Outstanding Habitat Champion Recognized Through 2024 Dr. Nancy Foster Habitat Conservation Award

NOAA and the American Fisheries Societyare thrilled to honor Damon Moorewith the 2024 Dr. Nancy Foster Habitat Conservation Awardat Restore America's Estuaries' Coastal & Estuarine Summit. Damon is a restoration ecologist with more than 20 years of experience completing high-impact projects in southwest Florida. Through his perseverance and leadership, he has helped to create or enhance more than 2,000 acres of coastal wetland and upland habitat. But Damon's accomplishments expand beyond metrics alone-he puts communities at the center of his work, inspiring collaboration and environmental stewardship for generations to come.

Robinson Preserve Innovations

One of many outstanding examples of Damon's leadership is th 150-acre expansion to Manatee County's Robinson Preserve, located along the southern part of Tampa Bay. This project was completed in 2021, but as early as 2012, Damon incorporated climate change considerations into the design of the preserve. His plans allow coastal upland areas to withstand future sea level rise while also accommodating estuarine habitat migration.

Damon also built a partnership with local fisheries experts for the preserve designs. He incorporated recommendations for sportfish nursery features, helping maximize habitat for juvenile stages of Florida's most popular recreational species-snook and tarpon. Additionally, he advocated for the design to elevate pedestrian trails, infrastructure, and habitat plantings to 3 feet greater than the median 100-year sea level rise projection.

Inspiring Communities

Damon's childhood experiences in nature inspired him to share his passion with others, especially children and young adults. Over the years, he has organized hundreds of opportunities to help others connect with the outdoors. These events include field trips, marsh plantings, trash clean ups, exotic species removals, plant identification forays, and workshops focused on preparing oyster planting substrate.

As Kris Kaufman, marine habitat restoration specialist with the Office of Habitat Conservation's Restoration Center, remarks, "Damon's influence is felt throughout the region because of his expertise, personality, and infectious approach to conservation. He's a brilliant and engaging storyteller who has the ability to educate, motivate, persuade, and promote stewardship."

Oyster River Ecology and Local Leadership

Most recently, Damon's drive to enhance coastal habitats of southwest Florida inspired him to found the non-profit Oyster River Ecology. Under Damon's leadership, Oyster River Ecology has logged nearly 2,500 volunteer hours. These volunteers have installed more than 18,000 native plants, removed exotic species from more than 28 acres of land, assembled and planted oyster reef substrate. They also innovated a new cost-effective oyster restoration technique, and helped lay the groundwork for large-scale oyster habitat restoration in the Manatee River.

Damon is also president of the Manatee Fish and Game Association. In this role, he helped lead the passing of a 2020 referendum, which will generate up to $50 million in conservation funding in Manatee County. These funds are already helping the county to acquire, improve, and restore coastal lands, while also providing public access and protecting water resources and wildlife habitats. NOAA is a partner on the first property acquisition for conservationusing these funds.

Congratulations, Damon!

About the Award

Winners of the Dr. Nancy Foster Habitat Conservation Award must demonstrate exceptional achievement and dedication to habitat conservation in the coastal, riverine, or marine environment. Mr. Moore joins 26 previous winnersof this prestigious award.

Dr. Nancy Fosterfounded NOAA's Office of Habitat Conservation, Restoration Center, and Chesapeake Bay Office. In her 23 years at NOAA, she created a legacy as a pioneer and visionary in understanding coastal and marine ecosystems and their conservation. NOAA's habitat conservation work spans some of the largest and most valuable ecosystems and supports the nation's fisheries, protected species, and coastal communities.

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