ASBPA announces call for National Coastal Conference Awards

The American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) is accepting nominations for the 2019 Science, Project, and Professional Awards including the Morrough P. O’Brien Award, the Robert L. Wiegel Coastal Project Award, the Bob Dean Coastal Academic Award, and the ASBPA Member of the Year Award. Student awards include the ASBPA Student Educational Award, the Nicholas Kraus Coastal Scholar Award, and the Student Coastal Advocate Award.  Awards will be presented at the National Coastal Conference, Oct. 22-25 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The Morrough P. O’Brien Award is presented annually to an individual or organizational member of ASBPA on the basis of 1) an outstanding record in achieving the objectives and ideals of ASBPA; or 2) for major direct contributions to ASBPA. Any ASBPA member can submit a nomination that outlines the accomplishments of the nominee and the basis upon which the nomination is being put forth. The winner will be invited to attend the National Coastal Conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina from Oct. 22-25.

Galveston Beach is presented with the 2018 Robert L. Wiegel Coastal Project Award

The Robert L. Wiegel Coastal Project Award is presented in recognition to a coastal project that has stood the test of time and has shown a positive environmental, social, or recreational benefit. Nominations must include a statement of objectives of the project and the major design features; evidence that the project achieved the desired objectives with a minimum of five years since completion; the environmental, social, recreational and other effects of the project should be described; a statement identifying the agencies and individuals responsible for planning, designing and constructing the work and the individuals that will receive the award; and the cost of the project. The award will be presented at the 2019 ASBPA National Coastal Conference October 22-25 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The Robert G. Dean Coastal Academic Award is presented in recognition of an academic who has made significant contributions furthering the community’s understanding of coastal science or engineering and in fostering young coastal scientists or engineers. The award will be presented at the 2019 ASBPA National Coastal Conference October 22-25 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The ASBPA Member of the Year Award is an award to be presented annually to an individual on the basis of their giving of time, talent, and treasury to furthering the goals and objectives of the ASBPA during the previous year. The winner will be presented the award at the 2019 ASBPA National Coastal Conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Nominations for Science, Project & Professional awards can be made via the online form. 

Dr. Katie Brutsche awards Luke Boutwell the 2015 Ph.D. Level Educational Award.

The ASBPA Student Educational Award is presented annually to an undergraduate or graduate student who, through his or her research, is furthering the science of coastal or riverine systems as it relates to the goals and mission of the ASBPA.

The award includes a $500 cash stipend and it is expected that the Educational Award winner will attend the 2019 ASBPA National Coastal Conference in Myrtle Beach (for which the registration fee will be waived), and present his or her findings to the coastal community. Additionally, the winner is strongly encouraged to submit their award nomination paper for peer review by the editorial staff of Shore & Beach, the ASBPA’s technical journal, and possible inclusion in a future issue.

Entries must consist of a curriculum vita and paper suitable for presentation and publication (for non-electronic submissions, please provide five hard copies of the entire nomination package). Any subject pertaining to coastal science is eligible for consideration. Representative subject areas include natural processes (waves, currents sediment transport), ecology (habitat, ecosystem function), water quality (pollution sources, remedies), economics (cost/benefits of beach projects) and human impact on the coast (coastal structures, dams, restoration projects). The paper may include figures, tables, and photographs and should not exceed 10 pages in length, single-spaced, including references.

The Nicholas Kraus Coastal Scholar Award is presented annually to a graduate student who aspires to advance his or her knowledge and experience of coastal or riverine science through an internship with ASBPA. The winner will become the dedicated staff member for the ASBPA’s Science and Technology Committee. The Coastal Scholar will work hand-in-hand with practicing coastal experts to develop technical position papers with the Committee; and serve as the liaison for ASBPA with other graduate students in coastal

sciences. The Coastal Scholar will work from their home institution and will participate with the ASBPA via conference calls and email. In addition to the experience of working with coastal experts, the award includes a $600 cash stipend paid in quarterly payments of $150.

Award winner must attend the 2019 ASBPA National Conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (for which the registration fee will be waived) to receive the award. Entries must include a curriculum vita and paper addressing why the candidate is interested in becoming the ASBPA’s Coastal Scholar. The paper should include previous experience, education, future goals, as well as expectations of the Coastal Scholar Award position. The paper should not exceed five pages in length, single-spaced.

Executive Director, Derek Brockbank, presents the 2017 Student Coastal Advocate award to Bianca Charbonneau

The Student Coastal Advocate Award is presented to a graduate or undergraduate student who aspires to advance his or her knowledge of and experience in federal coastal policy and advocacy through an internship with ASBPA. The winner will become the dedicated staff member for the ASBPA’s Government Affairs Committee. The Student Advocate will work hand-in-hand with practicing coastal experts to develop policy position papers with the Committee and participate in advocacy efforts seeking to influence federal policy via agencies or Congress. The Coastal Advocate will work from his or her home institution and will participate with the ASBPA via conference calls and email. In addition to the experience of working with coastal experts, the award includes a $600 cash stipend paid in quarterly payments of $150.

Award winner must attend the 2020 ASBPA Coastal Summit, in Washington, DC (for which the registration fee will be waived) to receive the award.  Entries must include a resume or curriculum vita, a paper addressing why the candidate is interested in becoming the ASBPA’s Student Coastal Advocate, and contact information for two professional references (either academic or work related). The paper should include previous experience, education, future goals, as well as expectations of the Student Coastal Advocate position. The paper should not exceed two pages in length, single-spaced.

Applications for Student Awards can be made via the online form.

Nominations for Science, Project and Professional awards must be received by August 2, 2019 via the online form.

The deadline for Student award applications is September 6, 2019 via the online form.

If you have any questions, please call (239) 489-2616.