Awards and Honors

Honorary Doctoral Degrees (23)  *also Commencement Speech

University of Oxford, to be awarded 2021 (postponed from 6/2020 due to COVID-19); University of Antwerp, 2019; Oregon State University*, 2019; American Museum of Natural History*, 2018; Willamette University*, 2015; Rutgers University, 2013; Yale University, 2012; University of Puget Sound, 2012; University of South Carolina*, 2012; Loyola University New Orleans, 2011; Western Washington University 2011; Stony Brook University, 2011 Augsburg College, 2009; Dartmouth College, 2009; University of Copenhagen, Denmark, 2009; Georgetown University, 2008; Michigan State University, 2003; Plymouth State College, 2002; Princeton University, 2001; Southampton College, 1998; Unity College*, 1998; Bates College, 1997; Colorado College, 1993; Drexel University, 1992.
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 Other Major Awards and Honors
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2020
- Honorary Member, American Meteorological Society, the highest award given by AMS; “to persons of acknowledged preeminence in the atmospheric or related oceanic or hydrologic sciences”
-  Mary Sears Medal, The Oceanography Society, inaugural award “In honor of sustained, innovative, and impactful contributions in the areas of biological oceanography, marine biology, or marine ecology”; ‘In recognition of her exceptional leadership and original contributions to research on biodiversity, rocky seashore ecology, and solutions to restore ocean health and sustainable fisheries.”
-  Beaver Champion Award, Oregon State University, to the TRACE team in recognition of their extraordinary efforts to harness scientific knowledge and deliver public health information that allows public health and elected officials and citizens to make smart decisions during the COVID-19 crisis.

2019
- Ocean Tethys Award, Ocean Visions Initiative, inaugural recipient, for “significant achievements as an international leader in science and policy, as well as your untiring efforts to bring a positive outlook on the ocean’s future”.
- Harvard University Centennial Medal, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, awarded for “contributions to society as they have emerged from one’s graduate education at Harvard.”
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2017
- Oregon History Maker, Oregon Historical Society, ‘honors Oregonians whose outstanding achievements have shone brightly on our state.’

- Public Welfare Medal, U.S. National Academy of Sciences, ‘the most prestigious award given by the NAS’; ‘for your successful efforts in bringing together the research community, its sponsors, and the public policy community to focus on urgent issues related to global environmental change.’
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2014
- Seattle Aquarium Medal, Seattle Aquarium, “for leadership and longstanding commitment to issues facing the environment, oceans and our climate, and for inspiring many, especially the next generation”
- NatureServe Conservation Award, NatureServe, “for steadfast commitment to science as an instrument of public policy and understanding”
- Eminent Ecologist Award, Ecological Society of America, ”The most prestigious award given by ESA, in recognition of an outstanding body of ecological work of sustained ecological contributions of extraordinary merit”
- TWAS Medal, The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) “for outstanding achievements in research”
- XX Premio de Ecología Y Medio Ambiente ‘Miguel Alemán Valdés’ Medal, (XX Miguel Aleman Ecology and Environment Prize), Miguel Aleman Foundation, Mexico City, and the XX Miguel Alemán Lecture delivered at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.
- Stephen H. Schneider Award for Outstanding Climate Science Communication,  Climate One, The Commonwealth Club of California for “extraordinary scientific contributions and an outstanding record of communicating the findings effectively to a broad public”

2013
- Honorary Lifetime Fellow and Member, American Society of Naturalists.  (The total number of living Fellows is limited to 12.)
- Distinguished Public Service Award, U.S. Coast Guard, (The highest award given to a civilian) “for extraordinary vision, leadership and commitment to maritime stewardship...”
- Lifetime Achievement Award, National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation
- Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Ecology and Conservation Biology, BBVA Foundation, “for characterizing marine ecosystems and providing the science behind the design of protected areas”
- Climate Change Award, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
- Stroud Award for Freshwater Excellence, Stroud Water Research Center

2011
- Public Understanding of Science Award, The Exploratorium, San Francisco
- Alumna Summa Laude Dignata, University of Washington; the highest award for a graduate
- Achievement Award, D.C. Vermont Law School Alumni Association
- Blue Planet Prize, Asahi Glass Foundation, Tokyo, Japan
- Gold Medal Award, Department of Commerce, for extraordinary service by NOAA during the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Disaster               
- Woman of Achievement Award, Oregon Commission for Women

2010
- Peter Benchley Ocean Award for Excellence in Policy, Benchley Awards
- Coastal Hero Award, Sunset Magazine, for “amazing work in protecting and preserving the West's greatest treasures, the Pacific Ocean and its thousands of miles of shoreline”
- Newsmaker of the Year, the scientific journal Nature, cover photo and feature article.

2008
- The Zayed International Prize for the Environment, for Scientific and Technological Achievements, United Arab Emirates, “for leadership in environmental sciences”.                    

2007
- Beijer Fellow, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences’ Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics

2006
- Centennial Award, Botanical Society of America, for exemplary service to the plant sciences
- Gilfillan Award, OSU College of Science, for distinguished scholarship in science
- Sustainability Science Award, Ecological Society of America, for the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005; ‘for a peer-reviewed publication that makes the greatest contribution to sustainability science through the integration of ecological and social sciences.’

2005
- AAAS Public Understanding of Science and Technology Award, American Association for the Advancement of Science (the first woman to receive this award)

2004
- Environmental Law Institute Award (the first scientist to receive this honor)
- Distinguished Scientist Award, American Institute of Biological Sciences

2003
- Distinguished Service Award, Society for Conservation Biology
- ISI Highly Cited Researcher in Ecology/Environment, ISI
- Distinguished Alumna Award, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Washington
- Nierenberg Prize for Science in the Public Interest, Scripps Institution of Oceanography; for ‘outstanding contributions to science in the public interest’

2002
- Ed Ricketts Memorial Award; Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- The Heinz Award for the Environment, Heinz Family Foundation
- Outstanding Woman Scientist, Discover Magazine, November                                         
- CSSP Leadership Citation, Council for Scientific Society Presidents                                           

2001
- Honorary Member for Life, British Ecological Society; ‘the highest honor that the Society gives…for a lifetime’s achievement in the science of ecology or its application.’
- Golden Plate Award, The American Academy of Achievement

1999
- David B. Stone Award, New England Aquarium
- Howard Vollum Award, Reed College  

1998
- Honorary Member, Golden Key National Honor Society, OSU                              
- National Conservation Award, Daughters of the American Revolution    
- Founder’s Education Award, Daughters of the American Revolution
- Sustained Achievement Award, Renewable Natural Resources Foundation 

1997
- AWIS Fellow, Association for Women in Science                                      
- Distinguished Service Award, Ecological Society of America

1994
- Oregon Scientist of the Year, Oregon Academy of Science    
- Golden Eagle Award, Council for International Nontheatrical Events (CINE), Washington, D.C. (for National Geographic film Diversity of Life), with co-recipients James and Elaine Larison

1993
- Distinguished Professor, Oregon State University, 1993-present
- MacArthur Fellow, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, 1993-1998                  

1992
- Pew Scholar in Conservation and the Environment, Pew Charitable Trusts, 1992-1995 

1990
- AAAS Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science       

1987
- National Lecturer, Phycological Society of America, 1987-89                                                   

1986
- Outstanding Teacher Award, OSU Alpha Lambda Delta (freshman honor society)           

1979
- George Mercer Award, Ecological Society of America, (co-recipient Bruce A. Menge); outstanding paper published anywhere in the world by a young ecologist    ​