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GOVERNMENT & POLICY AWARDS
PROFESSIONAL & PROJECT AWARDS
STUDENT AWARDS
BEST RESTORED BEACHES
BEST RESTORED SHORES
GOVERNMENT & POLICY AWARDS
ASBPA awards federal officials and members of Congress who champion coastal causes at the national and/or local level. The awards nomination process is now open. These awards are bestowed during the National Coastal Summit.
How Do I Nominate?
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. Nominations are due February 4th.
Please submit your entry via the online form.
All nominations should include a brief description of accomplishments, with support materials or additional information optional. Supporting letters or other information should be submitted as a PDF upload (max file size 20 mb). If you have any questions, please email managing@asbpa.org.
Congressional Awards
ASBPA awards members of Congress for their work in advancing policy to help beaches and coastlines. Nominations may recommend one of the following awards, but the Awards Committee will determine the appropriate award.
Coastal Advocate
ASBPA’s highest congressional award, a lifetime achievement award for a Member of Congress.
Friend of the Coast
Congressional award for shorter term or more project-specific contributions.
Congressional Staffer Award
The Congressional Staffer award will be given to a single staff member for his or her efforts both to promote beach preservation and to facilitate project requests in the past.
The Corps of Engineers Award
This award honors a member of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who contributed to the cause of beach management and preservation. These can be staff from the district who make projects happen, or staff from divisions, headquarters, ERDC or elsewhere who have improved the Corps’ coastal capabilities.
Agency Award
The Agency award will be given to a single staff member at a federal agency (other than the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) for his or her efforts to promote beach preservation or advance and implement policy to improve the health of U.S. coastlines.
Friend of the Coast Media Award
This award will be given to an individual journalist or media outlet for exceptional coverage of coastal news.
- Nomination should include a list of accomplishments and/or news story(ies) by the nominee.
- Nominate here.
PROFESSIONAL & PROJECT AWARDS
ASBPA awards coastal professionals who excel in their profession and/or have extensively contributed their time and talents to ASBPA. We also award a beach restoration project that has stood the test of time and continues to benefit the local community. These awards are bestowed during the National Coastal Conference.
How Do I Nominate?
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. Nominations for 2022 open May 10 and close August 1.
Please submit your entry via the online form.
Supporting letters or other information should be submitted as a PDF upload (max file size 20 mb). If you have any questions, please email managing@asbpa.org.
Morrough P. O’Brien Award
The Morrough P. O’Brien Award is ASBPA’s highest award, given 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; and/or 2) for major direct contributions to ASBPA.
- Nomination should include a list of accomplishments and letters of support (optional).
- Nominate here.
Robert L. Wiegel Coastal Project Award
The Robert L. Wiegel Coastal Project Award is given in recognition to a coastal project that has stood the test of time and has shown a positive environmental, social, or recreational benefit.
- Nominations should 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.
- Nominate here.
Robert G. Dean Coastal Academic Award
The Robert G. Dean Coastal Academic Award is given 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.
- Nomination should include a list of accomplishments and letters of support (optional).
- Nominate here.
Gooderham Media and Communications Award
Gooderham Media and Communications Award will be granted to a media or communications professional who has excelled in communicating the value of our nation’s coasts, to encourage recognition of individuals from traditional media out–lets and other public media platforms. The award will be presented at the annual meeting.
- Nomination should include a list of accomplishments and/or news story(ies) by the nominee.
- Nominate here.
Member of the Year Award
The Member of the Year Award is an award to be given 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.
- Nomination should include a list of accomplishments and letters of support (optional).
- Nominate here.
Rising Star Award
The Rising Star Award is an award to be given annually to a new professional or recent member of ASBPA for their commitment of time, talent, and treasury to furthering the goals and objectives of the ASBPA since they first became involved with the organization. Nominees should not have previously won any ASBPA award.
- Nomination should include a list of accomplishments and letters of support (optional).
- Nominate here.
STUDENT AWARDS
ASBPA awards students in coastal fields who have demonstrated talent and shown promise to become future leaders in the coastal professions. These awards also come with small monetary prizes. These awards are announced during the National Coastal Conference.
How Do I Apply?
Any student can submit an application that outlines their accomplishments according to the specific requirements listed below. Applications are due August 1.
Please submit your entry via the online form.
Application materials and information should be submitted as a PDF or Word upload (max file size 20 mb). If you have any questions, please email managing@asbpa.org.
Nicholas Kraus Coastal Scholar Award
The Nicholas Kraus Coastal Scholar Award is given annually to a graduate student who aspires to advance his or her knowledge and experience of coastal 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.
The award winner must attend the National Coastal Conference to receive the award.
- Applications must include a curriculum vita and a paper addressing why the student 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.
- Apply here.
James Houston Coastal Economics Scholar Award
The James Houston Coastal Economics Scholar Award is given annually to an undergraduate or graduate student who, through his or her research, is furthering the state of beach coastal or riverine economics as it relates to the goals and mission of the ASBPA. The subject matter is encouraged to be as wide reaching as possible, including economic benefits of beach restoration, benefit cost analysis of beach restoration projects and any other research that includes benefits derived from beach, dune, riverine, and coastal restoration projects. This award includes a $500.00 cash stipend and will be awarded to the student at either the ASBPA National Coastal Conference or the ASBPA Coastal Summit.
The award winner must attend the National Coastal Conference or the National Coastal Summit to receive the award.
- Applications must include a curriculum vita and a paper addressing why the student is interested in becoming the ASBPA’s Coastal Economics Scholar. The paper should include previous experience, education, future goals, as well as expectations of the Coastal Economics Scholar Award position. The paper should not exceed five pages in length, single-spaced.
- Apply here.
This is a new award so there are not yet any past winners.
Student Coastal Advocate Award
The Student Coastal Advocate Award is given 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 is expected to attend the Coastal Summit in Washington, DC.
- Applications must include a resume or curriculum vita, a paper addressing why the student is interested in becoming the ASBPA’s Student Coastal Advocate, and contact info for two professional references (either academic or work related). The paper may 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.
- Apply here.
Student Educational Award
The Student Educational Award is given annually to an undergraduate or graduate student who, through his or her research, is furthering the state of science of coastal systems as it relates to the goals and mission of the ASBPA. Any research pertaining to coastal science is eligible for consideration. The award includes a $500 cash stipend.
Award winner is expected to attend the ASBPA National Coastal Conference 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.
- Applications must consist of a curriculum vita and paper suitable for presentation and publication. 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.
- Apply here.
BEST RESTORED BEACHES
What is a Best Restored Beach?
For more than 30 years communities around the United States have been restoring their beaches. Although some areas are relatively new to the process, others have a long history of successful replenishment projects. In many cases, the restoration process is so well established that beach enthusiasts are not even aware they are enjoying a restored beach! This often occurs when a community has a large seasonal population and the beach restoration occurs when seasonal residents are not there to see it.
Beach restoration places sand on the beach to increase its width and height, in combination with building high and wide dunes on the back beach. This increases a shoreline’s resiliency, increases the beach’s ability to mitigate storm damage and flooding from severe storms. Additionally, restoring the beach is one of the best methods to allow the beach to naturally adjust to short-term sea level rise and remain an important part of the nearshore ecosystem.
The three important reasons for restoring beaches are:
- Storm protection — A wide sandy beach and high dunes help separate storm waves from upland structures and infrastructure thus reducing the impacts of erosion and flooding
- Habitat restoration — Numerous species rely on wide, healthy beaches as a place to live, feed, and nest
- Recreation — America’s beaches have twice as many visitors annually (more than 2 billion) as all of America’s national parks combined. The combined revenue from beaches and beach-related U.S. tourism is $1.3 trillion, with $124 billion in in annual taxes going to all levels of government.
The 2022 Best Restored Beach Nominations are now closed and will reopen on February 1, 2023.
Click for a list of past award winners.
BEST RESTORED SHORES
What is a Best Restored Shore?
The ASBPA recognizes projects which address natural resource restoration to enhance shoreline resiliency by addressing environmental degradation, storm impacts, climate change, and sea level rise which all increasingly threaten the nation’s coastal, estuarine and Great Lakes communities. ASBPA understands the time, effort, and money that it takes to restore or enhance an inland or bay shoreline, and we want to recognize your accomplishments. Whether your project involves an estuary or Great Lake, a mangrove or an oyster reef – if it resulted in recreating thriving habitats or improved water quality to benefit multiple uses and aid local economies, we invite you to nominate a project for a Best Restored Shores award.
Nominations can include:
- Back bay projects
- Living shoreline projects (including large freshwater lakes)
- Beneficial use of dredge material for environmental outcomes
- Seagrass, shellfish, reef, and other submerged habitat projects
- Wetlands, mangroves, and other intertidal habitat and shoreline enhancement, restoration, or creation
- Urban waterfronts (where coastal habitat restoration, green design and materials are key aspects)
All nominations should be for projects that have completed construction two years prior to award nomination. This is to allow more complete reporting on successful outcomes and lessons learned.
Who Can Nominate a Best Restored Shore?
Representatives of coastal communities or stakeholders can nominate a restoration project. Projects demonstrating economic benefits, quantifiable ecological outcomes, and innovation (in design, construction, and/or partnering/funding) will be most favorably reviewed.
The 2022 Best Restored Shores Nominations are now closed and will reopen on April 1, 2023.