Octopus Award

SeaDoc's Octopus Award recognizes groups or individuals who go above and beyond to help the SeaDoc Society accomplish its mission to ensure the health of marine wildlife and their ecosystem.

2011 Receipient: Dean Bennie Osburn of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Osburn, who has served as Dean for the last 14 years, was instrumental in setting up the SeaDoc Society over a decade ago. In 2000, private donors who were impressed with the veterinary school's track record for producing science that improved wildlife health approached the veterinary school and asked them to consider working in Washington and British Columbia on problems facing the marine fish and wildlife of the Salish Sea. Dean Osburn recognized the fit between Wildlife Health Center's expertise and the needs of the Salish Sea and helped create the SeaDoc Society.

The Dean's support and guidance over the last decade has been instrumental in helping the SeaDoc Society fund and conduct millions of dollars of science needed to improve the health of marine wildlife populations. Dr. Kirsten Gilardi, Wildlife Veterinarian and Assistant Director of the School of Veterinary Medicine’s Wildlife Health Center said, "Dean Osburn has truly been like four extra pairs of arms for the SeaDoc Society since our inception."

Pictured, left to right: Kirsten Gilardi, WHC co-director Jonna Mazet, SeaDoc Board Chair Gary Davis, Dean Bennie Osburn, Joe Gaydos, WHC co-director Walter Boyce.

2010 Recipients: Compass Wines (Doug Charles & Will Parks)

Over the last two years, Compass Wines has been instrumental in helping SeaDoc fund science needed to improve the health of local marine wildlife populations. In addition to being corporate sponsors for SeaDoc’s major Wine Fundraising Auction, Compass Wines also donates a portion of the proceeds from sales of their “Salish Sea” wine to benefit the SeaDoc Society.

Compass Wines’ support has helped SeaDoc carry out a number of scientific studies ranging from determining best practices for restoring endangered northern abalone, to investigating the origins of contaminants in killer whales. Compass Wines has truly been like four extra pairs of arms for the SeaDoc Society over the last few years.

Pictured, left to right: Doug Charles, Eleanor Parks, Will Parks.

Past Recipients include Malcolm Goodfellow (2004), Patti Moran-Hodge (2005), John Klacking (2007), and Lynne Greene (2008).