The Central Coast State Parks Association is honored to recognize our past recipients of our awards and the ways they have impacted conservation.
2025 Awardees
John Laird Lifetime Achievement Award – presented to Kaila Dettman,
To honor those who have dedicated their lives and careers to supporting the conservation of the State of California’s natural and cultural resources, parks and open spaces.
Kaila Dettman, Executive Director of The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County, has spent over two decades advancing conservation across the Central Coast, helping protect more than 70,000 acres of working lands, critical habitats, and public open spaces. A respected leader at the local, state, and national levels, she has strengthened conservation through innovative partnerships, expanded education programs, and leadership roles with the California Council of Land Trusts and the Land Trust Alliance, demonstrating a lasting commitment to California’s natural and cultural resources.
Metamorphosis Award Conservation Leadership – presented to Valerie Glahn
Valerie has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the conservation of the western monarch butterfly through her extensive volunteer service with Central Coast State Parks Association and at Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove. Since 2018, she has educated thousands of visitors about monarch habitat and migration, while also contributing six years of leadership on the CCSPA Board, including as President. Beyond governance, she volunteers year-round to support fundraising and community programs, embodying a deep personal and professional commitment to conservation. Her passion extends beyond the local level, actively advocating for monarch protection and inspiring others through her knowledge, enthusiasm, and unwavering service.
Young Leaders in Conservation – 2025 Awardees:
- Liam McInerney — Park Interpretive Specialist, California State Parks Oceano Dunes District
- Brooklynn Ramos — Senior Park Aide, California State Parks San Luis Obispo Coast District
- Marly Miller — Play Grove Co-Lead, One Cool Earth
- Ava Curtis — College Corps Fellow, SLO Climate Coalition
- Shayla Zink — Operations Coordinator, The Marine Mammal Center
- Kate Ditrani — Farm Operations Coordinator, SLO City Farm
- Lexi Mitchell — Volunteer Coordinator, Central Coast Aquarium
- Anna Davis — Outreach and Fundraising Lead, Central Coast State Parks Association
2024 Awardees
John Laird Lifetime Achievement Award – presented to Julie Packard
To honor those who have dedicated their lives and careers to supporting the conservation of the State of California’s natural and cultural resources, parks and open spaces.
We are honored to present the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award to Julie Packard for her career of service to the natural world as well as her continued service and dedication to education and the preservation of California’s natural and cultural resources.
Julie Packard is executive director of the acclaimed Monterey Bay Aquarium, which she helped found in the late 1970s as the nation’s first major public aquarium dedicated to interpreting marine life of a single region. She is an international leader in the field of ocean conservation, and a leading voice for science-based policy reform in support of healthy oceans.
Metamorphosis Award Conservation Leadership – presented to Barbara Haggerty
Barbara is a Docent, trained volunteer, who does interpretation and roves in the Pismo Monarch Grove during the season. She usually volunteers five days a week, answering questions, offering information and telling stories about monarch butterflies. Her enthusiasm and interesting and lively stories not only inform, but also inspires visitors.
Young Leaders In Conservation Award
Recognizing individuals under 30 who have made significant contributions to environmental education and conservation in San Luis Obispo County. This award highlights their dedication, innovative approaches, and commitment to sustainability.
2023 Awardees
John Laird Lifetime Achievement Award – presented to Michele Roest
To honor those who have dedicated their lives and careers to supporting the conservation of the State of California’s natural and cultural resources, parks and open spaces.
We are honored to present the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award to Michele Roest for her career of service to the natural world as well as her continued service and dedication to education and the preservation of California’s natural and cultural resources.
The inaugural John Laird Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to California State Senator John Laird at the 2022 Butterfly Ball Gala. Senator John Laird dedicated much of his career to advocating for policy that addresses his top priorities: climate change, water conservation, access to State Parks, and ocean sustainability.
Metamorphosis Award for Conservation Leadership – presented to Regena Orr
To honor those who have made a significant impact in supporting the conservation, research and preservation efforts of the western monarch butterfly.
We are honored to present the 2023 Metamorphosis Award for Conservation Leadership to Regena Orr. Regena has spearheaded monarch conservation efforts in State Parks in the SLO Coast District for over 20 years. Her dedication to consistent data collection is an inspiration
Metamorphosis Award for Community Action – presented to the Authors and Editors of “Pismo Monarch Butterflies: Magic, Myths & Mysteries”
To honor the outstanding contributions that community members have made to the conservation and outreach efforts in support of the western monarch butterfly.
We are honored to present the 2023 Metamorphosis Award to the volunteers who spent countless hours writing, fact checking, revising, editing, and uploading the book, Pismo Monarch Butterflies: Magic, Myths and Mysteries. A special thank you goes out to Cal Poly professor, Dr Francis Villablanca for all his help in creating the book.
Click on names below to read more about each award recipient.
Authors:
Editors:
2022 Awardees
The Central Coast State Parks Association was honored to announce the recipients of our first ever awards ceremony, presented at the 2022 Butterfly Ball in San Luis Obispo. Click each recipient’s photo to read their bio.
John Laird Lifetime Achievement Award – presented to Senator John Laird
To honor those who have dedicated their lives and careers to supporting the conservation of the State of California’s natural and cultural resources, parks and open spaces.
We are honored to present this inaugural John Laird Lifetime Achievement Award to California State Senator John Laird. Senator John Laird dedicated much of his career to advocating for policy that addresses his top priorities: climate change, water conservation, access to State Parks, and ocean sustainability.
Metamorphosis Award for Community Action – presented to Marylou Gooden
To honor the outstanding contributions that community members have made to the conservation and outreach efforts in support of the western monarch butterfly.
We are honored to present this inaugural Metamorphosis Award for Community Action to Marylou Gooden. As a person who embodies the essence of metamorphosis, Marylou started as one of two docents volunteering for California State Parks at the Pismo State Beach Monarch Grove in 1979. In 1980, she gave her first guided monarch talk. Although she was a very busy stay at home mom of 4 children, the exposure to teaching and experiencing the joy of enhancing others through education led her to a career of teaching and a beloved principal. Marylou has dedicated countless hours in support of the western monarch and the Central Coast State Parks.
Metamorphosis Award for Community Action – presented to Robert Shanbrom
To honor the outstanding contributions that community members have made to the conservation and outreach efforts in support of the western monarch butterfly.
We are honored to present this inaugural Metamorphosis Award for Community Action to Robert Shanbrom. As someone who both thinks and cares deeply about his community, Robert appreciates art, nature and sustainability in just about every aspect of his life. His energy and support of the western monarch, our organization and arts and culture in our community is transformative.
Metamorphosis Award for Conservation Leadership – presented to Jessica Griffiths
To honor those who have made a significant impact in supporting the conservation, research and preservation efforts of the western monarch butterfly.
We are honored to present this inaugural Metamorphosis Award for Conservation Leadership to Jessica Griffiths. Jessica has studied monarch butterflies on the Central Coast for over 20 years, organizes the Xerces Society’s Thanksgiving count and provides training to hundreds of volunteers. Jessica’s dedication to monarch research and conservation is inspiring!