Bolsa Chica Conservancy Presents Conservator of the Year Award, Friends of the Conservancy Award

Dec. 20, 2012 - PRLog -- HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Dec. 19, 2012 – The Bolsa Chica Conservancy (http://www.bolsachica.org)  honored the Orange County Water District (OCWD) (http://www.ocwd.com) with the 2012 Conservator of the Year award at the annual Conservator of the Year luncheon at the Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel on Friday, December 7, 2012. David and Margaret Carlberg received the Friends of the Conservancy award and Ross Griswold was honored with the Chairman’s award.

The prestigious Conservator of the Year award was presented to the OCWD for its leadership in environmental conservation in groundwater quality, reliability and sustainability on a regional basis. Other OCWD programs included in this recognition are its highly acclaimed Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS), the Hotel/Motel Water Efficiency Program, the Children’s Water Education Festival, the Arundo donax removal program in the Santa Ana Watershed, the Prado Wetlands treatment system and animal habitat, dairy-engineered wetlands project and various groundwater clean-up programs throughout Orange County

Phil Anthony accepted the award on behalf of the OCWD. “As conservators, we try to save every drop of water we can,” said Phil Anthony, first vice president of the OCWD board of directors. “Our goal is to keep the water basin filled so we have a continual water source that we can pump to the homes and businesses in the 21 Orange County communities serving 2.4 million customers.”

David and Margaret Carlberg accepted the ‘Friends of the Conservancy’ award based on their four decades of commitment to the preservation of the Bolsa Chica Wetlands. "We have lived in this area for 44 years and have always enjoyed participating in the goal of preserving and restoring the wetlands, and are honored to be a part of the major environmental strides that have taken place through those years because of so many dedicated volunteers to this cause,” said Margaret Carlberg.

Ross Griswold was awarded the Chairman’s award based on his commitment of time, talent and treasure to advance the mission and goals of the Bolsa Chica Conservancy. “We have a gem in our backyard that provides hours of science and environmental education and healthy outdoor activity for all ages,” said Griswold, an avid naturalist and conservation volunteer.  “My work with the Bolsa Chica Conservancy allows me to work on programs that protect habitat for birds and wildlife native to the area, and to ensure that people have a place to go locally to learn about and enjoy nature first hand.” Griswold supports the Conservancy’s work through the Griswold Foundation and actively participates in water-based clean-up efforts, monitoring of endangered and threatened species and conducting monthly bird surveys.

About The Bolsa Chica Conservancy
The Bolsa Chica Conservancy, located in Huntington Beach, California, is a private non-profit organization established in 1990 to advocate education and public awareness, restoration and preservation of the Bolsa Chica Wetlands.  Its principal mission is to inspire all generations through community involvement and hands-on education on coastal resources, watersheds and wetland science. For more information on the Bolsa Chica Conservancy, visit www.bolsachica.org.