PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: November 10, 2016
Contact: Sean Cooley, Communications Manager, 850-999-1030, scooley@audubon.org 

 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Department of Environmental Protection’s Mimi Drew was recently honored with the Gulf Champion award at Audubon Florida’s annual Assembly. This Gulf of Mexico themed event hosted more than 300 conservation leaders from across the Sunshine State. Drew was honored for her Gulf restoration leadership including the negotiation of a robust settlement for Florida after the BP oil spill. She currently serves as a member of the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustee Council and as a RESTORE Council Representative on behalf of the State of Florida.

 

“I commend Former Secretary Drew for her years of service to protecting and restoring Florida’s natural resources,” DEP Secretary Jon Steverson said. “Her continued dedication has resulted in numerous projects that not only restore the Gulf ecosystem, but also ensure that Floridians and visitors can enjoy the Gulf beaches.”

 

With a degree in environmental engineering, Drew has devoted her career to public service, working for the Department of Environmental Protection and ultimately retiring as DEP Secretary. During her service with the agency, Drew was highly regarded for her leadership on Florida water policy and fighting for legislation to prohibit wastewater discharges on Florida’s Atlantic Coast. After her time as Secretary, Mimi was drawn back into service to lead Florida’s Gulf restoration efforts.

 

“Gulf restoration presents an opportunity as big as Deepwater Horizon was disastrous, and this opportunity for conservation must not be squandered,” said Eric Draper, Audubon Florida’s Executive Director. “The Gulf needs champions, and I can think of no bigger champion than Mimi Drew. The future of our Gulf of Mexico is brighter because of her leadership today.”

 

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PHOTO:
Mimi Drew with National Audubon Society’s President and CEO David Yarnold
https://fl.audubon.org/files/mimi-drew-audubon-assembly