The Turtle Island Award is given annually to those who made a major environmental contribution to this land which is known as Turtle Island to many American Indian tribes.   We have been honoring the recent recipients at our annual Marin Powwow.

Previous Award Recipients

2024 – George Forman was awarded the Turtle Island Award at the Second Annual Marin Powwow. Mr. Forman, a groundbreaking attorney, has fought in court for Native rights in California for the last 55 years. From preventing Native children from being taken from their parents to trying civil rights issues in the Supreme Court, his legal advocacy helped save over a dozen tribes from termination, restore Native sovereignty, grant fishing rights and secure the ability to run casinos, which are associated with greater community resources and health outcomes for tribal residents.  His landmark legal work set a precedent for Native law in California, and its ripple effects are likely immeasurable.

2023 – Jean Berensmeir was awarded the Turtle Island Award at the First Annual Marin Powwow on March 19 at Miller Creek Middle School. Jean was instrumental in preserving Marin County’s open spaces and in providing environmental education to Marin County’s youth.

2008 – STRAW.  On Saturday, November 8, 2008, we presented our “Focus on Turtle Island” award to the Bay Institute for their Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed (STRAW) program. They have worked on over 30 restorations each year – using creeks and wetlands as “hands on” laboratories to directly involve students in rebuilding the health of the watershed. Some of their work has been done with Native American teachers. We were honored to acknowledge their efforts to help preserve the environment for future generations.

2007 – Marin Audubon Society for its efforts to protect and restore Marin and Bay area habitats to make them better places for wildlife and people.

2006 – Habitat Media for its work in film and television “that increases public awareness of environmental issues and inspires personal action”.

2005 – Marin Conservation Corps for its work in developing youth and conserving natural resources for a strong, sustainable community.

2004 – Marin Beyond Pesticides for its work to protect our environment and our children from the many dangers of pesticides.

2003 – Marine Mammal Center for its work rescuing and rehabilitating marine mammals.

2002 – WildCare for their work in nature education and wildlife rehabilitation.

2001 – Don Neubacher, Superintendent of Point Reyes National Seashore for their outstanding job juggling tourist demands, resident needs, and park preservation.

2000 – SPAWN (Salmon Protection and Watershed Network) which is dedicated to saving endangered Coho salmon by their educational programs and the removal of dams on streams.

1999 – Project Underground for their outstanding report “Gold, Greed and Genocide”.