SpongeBob, Nickelodeon's S. Hillenburg, inspired from Jacques Cousteau.

New York City - The Guardianship of World's Waterways founded by Catherine Gropper for Restoration of the Gulf held its first ever awards presentation recently in New York City at the SoHo House.

Fabien Cousteau was honored for his Plant A Fish educational programs and his commitment to preserving marine life. Suncoast Seabird Bird Sanctuary, America's oldest avian hospital, also received donations.

An oil and water 2010 art auction was held, including works donated by artists Anne Selbach, James D. Albinson, Christopher Engel, Jackie Fuchs, Eileen Casey, Amy Penn, Delfina M. Barretto, Vincent Gagliostro, Keith
Haring, Shannon Rynd-Ray, Gayil Nalls, Ann Watt, Melanie Wyler and Catherine Gropper; 100 percent of the sale of the works benefited the organizations.

Playwright and artist Gropper founded these Annual Guardianship Awards to honor leaders who actively demonstrate commitment to wildlife and waterways. Gropper states "There is so much each of us can do, within our schools, our communities and households. Everyone can become vigilant in transforming our energies to protect and sustain nature and our planet earth/ocean."

For more information on Cousteau's organization go to www.plantafish.org.

For more information on Suncoast Seabird Bird Sanctuary go to www.seabirdsanctuary.com
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Artist Christopher Engel (left) with his sold Turtle to Larry Rosen and Greg Bobyock.