Nominations are open for the 2024 Raincoast Ocean Science Awards
We are accepting nominations for worthy individuals and groups striving to protect lands, waters, and wildlife through science, Indigenous Knowledge systems, and public engagement.
Last year, Raincoast hosted the inaugural Raincoast Ocean Science Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements by individuals and groups striving to protect lands, waters, and wildlife through science, Indigenous Knowledge systems, and public engagement.
This was the first time that Raincoast hosted this event, continuing the legacy of the Murray A. Newman Awards at the Vancouver Aquarium, which began in 1995. Recipients from past awards include David Suzuki, Daniel Pauly, Cristina Mittermeier, Brian E Riddell, Chris Darimont, Danielle Shaw, Rashid Sumaila, John Reynolds, and Verena Tunnicliffe, to name a few.
The 2023 awards were presented at a special dinner event at Seasons in the Park restaurant in Vancouver and was attended by many visionaries and changemakers. Awards were distributed to the following outstanding individuals and organizations:
- Dr. Paul Paquet, senior scientist with the Raincoast Conservation Foundation – The North Award for Lifetime Contribution to Coastal Conservation
- Dr. Andrea Reid, citizen of the Nisga’a Nation and an Assistant Professor with the University of British Columbia’s Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries – The Newman Award for Excellence in Conservation and Research
- Desiree Lawson, member of the Haíɫzaqv (Heiltsuk) Nation and currently studying mariculture and clam gardens for her master’s research at Simon Fraser University – The Raincoast Student Award
- Ikaarvik, an organization connecting Arctic people, cultures and knowledge systems – The Nightingale Award in Ocean Engagement
The 2024 awards will be presented at a dinner event, tentatively set for Oct. 30 at the Polygon Gallery at Lonsdale Quay, North Vancouver.
Nominations are open for the 2024 Raincoast Ocean Science Awards
We are excited to announce that the nominations are open for the 2024 Raincoast Ocean Science Awards until August 15th. Please nominate individuals and groups using our Google Form.
Ocean Science and Conservation celebrated since 1995
These awards have served to celebrate ocean science and conservation in British Columbia, since their establishment in 1995 as the Murray A. Newman Awards at the Vancouver Aquarium. Raincoast is proud to be able to continue this legacy. Raincoast has been applying a unique model of informed advocacy to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife of coastal BC for over 25 years. All of our projects are rooted in rigorous, peer-reviewed research and science, and informed by community engagement.
North Award for Lifetime Contribution to Ocean Conservation
The North Award for Lifetime Contribution to Ocean Conservation is granted to an individual whose lifelong commitment to ocean conservation provides an example to all.
The Newman Award for Excellence in Conservation and Research
The Newman Award for Excellence in Conservation and Research is presented to an individual, team, or organization for significant work and/or an entire career of leading contributions in ocean research and/or conservation.
The Raincoast Student Award
The Raincoast Student Award recognizes outstanding research undertaken by graduate students.
The Nightingale Award in Ocean Engagement
The Nightingale Award in Ocean Engagement provides an opportunity for individuals or organizations to make an impact in improving the world’s oceans through engagement activities that harness knowledge and science. The award includes a bursary of $25,000 to support initiatives that enable the public to be inspired, learn, and participate in advancing ocean conservation.
You can help
Raincoast’s in-house scientists, collaborating graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and professors make us unique among conservation groups. We work with First Nations, academic institutions, government, and other NGOs to build support and inform decisions that protect aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and the wildlife that depend on them. We conduct ethically applied, process-oriented, and hypothesis-driven research that has immediate and relevant utility for conservation deliberations and the collective body of scientific knowledge.
We investigate to understand coastal species and processes. We inform by bringing science to decision-makers and communities. We inspire action to protect wildlife and wildlife habitats.
