North Palm Beach, FL (December 2, 2025) – The 2025 John D. MacArthur Beach State Park Environmental Champion Award was presented to Dr. Ian Enochs, Research Ecologist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), at the MacBeach Gala, the Friends’ annual fundraiser, which took place on November 6, 2025. The Environmental Champion Award is presented to individuals who have made exceptional contributions towards the preservation or betterment of Florida’s natural environment.
Dr. Ian Enochs is a highly experienced Research Ecologist at NOAA where he is the head of the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) Coral Program, a position held since September 2018. His research focuses on understanding the responses of corals and reef biota to global change. In addition to his professional work, Dr. Enochs has been a valuable addition to the Friends environmental education summer camp and intern program for years.
“Dr. Enochs’ efforts to create a positive impact on the environment are both inspiring and deeply valued,” says Veronica Frehm, CEO of Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park. “His dedication to both research and education has had a profound impact on our students, interns, and staff. We are grateful for his commitment to shaping the next generation of leaders in science. It is because of this important work that we are honored to recognize him as our 2025 Environmental Champion.”
Proceeds from MacBeach Gala will help fund our environmental education programs (last year we served over 4,000 students), sea turtle conservation (on average we have over 3,000 nests on our 1.6 miles of beach), new Park events and programs, community outreach efforts, guided tours, special exhibits, and more.
Lead sponsors of the 2025 Gala included John and Stephanie Pew Foundation, Leo, Claire, and Robert Adenbaum Foundation, ROI Executive Search, and VoLo Foundation.
About The Award:
The Environmental Champion annual award honors an individual who has made exceptional contributions towards the preservation or betterment of the natural environment of Palm Beach County and/or the state of Florida. This contribution can be made through scientific research at any academic level, environmental activism, education, or personal dedication to any manner of environmental subject, theme, or issue. Any environmental organization or individual may make a nomination. We accept both youth and adult nominations. The nominations are then voted on by the Gala Events Committee and the award is presented at the Friends’ annual gala.
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, Palm Beach County’s only state park, is situated on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Lake Worth Lagoon. The Park is made up of 436 acres of pristine coastal land and contains four different communities or habitats including seven species of plants and 22 species of animals on the endangered or threatened list. For more information about MacArthur Beach State Park visit, macarthurbeach.org.