![Santa Rosa County resident Sharon Gincauskas' hard work and accomplishments can be measured in marine debris removed from area shores and watersheds — over two tons of trash in 2016 alone. Gincauskas, left, is pictured receiving her Gulf Guardian Award. [Special to the Press Gazette]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-60129549-ec44-500a-e053-0100007f60ac-1eaf2085.jpeg)
ATLANTA — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico Program has recognized Sharon Gincauskas with a second-place 2017 Gulf Guardian Award in the Individual Category.
"Whether for individual recreational use or as an economic engine supporting a wide variety of jobs and industry, the Gulf of Mexico is a vibrant yet vulnerable ecosystem," said Ben Scaggs, Gulf of Mexico program director. "Protecting this national resource requires innovative approaches and proactive measures. The Gulf Guardian award winners are paving the way for "out of the box" thinking and replicable practices."
Gincauskas created a sustainable weekly beach clean-up effort involving volunteers spanning the Pensacola, Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Beach communities.
Each Saturday morning, year round, she presides over a one-hour shore clean-up, directing volunteers, providing supplies and at the end of the hour processing collected marine debris and disposing of the trash.
Her efforts began four years ago when she went out to clean by herself. Soon she brought in friends and neighbors to help clean and today she has a volunteer roster numbering over 200 people, creating Ocean Hour in the process.
Gincauskas’ hard work and accomplishments can be measured in the tons of marine debris removed from northwest Florida’s shores and watersheds — over two tons of trash in 2016 alone.
And her accomplishments are noticed in the warm reception she receives from the community who come out to support her clean-up efforts each Saturday morning.
Ocean Hour has won a supporting grant, been featured in the local press, was invited to join an environmental board and has been included in school events and clubs learning about local environmental activities. Two local universities, the Scouts and local military personnel, among others, work with Gincauskas to better the area shores and waters.
Gincauskas was recognized during an awards ceremony held at the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort in Point Clear, Alabama.
The Gulf of Mexico Program initiated the Gulf Guardian awards in 2000 as a way to recognize and honor businesses, community groups, individuals and agencies taking positive steps to keep the Gulf healthy, beautiful and productive.
First-, second- and third-place awards are given in seven categories: individual, business/industry, youth environmental education, civic/nonprofit organizations, cultural diversity/environmental justice, partnership and bi-national efforts.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico Program began in 1988 to protect, restore and maintain the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem in economically sustainable ways.
The program is underwritten by the EPA and is a non-regulatory, inclusive consortium of state and federal government agencies and representatives of the business and agricultural community, fishing industry, scientists, environmentalists, and community leaders from all five Gulf states.
It seeks to improve the environmental health of the Gulf in concert with economic development.
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This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: West Florida woman wins award for beach cleanups