Environmental Law Institute - National Wetlands Awards

Maggy Hurchalla’s family moved to Miami in the 1920s, just in time for the 1926 Hurricane-a wall of water and wind that humbled Florida’s boom-time settlers.

Ms. Maggy Hurchalla understood the dynamic nature of Florida's wetlands from a young age, going on to serve as a county commissioner in Florida, where she protected wetlands for 20 years.

As a line walker for Lakehead Pipeline Company, Jim Sweeney would often walk the entire pipeline right-of-way between Elgin, Illinois, and Merrillville, Indiana.

In a successful organization such as Oxbow, Incorporated, a group of dedicated, hard-working people generally form its core.

When Jean Harris and Roma Armbrust call a meeting to discuss preservation of Ormond Beach, environmentalists, property owners, and officials from all branches of government flock to the table.

Molly Brown began her public crusade to protect wetlands and wildlife habitat in Virginia Beach more than a decade ago.

Patricia and Mike McCoy have dedicated the past two decades to preserving Southern California’s wetland resources and to educating the public about their value.

Larry J. Smith and his outgoing personality and unflagging energy have sparked the interest of children, bolstered the efforts of other local activists, and heightened public awareness of the environmental issues faced by the region.

Martin Weeks has proven himself to be a tireless protector of his region’s wetlands.

Since the late-1960s, Aurora Gareiss and Virginia Michels Dent have led a series of battles to save the expansive salt marsh and freshwater wetland complexes surrounding their beloved Littleneck Bay in Queens, New York City.