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The award was in recognition of Curt and his team’s significant contributions to the advancement of science, exemplary partnership and collaboration, and exceptional communication of research to make findings actionable for coral reef conservation. The award was voted on by representatives from 12 federal agencies, 2 states, and 5 territories. It is only the 4th time in the past decade that this recognition has been awarded. 

The United States Coral Reef Task Force was established in 1998 by Presidential Executive Order to lead U.S. efforts to preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems. The Task Force includes leaders from federal agencies, U.S. states, territories, commonwealths, and Freely Associated States, and is co-chaired by the Department of Interior and NOAA. They help build partnerships, strategies, and support for on-the-ground action to conserve coral reefs. The theme of the 45th USCRTF meeting was “Co-management of Coral Reef Communities”. 

Curt has been a member of the Task Force since 2005 and has served on the Task Force’s Steering Committee since 2013. His team’s work to across the U.S. and its Trust Territories to assess land-based pollution impacts to coral reefs and measure the flood protection benefits of coral reefs have been key contributions supporting Task Force goals for coral conservation. 

In collaboration with many partners, Curt and his team’s coral reef research has led to new insight into the influences of natural processes and impacts of human activities on coral reef health that is changing federal, state, and territorial policy to protect and conserve the biodiversity, health, and social and economic value of these remarkable habitats. 

For more information about Curt's work, visit the USGS Coral Reef Project web site. 

Learn more about the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force. 

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