Four organizations dedicated to the Mendocino environment “Dorothy King Young Chapter of CNPS, Mendocino Coast Audubon, Mendocino Land Trust, and Mendocino State Parks” began meeting in the late 1990's to share information and provide mutual support. By 2002 they had formalized to the extent of agreeing to meet annually, rotate hosting the meeting, and present an award each year to a person or organization whose efforts on behalf of the environment have made a difference in our community. This award was renamed the Matt Coleman Environmental Service Award in his honor after his tragic death. Ginny and Warren Wade, Joan Curry, Pat Howard, Binah Polay, and Sally Malby were the organizers.

DKY is this year's host. The host organization nominates an awarded (it can be more than one), and since many of our DKY members are also active in the other groups, we have been well represented. At last year's meeting, for the first time, a new organization was added, the Noyo Center, adding the marine environment to the group.

This year's Environmentalist of the Year is our own Peter Baye, Naturalist, Botanist, Conservationist extraordinaire!