When Eliza Dawson was 10 years old, she spent her time at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, helping prepare the bones of Hope the orca for the center’s exhibit.
Eleven years later, Dawson …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you had an active account on our previous website, then you have an account here. Simply reset your password to regain access to your account.
If you did not have an account on our previous website, but are a current print subscriber, click here to set up your website account.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
* Having trouble? Call our circulation department at 360-385-2900, or email our support.
Please log in to continue |
|
When Eliza Dawson was 10 years old, she spent her time at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, helping prepare the bones of Hope the orca for the center’s exhibit.
Eleven years later, Dawson is continuing to work for healthy oceans, a passion earning her recognition from the center, which last week awarded Dawson the $1,000 Anne Murphy Ocean Stewardship Scholarship.
The center awards the scholarship annually to an East Jefferson County student or graduate who embodies the values that Murphy demonstrated in her 24 years as the organization’s executive director: curiosity, wonder and a love of the marine environment, according to a press release from PTMSC.
Dawson, who grew up in and around Port Townsend, earlier this year announced her plans to undertake the challenge of rowing 2,400 miles from Monterey, California, to Honolulu, in the Great Pacific Race.
Dawson and her teammates hope to break the world record for a women’s rowing team while also calling attention to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is a 1.6 million-square-kilometer gyre of garbage in the ocean.
“We continue to be inspired by Eliza,” said PTMSC Executive Director Janine Boire in a press release.
“We cheer her efforts to raise the consciousness of people everywhere about the threats to our marine environment.
We are honored to support her and, through this challenge gift, encourage others to support the Ripple Effect Rowing project.”
Dawson is raising funds and will document her journey with photos and videos on her Row for Climate blog, row4climate.com.
“I will row in a 24-foot-long boat with three other crewmates, completely human powered by our determination,” Dawson wrote in a press release. “My goal is to set a new world record for the fastest crossing by an all-female crew (less than 50 days) and, in doing so, bring attention to climate change and other environmental issues.”
PTMSC will present Dawson’s scholarship award at a Row4Climate fundraising event set for 5:30-7 p.m. April 27 at Finnriver Cider Garden, 124 Center Road.
The center invites others to match this award dollar for dollar and help Dawson reach her fundraising goal.
