Loggerhead Marinelife Center recently received a first-ever Adopt-A-Park award from the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department at the C3: Coastal Conservation and Concert last month.
LMC was selected for the “Environmental Excellence Award” for its commitment to Loggerhead Park through its monthly beach clean-ups and underwater clean-ups at the Juno Beach Pier, as well as partnering with PBC Parks and Recreation to plant pond apple trees at the Juno Dunes.
“LMC has been a great partner with the county for many years and in many ways,” said Kara Cowser, volunteer coordinator at Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation. “They encompass conservation in all that they do and we are proud to have them as a partner to further environmental stewardship for all of Palm Beach County. I am glad we are able to honor their contributions to our community and parks system.”
The Adopt-A-Park program began more than 20 years ago in an effort to reduce park and beach debris. Since its inception, Palm Beach County has gained more than 20 adopted parks.
The Adopt-A-Park award was created to honor a group who goes above and beyond the call of monthly park cleanups and embraces environmental stewardship in all aspects of their organization, according to Cowser.
“Adopt-A-Park is a great way to help keep our beaches and parks clean while also giving community non-profit and private partners the opportunity to give back through volunteering their time and efforts,” said Cowser. “Last year our groups had over 7,500 Adopt-A-Park volunteer hours and collected more than 20,000 pounds of trash.”
“We are honored and truly grateful to have received the Environmental Excellence Award from the PBC Adopt-A-Park program,” said Tommy Cutt, chief conservation officer. Our long-standing relationship with Palm Beach County’s Parks and Recreation Dept. is one of the reasons we’re able to continue protecting local coastal ecosystems, and we look forward to expanding these efforts in the future.”
Other recipients of an Adopt-A-Park awards at C3 were Andrea Whitaker of Pura Vida Divers and Katelyn Cucinotta with Sea to Shore Alliance. Friends of Jupiter Beach, another recipient, was unable to attend the event.