Please see the photo I submitted showing Melanie and Lynn Redding tearing-up Elkhorn Slough in a sea kayak.

I would like to add my name to the sentiments written in the recent letter by Kenneth Coale, Mike Foster, and Greg Cailliet, and add a few personal notes of my own. When I came to the Labs as the Director in 1994 there was rebuilding to do, a neighborhood to tame, and a restless faculty and staff chaffing to leave the trailers in Salinas and return to the shores of Monterey Bay. Melanie, a staple of the Labs, was there to brief me, support the cause, and charged ahead on doing what was needed to get the institute rebuilt in Moss Landing, and not somewhere else. This was no easy task, as the Labs needed to be rebuilt on stable land where precious little existed in Moss Landing. The ideal site was a hill with a water tank on it. This was the place to rebuild, but the selection was not without opposition, including some fisherman, neighbors and Native Americans, as the site was considered an aid to navigation, a park and was a Native American burial ground. Then there was CEQA and NEPA to deal with. Melanie, in her positive and proactive way dived into this mess and helped sort out the politics and environmental problems. Her background and education from Moss Landing Marine Labs made her especially competent in tackling the problems at hand.

Melanie was a dedicated public servant and entrepreneur whose actions spoke louder than words. She was one of the strongest supporters of the Labs and intent on having it rebuilt in Moss Landing. She believed enough in the community, and the businesses and educational institutes, that she settled in the village with her family to run a B&B at Capt. Moss’s House, where she contributed untold value to the community. Action by Melanie was a major factor in overcoming what seemed like overarching obstacles to getting the Labs rebuilt. I can attest to the effectiveness of Melanie’s action and strongly feel that without her push the Labs may not have been built, or would have been delayed for a far too lengthy amount of time.

Melanie will be missed. She leaves a legacy of community involvement and dedication that is known for its societal benefits. I wish nothing but the best for Yohn and the twins, and add my support to the family.