In recognition of her advocacy for the North Sea, Emilie Reuchlin was selected as the 2025 winner of the Bright Award for Environmental Sustainability.

5:00 pm – Reception
5:30 pm – Award Presentation and Remarks
6:00 pm – Panel Discussion on the Future of Ocean Conservation

Marine ecosystems are in crisis—but ensuring their health is central to global climate solutions, biodiversity, and community well-being. This panel brings together leading voices from science, law, philanthropy, and advocacy to explore bold approaches to marine restoration. Drawing on work from the North Sea to the Pacific, panelists will examine how we can ensure ocean conservation moves beyond protection on paper toward restoration in practice.

Panelists Include:

• Deborah Sivas (Moderator), Luke W. Cole Professor of Environmental Law and director of the Stanford Environmental Law Clinic, known for her work on behalf of her clients to protect coastal and marine areas.
• Emilie Reuchlin, marine biologist, director and co-founder of Doggerland Foundation, leading pioneering rewilding and legal initiatives to restore and protect the North Sea, starting with the Dogger Bank.
• Meg Caldwell, Ocean Conservation Expert and Ocean Conservation Expert and former Director and Interim Vice President for Environment & Science at the Packard Foundation, whose work bridges philanthropy, climate, and equity.
• Jim Leape, Co-Director of the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions and former Director General of WWF International, with decades of experience in global marine governance.
• Fiorenza Micheli, marine ecologist and Co-Director of the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions, who is pioneering ecosystem-based approaches to ocean resilience and restoration.

Learn more about Emilie:

Click here to watch a video
Click here to read the press release