San Diego Unified Port District

09/11/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/11/2025 12:35

Port of San Diego Recognizes The Friends of San Diego Wildlife Refuges as Anchors of Excellence Awardee for the Month of September

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From left to right: Port of San Diego President & CEO Scott Chadwick, Commissioner Dan Malcolm, Friends of San Diego Wildlife Refuges (FSDWR) Board Member Alex Hangersterfer, FSDWR Vice President and Treasurer Gaye Lingley, Port of San Diego Chair Danielle Moore, United State Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) Staff Chantel Jimenez, USFWS Staff Justyn Strahl.

The Imperial Beach based nonprofit The Friends of San Diego Wildlife Refuges is the Port of San Diego's Anchors of Excellence awardee for September. The organization is honored for its continued service to the public in the areas of sustainability, environmental stewardship, and education. Port Chair Danielle Moore presented the award at the September 9 Board of Port Commissioners' meeting.

"The Port of San Diego is proud to honor the Friends of San Diego Wildlife Refuges with our Anchors of Excellence Award," said Chair Danielle Moore of the Board of Port Commissioners. "The Friends have been instrumental in supporting the initiatives of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services as well as California State Parks. Through conservation initiatives and engaging educational programs, they inspire residents and visitors alike to protect our natural environment, particularly along our southern border that has been dealing with the ongoing Tijuana sewage emergency."

The Friends of San Diego Wildlife Refuges is a nonprofit organization that supports wildlife education and support initiatives in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and California State Parks. The organization mobilizes funding and community engagement to connect locals and visitors with the diverse ecosystems of San Diego County, ranging from the Tijuana Slough and San Diego Bay to inland refuges. Since its inception, the Friends group has remained dedicated to enhancing public understanding and stewardship of these vital natural spaces.

"Thank you for this unexpected recognition," said Gaye Lingley, Vice President of The Friends of San Diego Wildlife Refuges. "The Friends of San Diego Wildlife Refuges is an enthusiastic supporter of San Diego Bay and looks forward to working with the Port of San Diego, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Refuge System, the various cities, and businesses along the bay and our beautiful, natural environment into the future."

Nominations
Nominations for future Anchors of Excellence awards are welcomed by anyone for any individual, business, or nonprofit that does great work in the region. Nominations are reviewed by an internal Port selection committee, which considers the following:

  • Alignment with Port values: Accountability, Courage, Inclusiveness, Fairness, Fun, Innovation, Integrity, Teamwork, and Transparency.

  • Geographic diversity to ensure representation from all five Port member cities: Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City, and San Diego.

For more information or to submit a nomination, please click here.
San Diego Unified Port District published this content on September 11, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 11, 2025 at 18:35 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]