ST. JOHN ’S RECEIVES GULF GUARDIAN AWARD FOR WORK CLEANING UP COASTAL MARSHES

Wednesday, December 6, 2006

St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ocean Springs is pleased to announce that it has been selected to receive a 2006 Gulf Guardians award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The church received the award for the program called “Clearing the Way”, which coordinated youth efforts to remove hurricane debris that had buried environmentally valuable coastal marshes.

“Stewardship of the environment is a part of our faith,” said Pete Jones, volunteer coordinator at St. John’s . “We are really pleased that we could be a part of bringing back this part of the coastal ecosystem.”

Jones said that dozens of youth groups from churches and schools around the country, representing over 1,000 volunteers, had participated in the effort. The volunteers formed human chains to remove treated lumber, plastics and other debris from areas that heavy equipment could not reach.

Other local churches such as St. Paul ’s Methodist, Christus Victor Lutheran and First Presbyterian of Ocean Springs also participated. St. John’s provided housing, equipment and coordination. One of the most important aspects of the program was education about the importance of coastal marshes to the ecosystem of the Gulf, and how to undertake cleanup without damaging the marshes further. The Ocean Springs based ecological restoration company, Eco-Logic Restoration Services provided special training for the groups.

According to the EPA, the Gulf of Mexico Program Partnership developed the Gulf Guardian awards as a way to recognize and honor the businesses, community groups, individuals, and agencies that are taking positive steps to keep the Gulf healthy, beautiful and productive. The awards are granted to institutions that create innovative solutions and look for creative ways to positively impact our quality of life and economic well being. Every year since, a first, second and third place award are given in six categories: Business, Civic/Non-Profit Organization, Partnerships, Youth/Education, Individual, and Government. St. John’s received first place in the Youth/Education category.

“This award should really go to each of the hundreds of kids and adults who participated in the cleanup, said The Reverend Wayne Ray, Rector of St. John’s . “All we did was give them the tools and the knowledge to work with, and get out of the way.”

The award will be given in a ceremony in New Orleans on December 13, 2006.

For more information contact: Pete Jones, 875-4454 at St. John’s Episcopal Church.