AWARDEES & PRESENTERS
Excellence in National Stewardship of the Ocean
President Anote Tong of Kiribati
For his role in creating one of the world’s largest and most biologically rich marine protected areas, the Phoenix Islands Protected Area
Presented by Dr. Greg Stone (2011 recipient)
Excellence in Science
Dr. Nancy Rabalais
For her work identifying the Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone and tireless efforts to reduce its upstream causes
Presented by Dr. Steve Palumbi (2011 recipient)
Excellence in Policy
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
For his advocacy for ocean protection in the U.S. Senate and establishing the Senate Ocean Caucus
Presented by Representative Sam Farr (2010 recipient)
Excellence in Solutions
Dr. Geraldine Knatz
For leading the clean-up and greening of major commercial seaports in southern California and globally
Presented by Omar Benjamin
Excellence in Media
Brain Skerry
For his photography and public outreach efforts which offer both wonder and warning on the state of the ocean
Presented by Juliet Eilperin (2011 recipient)
Excellence in Exploration
Ocean in Google Earth
For making discovery and exploration of the ocean world possible for anyone with internet access
Presented by Don Walsh (2010 recipient)
Christopher Benchley Youth Award
Ta’Kaiya Blaney
For her activism and song-writing which has inspired those opposing oil pipeline and tanker terminal plans
Presented by Kyle Thiermann (2010 recipient)
Hero of the Seas
Peter Douglas
For his decades of work assuring public access to and protection of California’s 1,100 miles of coast
Presented by John Laird
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THE EVENT
Blue Frontier Campaign and Wendy Benchley invite you to join them in celebrating eight extraordinary individuals who have made significant contributions in marine conservation and to honor the legacy of Peter Benchley, author of Jaws and lifetime marine conservationist.
The Peter Benchley Ocean Awards are the preeminent ocean awards – unique in acknowledging outstanding achievement across many sectors of society leading to the protection of our coasts and oceans. They bring together the marine community, including elected officials, scientists, authors, photojournalists, and media figures, to recognize those who act on behalf of the oceans and to discuss innovative new ideas for protecting Earth’s largest, most important habitat.
This year’s awards will include a cocktail reception, auction and dinner ceremony held at the beautiful California Academy of Sciences. Each Benchley winner will receive a striking award statue designed by renowned marine artist and ocean activist Wyland.
View the invitations: Long Form Short Form
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The Venue
The California Academy of Sciences** is a one-of-a-kind venue featuring the deepest coral reef exhibit in the world, a 4-story tropical rainforest, a towering T-Rex skeleton, a colony of African penguins, and a fully-immersive digital screen by which to fly to the farthest reaches of the Universe. It is proud to be one of the greenest museums on the planet, with a 2 ½ acre Living Roof, an expansive solar canopy, an extensive water reclamation system, and walls insulated with recycled blue jeans. Blue Frontier Campaign is delighted to host the 5th Annual Peter Benchley Ocean Awards at this stunning and innovative venue. To learn more about the Academy and for directions, visit its website.
View 5th Annual Peter Benchley Ocean Awards in a larger map
**The California Academy of Science is not a sponsor nor does it endorse this event or benefit from any fundraising activities.
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Master of Ceremonies
Jim Toomey is a popular American cartoonist famous for his ocean and shark themed comic Sherman’s Lagoon. Toomey received his B.S.E. from Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering in 1983, an M.L.A. from Stanford University in 1995, and a Master’s of Environmental Management from the Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences in 2008. His cartoon strip, Sherman’s Lagoon, is distributed by King Features Syndicate, and appears in over 250 newspapers in North America and in over 30 foreign countries. A dedicated marine conservationist and sailor, Jim has generously donated his art to a number of marine causes. He is a long-time board member of Blue Frontier Campaign and illustrator of its book 50 Ways to Save the Ocean.
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Where to Stay
Blue Frontier Campaign recommends staying at The Orchard Garden Hotel, San Francisco’s innovative ‘green’ boutique hotel. Nestled in the heart of San Francisco, Orchard Garden Hotel is California’s first generation of true eco-friendly hotels – built to the national standards for ‘green’ buildings developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. Mention Blue Frontier Campaign to receive a 15% discount.
466 Bush Street | San Francisco, CA 94108 | 415-399-9807 | www.theorchardgardenhotel.com
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
BLUE PLANET SPONSOR $25,000 & Up
• Presenting host of private cocktail reception with present and past awardees and top ocean conservation leaders.
• Dinner table for ten (10) guests.
• Recognition from stage as well as in commemorative program and all media promotion.*
• Link on Blue Frontier Campaign website for twelve (12) months.
• Ten (10) copies of 50 Ways to Save the Ocean signed by author David Helvarg and cartoonist/illustrator Jim Toomey.
Purchase
OCEAN SPONSOR $10,000 – 24,999
• Private cocktail reception with present and past awardees and top ocean conservation leaders.
• Dinner table for eight (8) guests.
• Recognition in commemorative program and media promotion.*
• Link on Blue Frontier Campaign website for twelve (12) months.
• Eight copies of 50 Ways to Save the Ocean signed by author David Helvarg and cartoonist/illustrator Jim Toomey.
Purchase
REEF SPONSOR $5,000 – 9,999
• Tickets for five (5) to private cocktail reception with present and past awardees and top ocean conservation leaders.
• Five (5) tickets to dinner.
• Recognition in commemorative program and media promotion.*
• Link on Blue Frontier Campaign website for twelve (12) months.
• Five (5) copies of 50 Ways to Save the Ocean signed by author David Helvarg and cartoonist/illustrator Jim Toomey.
Purchase
MANGROVE SPONSOR $2,000 – 4,999
• Tickets for two (2) to private cocktail reception with present and past Awardees and top ocean conservation leaders.
• Two (2) tickets to dinner.
• Recognition in commemorative program and media promotion.*
• Two (2) copies of 50 Ways to Save the Ocean signed by author David Helvarg and cartoonist/illustrator Jim Toomey.
Purchase
BEACH SPONSOR $750 – 2,000
• Cocktail reception & dinner for two (2).
• Recognition in commemorative program.*
Purchase
* To be included in printed program, commitment must be received by May 15, 2012.
To become a sponsor, please contact us or purchase sponsorship online.
TICKETS
INDIVIDUAL TICKET $250
• One (1) ticket for the cocktail reception and dinner.
PROGRAM ADS
This year, we’re offering you an additional way to participate in the awards: the opportunity to place an ad in the commemorative program. The program cover will feature a photograph by this year’s award recipient for Excellence in Media, Brian Skerry.
$2,000 Full page (fullbleed: 11.25″h x 8.75″w with a live area of 10.5″h x 8″h)
$1,000 Half page (5.5″h x 8.5″w)
$500 Quarter page (5.5″h x 4.25″w)
$250 Eighth page (2.75″h x 4.25″w)
Artwork should follow these guidelines: critical information should be .25″ away from the edge of the ad; artwork should be grayscale; 300dpi; all fonts rasterized or converted to outlines; JPEG, TIFF, PS, AI, EPS, PDF file formats are all acceptable.
Contact us at benchleys@bluefront.org to purchase a program ad. Payment and artwork must be received by May 15th.
HOST & SELECTION COMMITTEES
A very special thank you to the members of the 5th Annual Awards Host and Selection committees.
Host Committee: Jenifer Austin Foulkes, Wendy Benchley, Laura Bowling, Angel Braestrop, Sally Bingham, Maria Brown, Meg Caldwell, Roxy Carter, Deb Castellana, Warner Chabot, Martha DiSario, Dr. Sylvia Earle, John Frawley, Maggy Frias, Scott Fielder, Randy Hayes, David Helvarg, Ted Howard, Mary Kadzielski, Barbara & Greg McGillivray, Jenny Miller Garmendia, Ralph Nader, Wallace J. Nichols, Vicki Nichols Goldstein, George Orbelian, Dr. Steve Palumbi, Susie Reid, Dirk Rosen, Shari Sant Plummer, Dr. Jerry Schubel, Isis & David Schwartz, Mark Shelley, Mark Spalding, Michael Stocker, Mike Sutton, Dr. Greg Stone, Diane & David Toole, Jim Toomey, Lara Tripelli, Charlotte Vick, Dr. David Wilmot, Wyland, and Cindy Zipf.
The 5th Annual Selection Committee was comprised of Wendy Benchley, David Helvarg, Dr. Nancy Knowlton, Dr. Enric Sala, Dr. Greg Stone, and Jim Toomey.
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MEDIA RESOURCES
March 9 Press Release President Anote Tong of Kiribati to Receive Peter Benchley Ocean Award
February 14 Press Release Announcing the 5th Annual Benchley Awardees
February 21 Press Release – CA Long-time Coastal Champion one of 3 California winners to be honored with Peter Benchley Ocean Awardsa
May 2nd Mission Blue profile
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SPONSORS of the 5th ANNUAL AWARDS
Thank you to the sponsors of the 5th Annual Peter Benchley Ocean Awards.
Wine & Bubbly Sponsor: 
Blue Planet Sponsors
Wendy Benchley
Ocean Sponsors
Reef Sponsors
Meg Caldwell
Scott Fielder
Shaw Family Foundation
Mangrove Sponsors
Diane & David Toole
Isis & David Schwartz
Julie Packard
Beach Sponsors
Susan Reid | Shannon & Ted Howard
Auction Item Donors
InterContinental The Clement Monterey, Monterey Aquarium, Dr. Steve Palumbi & Hopkins Marine Station, Mike Sutton, Mark Shelley & Sea Studios Foundation, Paul and Christine Kaplan, Chapellet Estate Vineyards, Isis & David Schwartz, Blue Ocean Film Festival, MARE, Jim Toomey, David Helvarg, Dr. Jerry Schubel & The Aquarium of the Pacific, Oceanic Society, Beach Blanket Babylon, Wyland, Brian Skerry, Claudio Garzon, Courtney Mattison, Ocean First Divers, and Louie Psihoyos, One World One Ocean, Artist Apollo, PlayaViva.
VOLUNTEER
We are looking for dedicated, professional, and motivated volunteers to help make this a spectacular and seamless awards event and show our guests that we have the best volunteers around. Volunteers will assist on a variety of tasks, including setup, breakdown, registration, and general event support. Volunteers will be invited to view the entire awards program.
To volunteer, please email marika@organicevents.org by Wednesday, May 16, 2012 and include your:
- Name and email,
- Any physical or other restrictions you may have, and
- Task and shift preferences:
4:00-6:00 pm Set up (6 spots)
5:00-8:00 pm Greeting and Registration (6 spots)
6:00-8:00 pm Silent Auction greeters (4 spots)
TBD Auction cashout (2 spots)
9:30-11:00 pm Breakdown/strike (4 spots)
