Annually, at the summer development An Evening of Fresh to Salt, this award of recognition is bestowed upon an individual that has proven to have contributed to the field of marine science that reflects the Herring Gut Coastal Science Center’s vision and work of founder Phyllis Wyeth.

Phyllis Wyeth (1940 - 2019) founded the Herring Gut Learning Center in 1999. Inspired by her mother, Alice du Pont Mills, an environmental activist who raised her to “leave the world a better place.” Wyeth led her life with a dedication to the environment and giving back to her community. Wyeth created Herring Gut Learning Center with the goal of teaching local children about aquaculture and marine conservation and to help preserve Maine’s traditional fishing communities. Wyeth was later awarded the NOAA Fisheries Environmental Hero award in 2002 for her efforts with the organization. Go here to read more about Phyllis’ life and work.

Sara Rademaker and Anne Langston Noll, PhD were the 2024 recipients of the Phyllis Wyeth Visionary Award. Rademaker is the Owner/CEO of American Unagi. Sara has exemplified self-starting entrepreneurism and has carved out an entire new industry- America eel cultivation and grow out from glass eels to finished products. She came through Herring Gut as an Educator from 2009-2011. Langtson Noll is the Associate Director of the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center. In her work with the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center, Annie leads and supports research, workforce development initiatives, education, and outreach projects across the state and beyond. She also uses her own farm, Pemetic Sea Farms, as a platform for experimental work and teaching, often hosting visitors, students, and others curious about aquaculture and wanting to gain experience as they start a business or a career in the industry.

Congrats Sara and Anne!