Youth Awardees Willa Murphy and Eli Grinberg

Marin Conservation League’s 2012 Annual Dinner was held on April 20th at the Key Room, the beautiful event space at Homeward Bound’s New Beginnings Center in Hamilton. The event featured an all-organic buffet catered by Fresh Starts Catering, and locally-produced wines from Pt. Reyes Vineyards.

The evening was kicked off by a welcome and summary of the past year’s successes and highlights by President Susan Stompe, and closed by guest speaker and Chair of the California State Parks Commission Dr. Caryl Hart, who discussed the uncertain future of California’s State Parks.

During the evening, Susan Stompe was re-elected MCL President, and two new directors were named to the Board: Roger Roberts, who returns to the board after a one-year absence, and Judith Teichman.

MCL’s 2012 Awards for Environmental Leadership were presented. Peter Douglas, former chair of the California Coastal Commission, was honored posthumously with the Peter Behr Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to the protection and preservation of California’s coast. Mr. Douglas passed away on April 1. North Bay Watershed Association Executive Director Harry Seraydarian was honored with the Marin Green Award; and the John M. McPhail, Jr. Green Business Award went to Hurricane Hauling and Demolition, Inc. of San Rafael. The Ted Wellman Water Award was given to the North Bay Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and Sir Francis Drake High School seniors Eli Grinberg and Willa Murphy received the Youth Award for Environmental Achievement. The Marin Conservation League Volunteer of the Year Award was given with gratitude to Nona Dennis for her many years of service to the Marin environmental community.

(pictured: David Sherman and Lisa Chipkin of Hurricane Hauling, Dr. Caryl Hart, Mike Arnold and Supervisor Judy Arnold)

The dinner was sponsored in part by Supervisor Judy Arnold, Marin Sanitary Service, Stephanie Moulton-Peters, Seagate Properties, Inc., and David Weinsoff. Classical guitarist Rick Heizman set the evening’s mood.

MCL is grateful to the Annual Dinner Committee of Jana Haehl and Priscilla Bull to all the local businesses and individuals (see sidebar) who graciously donated to the raffle. Kudos to raffle prize gatherer extraordinaire Vicki Nichols, and to dinner photographer Greg Zitney, who also donated his stunning nature photographs for the awards.

Raffle winners were Mary Wendt, Judith Shaw, Sarah Allen, Jana Haehl, Dee Roberts, Stone Coxhead, Catherine Lee and Pat Holden. Congratulations!