Ken Urstad has been named the 2015 Jan Holmes Island County Coastal Volunteer of the Year, according to a recent news release.

The award is co-sponsored by the Island County Marine Resources Committee and Washington State University Island County Extension. The program recognizes volunteers who are engaged in efforts to protect and restore marine waters and coastal resources.

The release states that the Jan Holmes Island County Coastal Volunteer of the Year Award is given annually to one individual engaged in service, science or outreach pertaining to the wellbeing of Island County’s marine environment and whose work contributes to understanding or protection of marine waters or coastal resources.

The award is named in honor of Jan Holmes, a WSU Island County Beach Watcher, who was a marine scientist, educator and advocate for the marine environment.

Urstad was nominated for the award by a fellow volunteer who said that he works hard to produce quality work.

“Ken Urstad has been and continues to be a tireless volunteer willing to give of his time, work effort and spirit to contribute to the improvement of the environment in Island County and the Salish Sea,” said an unnamed volunteer who was quoted in the release.

Urstad has contributed over 3,000 volunteer hours to Beach Watchers and has been a member of the Island County MRC for nine years, where he recently served on the advisory committee.

The release states that in addition to volunteering his time, Urstad has lent the use of his boat for eelgrass surveys and went as far as modifying the rig to accommodate survey equipment. He also volunteered to maintain seining equipment and was one of the founding members of Jan Holmes’ eelgrass team, amongst numerous other activities.