The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico Program recently selected recipients for the 2009 Gulf Guardian Awards. The program began in 2000 as a way to recognize and honor public and private groups that work to keep the Gulf healthy.

The Clear Creek Environmental Foundation of Houston earned a second-place Gulf Guardian Award for 2009 in the civic/non profit category. ConocoPhillips Lower 48 Philanthropic Program of Houston received a first-place in the business category. Nueces River Authority of Corpus Christi took a third-place in the education category.

The Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Program received a third-place award in the partnership category. The Texas Conservation Fund of Houston received third place in the civic/nonprofit category.