EASTPOINT, FL March 15, 2004- Pamela Selton, Executive Director of The St. Joe Community Foundation (STJCF), today presented David McLain, Executive Director of the Apalachicola Bay and Riverkeeper (ABARK), with a grant of $15,000 to assist in the continued programs and advocacy work on the protection of the Apalachicola Bay and River.

The Apalachicola Bay and River is truly one of the last ecosystems in the western hemisphere that retains much of its incredible resources intact and is sustainable.  Apalachicola Bay and Riverkeeper was started in 1998 by a handful of citizens in the watershed concerned with the protection of this resource.  Since its inception, the organization has grown from an all volunteer organization to its current three full-time staff positions and over 1000 members from twenty-two states and one foreign country.

“As more and more people have begun to discover the “Forgotten Coast,” the pressures on our spectacular resource have continued to increase,” said McLain. “The grant comes at a very critical time for our organization as we are beginning to undertake new programs and restoration work with the addition of a highly experienced technical person who has worked for the last fifteen years on the Apalachicola River and Bay.”

Active and informed non-governmental environmental groups play a key role in the protection of natural resources by providing information and by interacting between local individuals, private industry, local, state and federal governments,” continued McLain. “The rapid growth of the capacity of our organization through support by members, corporations, and foundation will allow us to continue our critical work of protecting the Apalachicola River and Bay.”

Regarding the grant, Roger Martin, Director of Development for ABARK said, “We accept this grant as tangible evidence of The St. Joe Community Foundation’s commitment to have a positive impact on the future of our resource and our community.”

“The integrity of the Apalachicola Bay and River ecosystem is a concern to all of us who call this region home,” said Selton. “ABARK is an active steward of this system and they continue to demonstrate their commitment to preserve the natural, scenic, recreational and commercial fishing value of these waterways.  This grant is intended to be a way to help them grow their capacity to pursue important monitoring, restoration, and education initiatives as well as to build alliances between all of those who have a stake in insuring the health of this unique resource.”