About the Award
Christi Veleta was one of the City of Jacksonville’s most devoted employees for over 30 years. During her tenure she displayed the highest levels of professionalism in her work with the Environmental Protection Board. A common thread throughout her career was a passionate focus on a better quality of life for all the residents of Duval County through environmental education, awareness, and action. She provided unparalleled community service and continuously displayed outstanding initiative.
The Environmental Protection Board established the Christi P. Veleta Environmental Award in recognition of her more than two decades of meritorious service to the people of Duval County, commitment to environmental issues and her devoted protection and preservation of our natural resources. The award recognizes an individual who has exhibited, over a long-term, environmental stewardship, displayed superior environmental initiative, and consistently promotes environmental education and outreach.
Past Winners include:
2010 - Christi P. Veleta
2011 - Mark Middlebrook
2012 - Kevin Songer
2013 - Ron Littlepage
2014 - Dr. Quinton White
2015 - Felicia Boyd
2016 - Lucy Cortese
2017 - Sarah Boren
2018 - Jimmy Orth
2019 - Mark Mummaw
2021 - Anna Dooley
2022 - Melissa Ross
Winner Of The 2023 Christi P. Veleta Award Announced!
The 2023 award was presented to Dr. Gerry Pinto at the JEPB Awards Luncheon on November 15, 2023.
Since its inception, Gerry has been one of the team behind the annual State of the River Report, and for the past few years, has served as the Principal Investigator leading the team. While he leads this work, he is out working with schools and other groups giving presentations to help let everyone know how important the St Johns is and how to protect it.
Dr. Pinto is a consultant to the City of Jacksonville’s Waterways Commission and conducts research to monitor manatee populations in Northeast Florida. As part of that effort, Dr. Pinto has endeavored to raise public awareness about manatee issues through the Manatee Research Center Online (MaRCO web site), safe boating and speed zone advisory guides, educational seminars, TV, radio, video and the print media. He conducts aerial surveys and manages a manatee and dolphin Geographic Information System (GIS) database of aerial sightings.