Since 1992, The Bay Institute has recognized individuals who have helped improve and inspire conservation of the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary and its watershed, from the Sierra to the Sea™. Each year, The Bay Institute honors these individuals with awards in three categories: education, reporting, and extraordinary accomplishment.

Keynote Speaker

Cynthia Koehler
Recipient of the 2013 The Bay Institute Bay Hero Award, executive director of the Water Now Alliance and member of the Marin Municipal Water District board of directors.

2018 Awards Recipients

Carla Bard Education Award:
Jeffrey Michael, Ph.D., Director, Center for Business and Policy Research, University of the Pacific

Harold Gilliam Award for Excellence in Environmental Reporting:
Chris Austin, Blogger

Bay Hero Award:
Whitney Dotson, East Bay citizen activist, EBRPD board member