The Reef Ball Foundation, whose executive director Kathy Kirbo operates the nonprofit organization from an Athens office, was named a 2005 Tech Museum Awards Laureate, which honors individuals, for-profit, public and nonprofit organizations from around the world who are applying technology to help people across the world in the areas of environment, economic development, education, equality and health. The Tech Museum of Innovation, located in San Jose, Calif., announced 25 laureates for the awards program.

The Reef Ball Foundation was named a laureate for the Intel Environment Award, for developing or using technologies that conserve and protect Earth's ecosystems. The Reef Ball Foundation has conducted more than 3,500 projects worldwide in 50 countries including the Boy Scouts of America's High Adventure program in Islamorada, Fla., the government of Sarawak's marine sanctuary for sea turtles in Malaysia, a reef restoration project on Maiden Island, Antigua and a tsunami restoration project in Thailand. The Foundation works to restore natural reef systems through preservation, Reef Ball technology, innovative public education opportunities and community involvement.

A panel of judges considered more than 300 applications from 64 countries. The 25 Tech Awards Laureates for 2005 come from Brazil, Canada, Cuba, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. Their work impacts people in 43 countries around the globe.

Last week, at a black tie awards gala, leaders from Silicon Valley, the United Nations, the World Bank and other program partners joined together to honor all 25 laureates.

Information on The Reef Ball Foundation is available at www.reefball.org.