2010 Environmental Leadership Award Recipient

Vivian Matuk from the California Department of Boating and Waterways and the California Coastal Commission was awarded the 2010 BoatU.S. Foundation Environmental Leadership Award.  Vivian’s efforts and accomplishments are many. She spearheaded both the "Keep the Delta Clean Program" and the "Boating Clean and Green Campaign." She has supplied support and technical assistance to over 120 governmental agencies on pollution prevention and clean boating and has developed and implemented innovative source reduction and recycling programs.  Vivian knows clean boating issues first hand and has experience with face-to-face boater education, during visits to marinas, launch ramps and boat shows to distribute boater information kits. Vivian is not afraid to tackle the tough clean boating challenges as evidenced through her work on the issues of flare disposal and the development of absorbent exchange programs. Vivian also understands and works to measure the benefits of her efforts to help make the case for continued funding of clean boating programs.

The BoatU.S. Foundation specifically has worked closely with Vivian for many years on a number of programs, specifically their Help Stop the Drops clean fueling program and the Reel In and Recycle monofilament recycling program. Vivian helped to develop the measurement protocols for monofilament line collection and the program is stronger as a result of her research.  She personally oversees over 40 line recycling bins in the state of California and the Foundation knows that a site where Vivian is involved will provide data reporting.  Vivian is a tremendous resource constantly providing perspective from boaters and marinas in California to help inform the Foundation’s national perspective. Vivian’s determination and follow through combined with her positive attitude and technical knowledge have garnered her respect from the national clean boating community and have enabled her to develop effective programs that deliver results.

2009 Environmental Leadership Award Recipient
Gary Klein of Weatherford, Texas, and Tim Horton of Florence, Ala.,were awarded the 2009 BoatU.S. Foundation Environmental Leadership Award.  They understand all too well that in order to catch the big one, we have to take care of our waterways.  They spearheaded a waterway cleanup in advance of the 2008 Professional Anglers Association Corporate Cup on Pickwick Lake. The day before the tournament they organized 13 boats of tournament anglers to clean up the lake.  “We try to leave it better then the way we found it” says Klein, as the tournament anglers hauled in more garbage than the bags could hold – hundreds of pounds of trash, tires and broken chairs. “Professional anglers are at the top of the list of true conservationists. We teach it to youth and we want to show it by our actions…and we live it. Fishing is our passion so we’ll do what we can to preserve it,’ says Horton.

2009 Environmental Leadership Commendations
The Association of Marine Industries of Long island, NY
Punta Gorda Boaters Alliance

2008 Environmental Leadership Award Recipient
Russ Robinson, Recreational Boaters of California

2008 Environmental Leadership Commendations
Chris Wilke - Seattle, WA
Eric Olson - Seattle, WA
Vivian Matuk - San Francisco, CA
Robert Butler - San Diego, CA
Island County Beach Watchers - Coupeville, WA
Scott Hopkins - Marco Island, FL
Peter Hall - Gloucester Point, VA
The Kaskaskia Mariners Association - Marissa, IL
Clyde Ford - Bellingham, WA
Friends of Barren River Lake - Glasgow, KY

2007 Environmental Leadership Award Recipient
H.P. Sandy Purdon, founder of the "Clean Marinas California Program