We conclude our celebration of the 2026 Oyster South Award winners by recognizing one final outstanding member of our community.

. The 2026 Oyster South Environmentalist Award was presented to Sandra Brooke of Florida State University. 🌊🦪 . This award honors someone who has taken extraordinary steps to advocate for and protect the coastal environments that sustain Southern oyster aquaculture. . Since 2018, Dr. Brooke has led restoration efforts in Apalachicola Bay, guiding science-based solutions to address oyster population decline while balancing the needs of farmers, researchers, and the community. Her leadership helped establish a hatchery in St. Teresa, strengthening both restoration and future aquaculture opportunities. . Following recent hurricanes, she also secured funding to purchase oysters from farmers who couldn’t bring their product to market, providing critical relief during a time of hardship. . We are deeply grateful for her dedication to healthy waters, resilient communities, and the future of Southern oysters. . Join us in congratulating Dr. Sandra Brooke for her outstanding contributions to the Southern oyster community. ✨ . We are honored to celebrate this year’s award winners as part of the Oyster South community and look forward to continuing to recognize the people whose commitment and collaboration move our industry forward. . Photo credit: Emily Riewestahl, Florida Sea Grant . #knowyourscientist #ossymposium2026