BTT’s 15th Annual NYC Dinner & Awards Ceremony brought together conservationists, dignitaries, fishing guides, and angling celebrities on a New York autumn evening, inspired by community-led efforts to conserve the flats of The Bahamas and beyond!
Steve Burke, former NBCUniversal CEO, and Gretchen Burke received the 2026 Lefty Kreh Award for Lifetime Achievement in Conservation, recognizing their ongoing commitment to rebuilding Grand Bahama’s East End after Hurricane Dorian. The Flats Stewardship Award recognized Bahamian fishing guides Robert Meadows, Shervin Tate, Charles Albury, JR Albury, Leroy Glinton, Justin Sands, Danny Sawyer, and Livingston Tate for their contributions to BTT’s Mangrove Restoration Project and ongoing conservation leadership. Meadows and Shervin Tate accepted the award on behalf of the guides following remarks from the Hon. Zane Lightbourne, Minister of the Environment & Natural Resources, The Bahamas.
CNBC’s Steve Liesman hosted the evening, with special tributes from Tony James and Jack Nicklaus. Highlights included a festive Junakanoo performance and a lively auction fundraiser featuring premier fishing trips and travel experiences. Thank you to our entire event committee and Honorary Event Chairs, Michael Keaton and Huey Lewis.
We also thank our many supporters who made this evening a success! Together, we are advancing conservation for bonefish, tarpon, and permit, as well as the habitats and waters they call home, everywhere BTT enacts its mission.
