FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Mike Rogers has been actively involved in protecting the environment for the last decade or so, and he is now being recognized for his efforts. The Mobile native and part-time Dauphin Island resident will receive a third place 2009 Gulf Guardian Award in the Individual Category.

The honor is being bestowed on the 10th Anniversary of the Gulf of Mexico Program’s Gulf Guardian Awards Program.

The ceremony will take place Oct. 29, beginning at 6 p.m., in the Magnolia Ballroom at the Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi, Miss. The event is being held in conjunction with the Oceans ‘09 International Conference.

“I felt like I hadn’t really done anything to win an award like that,” Rogers said of being told he would be given the regional honor. “Then I thought even little things help. One person can make an impact.”

This one person has a rather full plate, to say the least. Rogers serves on the board of directors for the Alabama Coastal Foundation (ACF). He is also on the national board of the Billfish Foundation (he is passionate about offshore fishing), has served as a trustee for The Nature Conservancy (TNC) of Alabama (2000-2007) and as the project champion for TNC’s Gulf Islands area.

During his tenure on the TNC board, Rogers also was a participant in the group’s oyster restoration project in Grand Bay.

He trained for and is an active member of Coast Watch, a program to report game fish violations spearheaded by the Coastal Conservation Association and the Department of Conservation.

Rogers also coordinated the construction and erection of several osprey nesting platforms on Dauphin Island, with the help of his company, Rogers & Willard Builders, which donated materials and aided in placement.

“We’re excited that he won,” said Bethany Kraft, ACF executive director. “Not only has he served on several boards, he’s also an avid bird photographer (Rogers photographed 150 species on Dauphin Island so far this year). He brings a wealth of information about the environment, and what it means. He wants his kids to have the same opportunity.”

Kraft, who nominated Rogers for the award, noted he brings a lot to the table in everything he does. She said, “Anytime you have someone who pursues an appreciation of the outdoors, they have a special connection to the environment. It’s about making a connection in our lives and what we do to the natural environment.”

Rogers said, “It’s a mindset. It’s about not pouring grease down the drain to people putting rain gardens in their yard.”

Rogers again stressed that one person can make a huge difference. he said, “Everything from kids going on canoe trips where we map the coastline to tree planting to people taking care of their yard and planing things for habitat.” Giving money or time is important, he said.

Rogers cited the people of Costa Rica, who depend on ecotourism as a source of revenue. He said taking care of the environment is “a way of life” for the people living there.

“I think the goal is to keep making everyone aware of how (our environmental footprint) affects our lives and our livelihood,” he said.

Rogers attended St. Mary’s and St. Pius Catholic schools in Mobile, and graduated from McGill-Toolen High School. He went on to earn a degree in building construction from Auburn University.

As chairman for The Centre for Living Arts, he also served as building chair overseeing the $4.3 million restoration of the Saenger Theatre and the $6 million conversion of the former Press-Register building into a contemporary art center. ACF recently moved its offices from Fairhope to the Saenger building.

He married Cay MacClary in 2000, and the couple has three daughters, Catie, Jackie and Leigh. They live on Dauphin Island from May until October.

The Gulf of Mexico Program established the Gulf Guardian awards in 2000 as a way to recognize and honor the businesses, community groups, individuals and agencies that are taking positive steps to keep the Gulf healthy, beautiful and productive. A first, second and third place award are given each year in seven categories — individual, business, youth and education, nonprofit organizations, government, partnership and bi-national efforts.

“The Gulf of Mexico is a priceless treasure,” stated A. Stanley Meiburg, acting regional administrator of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 4. ”As a unique habitat, a place which gives pleasure to countless Americans, and a source of some of our most valuable resources, it has no equal. These Gulf Guardians who labor to protect and enhance this magnificent sea deserve our highest praise and thanks.”

The Gulf of Mexico Program began in 1988 to protect, restore, and maintain the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem in economically sustainable ways. The program is underwritten by the EPA, and is a non-regulatory, inclusive consortium of state and federal government agencies and representatives of the business and agricultural community, fishing industry, scientists, environmentalists, and community leaders from all five Gulf States.

For a list of all Gulf Guardian Award winners for 2009, visit the Gulf of Mexico Program Web site at www.epa.gov/gmpo and click on the Gulf Guardian Award button.