February - The Sea Turtle, Inc. is a nonprofit organization funded through public donations and on-site gift shop sales. Sea Turtle, Inc. was founded in 1977 by Ila Fox Loetscher, better known as “The Turtle Lady of South Padre Island.” In 1999, Sea Turtle, Inc. moved from Ila’s backyard into its current location at 6617 Padre Blvd. The mission of the Sea Turtle, Inc. is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured sea turtles, educate the public, and assist with conservation efforts for all marine turtle species. In February 2021, the state of Texas, USA experienced a rapid drop in temperatures and freezing weather endangering the lives of human and animal residents alike.  The freezing temperatures put more than 4900 Sea Turtles on South Padre Island in jeopardy and in danger of dying. When cold stun events happen and the water gets too cold for sea turtles to maintain their body temperature. the turtles are awake but unable to move or swim. If not rescued, while they are awake and alive, the turtles will drown from being unable to lift their head to draw their breath. Sea Turtle Inc. jumped into action reaching out to the community and the team all together worked tirelessly and saved 4900 cold stun patient turtles. 

January - The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy (QCC), conceived by the Right Honourable Frank Field MP, was launched at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta, in 2015. The QCC is a unique network of forest conservation initiatives, which involves all 54 countries of the Commonwealth.

February -  EEC is an organization that provides direct environmental education, focusing on the conservation of environment along with comprehensive yet entertaining information through camping.  Founded on the principles of and passion for environmental conservation and sustainability, EEC Thailand (Environmental Education Centre Thailand) is a leading social enterprise dedicated to environmental education through structured activities centred around classroom and nature.

January - The Farmlink Project is a non-profit organization founded by college students alleviating food insecurity and reducing food waste by connecting farms with a surplus of fresh, nutritious produce to communities in need.  The organization was founded by a group of university students committed to alleviating the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic. When college campuses closed in March 2020 in response to COVID-19, many students found themselves back at home with the urge to help those struggling in the pandemic. The Farmlink Project was born in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and they have plans to become a long-term and sustainable organization in the fight against food insecurity and food waste.

February - Nominated by Dr. Gayle Knapp- GES

For millennia, humans have had the benefit of observing the night skies. It has been only in the last century that technological advances and population growth has led to light pollution that impedes our access to views of the night sky.

As a star gazer, I truly appreciate the efforts of the International Dark-Sky Association (ID-SA). They provide a mechanism for ensuring that we preserve areas from light pollution so that we, people can view the immense beauty of the visible universe [https://www.darksky.org/]. This organization provides help and suggests if you want to get involved (even just in your own home or neighborhood). https://www.darksky.org/get-involved/. 

As a Utahn I am immensely proud of the efforts of our National, State, and County Parks and communities to preserve our view of the night sky. We have, with 15 areas, the largest concentration of ID-SA-certified locations [https://www.visitutah.com/things-to-do/stargazing].  Kudos to the inspiring actions of local citizens AND the Utah State Parks rangers/employees who are dedicated to the Utah State Park’s Dark Skies initiative [https://stateparks.utah.gov/resources/utah-state-parks-dark-sky-initiative/].

January - Panthera is the only organization in the world that is devoted exclusively to the conservation of the world’s 40 wild cat species and their ecosystems.Utilizing the expertise of the world’s premier cat biologists, Panthera develops and implements global strategies for the most imperiled large cats: tigers, lions, jaguars, snow leopards, cheetahs, pumas, and leopards. Representing the most comprehensive effort of its kind, Panthera partners with local and international NGOs, scientific institutions, local communities, governments around the globe, and citizens who want to help ensure a future for wild cats.