VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Virginia Tippie, director of Coastal America, kicks off the Jan. 14 awards ceremony with an overview of the program before presenting the U.S. Army Corps Lynnhaven Oyster Restoration Project team with the 2009 Coastal America Partnership Award. The award -- the only environmental award of its kind given by the White House -- recognizes the accomplishments of collaboration, innovation and successful ongoing efforts to restore and protect the coastal environment. The 39-member team was recognized specifically for native American oyster population research and growth in the Lynnhaven River. Partners in the ongoing initiative who also received plaques include the City of Virginia Beach, Lynnhaven River Now, Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Virginia Marine Resources Commission.