Notable Habitat Conservation Expert Honored with 2024 Dr. Nancy Foster Habitat Conservation Award
Damon Moore Honored with Prestigious Habitat Conservation Award
Damon Moore, a restoration ecologist with over two decades of experience in southwest Florida, has been honored with the 2024 Dr. Nancy Foster Habitat Conservation Award. The American Fisheries Society and NOAA bestowed this recognition upon Moore for his significant contributions to estuarine habitat restoration initiatives in the region.
Moore is the founder and president of Oyster River Ecology, a non-profit organization that has been instrumental in transforming the coastal ecosystem of southwest Florida. Under his leadership, the volunteers of Oyster River Ecology have installed over 18,000 native plants, assembled and planted oyster reef substrate, and removed exotic species from more than 28 acres of land.
One of Moore's most notable achievements is the development and implementation of a cost-effective oyster restoration technique. This innovation has led to the enhancement of more than 2,000 acres of coastal wetland and upland habitat. Moore's work extends beyond metrics, focusing on inspiring community collaboration and environmental stewardship. He organizes numerous opportunities for others to connect with nature, including field trips, clean-ups, and workshops.
The Robinson Preserve, a 150-acre expansion in Manatee County, is an example of Moore's leadership. The design of the preserve elevates pedestrian trails, infrastructure, and habitat plantings 3 feet above the median 100-year sea level rise projection. This forward-thinking approach ensures the preserve's resilience in the face of climate change.
The Robinson Preserve design includes features to maximize habitat for juvenile stages of Florida's popular recreational species like snook and tarpon. Moore incorporated recommendations from local fisheries experts into the design, further demonstrating his commitment to creating sustainable and effective restoration projects.
Moore's work has also extended to policy-making. He helped lead the passing of a 2020 referendum that generates up to $50 million in conservation funding in Manatee County. This funding will support numerous habitat restoration projects in the region.
NOAA is a partner on the first property acquisition for conservation using these funds. The Robinson Preserve is a testament to the impact of Moore's work, as it stands as a model for sustainable and effective habitat restoration in southwest Florida.
Moore joins 26 previous winners of the Dr. Nancy Foster Habitat Conservation Award, an esteemed group of individuals dedicated to preserving and protecting marine and coastal ecosystems. This recognition underscores Moore's significant contributions to the field and his status as a leading figure in estuarine habitat restoration initiatives in southwest Florida.
- Damon Moore's work in estuarine habitat restoration, demonstrated through his innovative oyster restoration technique and leadership in projects like the Robinson Preserve, showcases his significant contributions to environmental-science, particularly climate-change related efforts and sustainable living.
- Moore's dedication to community collaboration in environmental stewardship and inspiring others, as seen in his numerous workshops and clean-ups, aligns with his lifestyle of personal growth and the broader movement towards education-and-self-development.
- Owing to the 2,000 acres of enhanced coastal wetland and upland habitat resulting from Moore's cost-effective oyster restoration technique, homeowners can embrace sustainable-living practices by supporting water conservation and local, science-based habitat restoration initiatives.
- Considering the resilience design of the Robinson Preserve, which anticipates a 3-foot elevation above the median 100-year sea level rise projection, habitat restoration efforts can play a crucial role in adaptive solutions to climate change affecting home-and-garden areas.
- By organizing field trips, clean-ups, and workshops, Moore has not only bolstered environmental-science education through his non-profit, Oyster River Ecology, but also ignited a passion for nature and environmental conservation among his followers.
