Lee Edmiston named Coastal Steward of the Year

Long-time Apalachicola National Estuarine research reserve director Lee Edmiston was one of 11 people chosen for the 2014 Walter B. Jones Memorial Award for Coastal and Ocean Resource Management.

The award is given by NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management; it was created to honor the people and groups for their dedication and contributions in helping the nation maintain healthy coastal and ocean resources while balancing the needs of these resources with human use.

Lee was named a 2014 Coastal Steward of the Year for improving the understanding of the importance of Apalachicola River and Bay system, including the economically important oyster, to the region.

Edmiston worked at the estuarine research reserve for nearly 20 years as the research coordinator and then reserve manager before becoming DEP’s director of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas which put him in charge of Florida’s 41 aquatic preserves, three National Estuarine Research Reserves, one National Marine Sanctuary and the Coral Reef Conservation Program.

He was also a long-time chief judge for the St. George Island Charity chili cook-off. 

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