2026 Honorees
Honoring Long-Time Contributors
Pete Hanrahan and Pam Morgan
At the 5th Annual Gulf of Maine Coastal Conference, SOS Saco Bay thanked two people whose work over many years built the network this conference depends on.
Pete Hanrahan
Six years ago, Pete Hanrahan asked for a tour of the Ferry Beach Retreat & Conference Center. Cathy Stackpole, the Center's director, took him on a comprehensive look around. I am not sure when the idea for a conference popped into his head, but by the time we got to the car to leave, he had a vision for this event.
Pete has been a friend for many years. He has spoken at our Symposium, our annual meeting and, of course, at the conference as well. Pete is retiring after this Conference.
Pete, we will miss you greatly. You have introduced all of us to many of our speakers and sponsors. Because of you, we are able to bring this network together each year. As we head into the future, we will constantly be reminded that everything you did in the past is most important. Thank you.
Pam Morgan
When I started doing this work I quickly learned of the great work being done in Marine Sciences at the University of New England. Whenever I asked about that, I was always asked, do you know Pam Morgan. As soon as I was able to answer affirmatively I understood why that was such an important question.
Pam has done so much for all of us. I was able to witness her living shorelines demonstration project, her work with the Saco River Collaborative, her participation in special events such as the Science Slam two years ago, and more recently her work with the Youth Climate Initiative. She was a featured speaker at the conference and presented to students when we last had a student track.
Nobody has greater respect from her peers, fellow faculty and most importantly, her students, many of whom were with us at the conference. Pam retired from UNE last spring, but she remains an important part of this event, and we were glad to thank her.
David Plavin, SOS Saco Bay