Categories: BriefsPort News

POLA Director Receives Conservation Award


Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Geraldine Knatz has been named the 2012 recipient of the Blue Frontier Campaign’s Peter Benchley Ocean Award for  “Excellence in Solutions.”

The Blue Frontier Campaign is a national marine conservation activist organization working to improve ocean policies in coastal states. The Peter Benchley Award is named in honor of lifetime marine wildlife conservationist Peter Benchley, best known for writing the bestseller novel ‘Jaws’ in 1974.

Knatz was recognized for her environmental efforts as executive director of the Port of Los Angeles and her role as president of the International Association of Ports and Harbors where she has become a global leader in the Greening Ports movement. She will receive her award at a ceremony Friday night in San Francisco.

“Combining her savvy as a long time port official and her knowledge as a marine biologist and environmental engineer, Dr. Knatz has transformed ‘America’s Port®,’ at Los Angeles into ‘America’s Greenest Port,’” said David Helvarg, co-founder and executive director of the Blue Frontier Campaign. “Through collaboration with the neighboring Port of Long Beach, she has led successful efforts to clean the air and water, demonstrating the link between environmental clean-up and economic prosperity.”

The fifth annual Peter Benchley Ocean Awards acknowledge the broad range of achievement in the ocean and coastal community, providing a way to celebrate outstanding achievements that lead to the protection of our coasts, oceans, and the communities that depend on them.

Terelle Jerricks

During his two decade tenure, he has investigated, reported on, written and assisted with hundreds of stories related to environmental concerns, affordable housing, development that exacerbates wealth inequality and the housing crisis, labor issues and community policing or the lack thereof.

Recent Posts

Port of Long Beach CEO to Chart New Course at Year’s End

It was during his time on the Harbor Commission that he proposed the Green Port…

4 hours ago

Transforming Immigrant Affairs: Solis Champions a Creative Vision

Embedding this role is critical toward a more responsive, inclusive government that centers the lived…

5 hours ago

California Just Slashed Its Cannabis Tax to Save Its Dying Industry

California’s cannabis industry employs hundreds of thousands and generates millions in revenue, but sales and…

7 hours ago

Arts United San Pedro Awards $45,000 in Community Arts Grants to Fuel Local Creativity

Selected from a competitive pool of applicants, the funded proposals include visual arts, performances, public…

7 hours ago

Thoughts, Prayers, and the Moral Failure of Those Who Worship Hate

Thoughts and prayers that these traitors to democracy, the flag, and the true meaning of…

8 hours ago

Port of Los Angeles Issues Request for Proposal for Pre-development of Potential New Terminal

  LOS ANGELES — The Port of Los Angeles is seeking proposals from interested parties…

8 hours ago