2026 Marine Environmental Awards Luncheon

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at the Battle House Hotel

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This year's recipient is Dr. Chris Anderson, Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment

This award was created in 2023 by DISL in the honor of Alabama Senator David Sessions and Representative Chip Brown in recognition of their advocacy for the conservation of the land and waters in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and Alabama watershed.  Recognizing that conservation efforts intended to restore Alabama's natural resources from the headwaters of the Alabama watershed to the open waters of the Northern Gulf of Mexico, this award will be given to individuals from across the State of Alabama in recognition of delivering transformational advances in conservation theory and practice, along with innovation and application, that harmoniously balance the State of Alabama's economic, cultural, and historical interests.

Dr. Christopher Anderson is a professor of wetland ecology and the newly appointed Charles D. McCrary Endowed Professor in Natural Resources and Development in the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment at Auburn University. He began his career as an Auburn faculty member in 2008 with a teaching and research focus on coastal wetland ecosystems. Since that time, his work has examined how land use, changing river flows and other environmental factors affect a wide range of coastal environments including headwater wetlands, floodplains, and tidal marshes. In particular, his lab continues to study the functional role of tidal freshwater forested wetlands across the Gulf Coast, including those in the Mobile Tensaw River Delta. Chris received his Ph.D. in Natural Resources (Wetland Ecology) from The Ohio State University, an M.S. in Botany from the University of South Florida, and his B.S. in Wildlife Management from Virginia Tech.

 Colonel Scott Bannon - Gulf Coast Marine Environmental Excellence Award

Scott Bannon is the Director for Alabama Wildlife Federation (AWF) Delta and Bay Conservation Center (DBCC) in Spanish Fort. AWF was established in 1935, is the oldest and largest conservation organization in Alabama. DBCC is dedicated to educating youth and adults about wildlife, forests, fish, waters and soils in the Mobile Delta and Bay through field trips, day camps, homeschool programs as well as programs for the general public.

Scott has been working with AWF since August of 2025. Prior to that he was the Director of the Alabama Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR). Scott considers being Director of 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center his dream job.

 Mobile Jaycees - Gulf Coast Marine Environmental Leadership Award

The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, a Project of the Mobile Jaycees, is the largest fishing tournament in the world. Founded in 1929, the fishing rodeo now attracts over 4,000 anglers and 100,000 spectators. It is located on Dauphin Island, Alabama. 

The Fisheries Ecology Lab at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab led by Dr. Sean Powers presents current research projects students and faculty are working in Mobile Bay, the Mississippi Sound, and the northern Gulf of Mexico.  Each year, you can see the Fisheries Ecology Lab at work during the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo held on Dauphin Island. Occurring in July, the ADSFR works closely with Dr. Powers and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab to gain an understanding of what is required to sustain fish populations for both the recreational angler and the commercial fishing industry. Marine biology students from across the country and the world converge on Dauphin Island.