Reef Check Honors Heroes of Marine Conservation at Annual Gala

Russ Lesser accepts Bob Meistrell’s Reef Stewardship Award

Two of California’s marine conservation heroes were honored at Reef Check’s “Save the Reefs, Save the Oceans” Gala, September 19th at the Jonathan Beach Club in Santa Monica. Bob Meistrell was honored posthumously with the Reef Stewardship Award for his lifetime commitment to the sea and in celebration of his legacy and the 60th anniversary of his co-founding of Body Glove and California’s surf culture with his twin brother, Bill.

Russ Lesser, Reef Check Board Member and President of Body Glove, accepted the award after performing, accompanied by Sarah Ramsey-Duke, a special tribute song to Bob.

Dirk Burcham, a Reef Check California program diver since 2007, received the Citizen Scientist of the Year Award. For the past four years, Dirk has led all southern California Reef

Citizen Scientist of the Year Dirk Burcham with Reef Check Board Member Michael Schechter and Dr. Jan Freiwald, Reef Check California Program Director

Checkers in completing the most survey transects. Dirk also was a member of the Scientific Advisory Team that assisted in the development of the California survey protocol.

Thank you to all who attended, bid, donated, and volunteered- your efforts helped make the gala a big success! Special thanks to sponsors AES, Bluewater Photo, Body Glove, Gibson Dunn, Edison International, Houlihan Lokey, Miner Family Winery, Nova Ortho-Med, Oakley, VeeV and ViralBooth.

Click here for more photos from the gala.