Inaugural Alaska Marine Gala - Oh What a Night!

The spectacular octopus garden created in the Denaina Center by Char McClelland (GA)

Auction Items on Display at the Gala proved popular with guests! (CM)

Our inaugural Alaska Marine Gala on January 17th, 2010 was one of those experiences one wishes could be captured and replayed again and again - what a fantastic evening!  I want to again thank everyone who helped make the evening such a tangible success.   With some 570 registered participants (we unfortunately turned away @ 40 other inquirers in the last few days as we had no more space), 50 talented volunteers helping out and a superb team of around a dozen staff, the gala really put the Alaska SeaLife Center firmly on the Anchorage Social Map!

Gala Emcee John Tracy and his family with Jean-Michel Cousteau before the gala (GA)

It was fantastic to see such great participation by people from all walks of life – as Board Chair Todd Allen noted during his welcoming remarks at the VIP reception, this event was a big deal for the Center and it was thus really helpful for us to have so many partners, supporters and members engaged in preparing for the event and linked in with the evening program. As you can see from the photos in this blog provided by Glenn Aronwits (see http://www.ga-digitalphotos.com/index.html) and Clark Mishler (http://www.mishlerphotos.com/), the venue was stunningly decorated and we had some very stylish and dapper looking guests, staff, volunteers and Board members present – all of whom had a differering creative interpretation of the "blue tie dress code"!

Distinguished guests, Senator Mark Begich, Jean-Michel Cousteau with IMD (CM)

As Board Treasurer, David Gottstein and others on the event committee have constantly reminded me, this was a ‘friend and profile raising’ event – we now have a lot of re-invigorated and new friends in both the Anchorage and wider marine science community and have built stronger relationships with many key donors and prospective partners in government, industry, the community and in the education sector.  Funds raised from the event are targeted to support our education programs in 2010, particularly Internships and Sea Trek.

I have met with dozens of event attendees over the past 4 days at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium and the overwhelming message is that "we changed the game for marine science week in Anchorage". Dr. Clarence Pautzke from the NPRB commented in his opening remarks that the event is now firmly part of the marine science community schedule – he worries that instead of a gala as a side event for the symposium, the symposium is now in danger of being a side event to the gala!!

Jean-Michel Cousteau receiving a beluga sculpure made especially for the event by local artist Gina Hollomon (GA)

We are meeting with various key event partners (Char McClelland our superb event planner), donors and others key participants over the next 2 weeks to seek their inputs on what we might do better in future. The good news is that we have already locked in the same date and place for 2011 (the Sunday night before the start of the Alaska Marine Science Symposium) - save the date.

We’d very much welcome your thoughts and ideas also on the 2011 gala – please feel free to call me anytime if you’d like to discuss directly or send me a note.
This was on heck of a team effort and I could not be more proud of what we accomplished as a team this first time out!  A big thank you again to our sponsors and supporters (see http://www.alaskasealife.org/ for full details).

Alaksa Ocean Leadership Awards Committee Chair, Arliss Sturgulewski with JMC (CM)

- see next blog below for details

Alaska’s “Ocean Heroes” Recognized at First Alaska Marine Gala

(Press Release 19 January, 2009)

Last Sunday evening, before an enthusiastic audience of nearly 600 guests at the first Alaska Marine Gala at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage, the Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards Committee presented awards to six different organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions to awareness and sustainability of the state’s marine resources.

The Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards were established to encourage and recognize outstanding achievements in marine-focused media, industry, research, education, and resource management. Committee Chair Mrs. Arliss Sturgulewski presented the awards to:

• The Kenai Fjords Tours Marine Science Explorer Program won the award for Ocean Literacy, sponsored by COSEE (Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence, an NSF-funded program). As part of CIRI Alaska Tourism, Kenai Fjords Tours has provided unique vessel-based programs for over 36,000 students and teachers since 1995.

• The Ocean Media Award, for excellence in journalism that has raised public awareness of Alaska’s oceans, went to Elizabeth Arnold, producer of “Encounters: Radio Experiences in the North.” The UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences sponsored the award.

• For his work on mathematical models and fisheries data analysis that has shaped harvest management policies, Dr. Gordon Kruse from UAF was given the Ocean Research Award, sponsored by the Alaska SeaLife Center.

• The Marine Conservation Alliance (MCA) was recognized with the Stewardship and Sustainability Award, sponsored by Mr. Jason Brune. The MCA is a coalition of seafood processors, harvesters, communities, CDQ groups, and support services that has been instrumental in protecting marine ecosystems through sound science and open public processes.

• Governor Walter J. Hickel and his wife Ermalee have endowed the Lifetime Achievement Award for the next 10 years, and the committee decided to recognize two different individuals who have made exceptional contributions to management of Alaska’s coastal and ocean resources over a period 25 years or more. The first award went to Dr. Vera Alexander, Professor Emeritus at the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences and first woman to earn a Ph.D. at UAF. The committee cited Dr. Alexander’s exceptional contributions to marine research.

Senator Ted Stevens earned the other Lifetime Achievement Award, based in part on his role in authoring the Magnuson-Stevens Act that governs marine fisheries management and helps ensure sustainable resource development. Senator Stevens was unable to accept his award in person, but sent thanks and appreciation for the recognition.

Mrs. Sturgulewski, who has served the community as an elected official and on many statewide boards and commissions, chaired the awards committee. Other members included Mike Devlin of Evergreen Films, Dr. Clarence Pautze of the North Pacific Research Board, Jason Brune of the Resource Development Council, and Molly McCammon of the Alaska Ocean Observing Systems, along with SeaLife Center Education Manager, Nikki Nelson.

“These awards attracted widespread interest with more than 20 nominations made in 2009, and they will be a key component of the Alaska Marine Gala in future years.” said Dr. Ian Dutton, Alaska SeaLife Center CEO. “We were delighted to be able to help recognize the great work being undertaken by these ocean heroes.” A plaque recognizing all award winners will be displayed at the SeaLife Center. Calls for nominations for the next round of awards will be made in mid 2010.