The Caspar Cove Project Awards were created to recognize the remarkable people whose dedication, generosity, and leadership make kelp restoration possible.

Each year, on the last Saturday of September, following our final Community Dive of the season, we gather as a community to celebrate another year of restoration and to honor the volunteers, partners, and advocates who have helped move our mission forward.

While the work of restoring kelp forests happens beneath the surface, the true strength of the Caspar Cove Project comes from the people who continue to show up—month after month, year after year.

The Awards Ceremony is our opportunity to pause, express gratitude, and celebrate the community that makes this work possible.

More Than an Awards Ceremony

The Caspar Cove Project has never been just about removing purple sea urchins.

It's about building a community of people who care deeply about the ocean and are willing to take action.

Some lead from beneath the surface.

Some educate and inspire others.

Some quietly volunteer behind the scenes.

Others have dedicated decades of their lives to protecting our coast.

Each person contributes in their own unique way.

The Caspar Cove Project Awards recognize these individuals and remind us that meaningful conservation is built on countless acts of generosity, service, and leadership.

Annual Awards

The Joshua Russo Award

• Honoring the Spirit of Community

  • The Joshua Russo Award is the Caspar Cove Project's highest honor.

  • Named after our founder, Joshua Russo, this award recognizes the volunteer who best embodies Josh's extraordinary spirit of generosity, service, leadership, and community.

  • Josh believed that restoring kelp forests was ultimately about bringing people together. He welcomed everyone, inspired others through his actions, and demonstrated that lasting change begins when people simply choose to show up.

  • This award celebrates the individual who carries that spirit forward and reminds us that one person can inspire an entire community.

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Honoring a Lifetime of Ocean Stewardship

  • The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual whose long-term leadership, commitment, and lasting contributions have helped advance ocean stewardship, diving, marine conservation, and the Caspar Cove community.

  • Recipients have dedicated years—or even decades—to protecting our ocean, mentoring others, building community, and leaving a legacy that continues to inspire future generations.

  • Their impact extends far beyond a single season and serves as a reminder that meaningful change is built through a lifetime of service.

High Impact Diver Award

• Celebrating Outstanding Restoration Efforts

  • The High Impact Diver Award honors a diver whose consistent participation and significant contribution to purple sea urchin removal has helped advance kelp forest restoration efforts throughout the season.

  • While the award recognizes dedication in the water, it also celebrates teamwork, mentorship, safety, and the willingness to support fellow divers.

  • It recognizes those who lead by example and inspire others through their commitment to restoring Northern California's underwater forests.

Ocean Advocate Award

• Inspiring Others to Care for Our Ocean

  • The Ocean Advocate Award recognizes an individual or organization that has helped educate, inspire, recruit, and engage others in support of kelp forests and ocean conservation.

  • Whether through education, public outreach, storytelling, photography, filmmaking, advocacy, science communication, or community leadership, recipients have expanded the reach of the Caspar Cove Project and encouraged more people to become ocean stewards.

  • Their work reminds us that every conversation has the power to inspire another person to care for our ocean.

Community Nominations

One of the things that makes these awards especially meaningful is that they are driven by the community.

Each summer, we invite divers, volunteers, partners, and supporters to nominate individuals who have made a meaningful contribution throughout the season.

Recognition isn't reserved for the loudest voice or the person who removed the most purple sea urchins.

Often, it's the quiet leaders—the people who consistently show up, encourage others, lend a hand, and strengthen our community through simple acts of kindness and service.

If someone has inspired you or made a difference in your experience at Caspar Cove, we'd love to hear their story.

Submit a Nomination

Help us recognize the people who make the Caspar Cove Project such a special community.