a responsible environmental steward.
