Every year at our annual dinner, Prairie Rivers Network recognizes our volunteer of the year. In years past, this award has gone to individuals such as Brett Schmidt, who spent countless hours reviewing pollution permits, or Ellen Bullock, who donated her legal assistance when we took on the water pollution permit for the Black Beauty Coal Mine. This year, we honored not one, but three individuals that have donated their “spare time,” energy, drive, and passion to protect their favorite river. These individuals have stepped outside their usual roles as teacher, farmer and recreational outfitter to become organizers and fundraisers. They have rallied their communities around a cause. They have gathered hundreds together to help clean up the riverbanks.

Without further ado, they are:

Judy Sacotnik, founder and owner of Middle Fork Canoe Outfitters. She brought several Vermilion County community groups together to clean up the
Vermilion River. Judy, along with a wonderful team of volunteers organized not just one, but two river cleanups and a fall environmental festival on the Vermilion River. This festival will now be an annual event.

Sandy Mason and Kim Erndt

Sandy Mason and Kim Erndt

Sandy Mason of the University of Illinois Extension in Champaign and the Allerton Allies. She worked to help organize the first ever Sangamon River Clean-up in the Monticello area. With over 10 organizations assisting in the effort, Sandy demonstrated the passion, enthusiasm and smarts it takes to
make an event successful. More than 175 volunteers participated. Her organizing skills, creativeness and fundraising abilities showed that she really was the steam behind this great event.

Sue Smith of the Salt Fork River Partners. She has tirelessly worked to organize the Salt Fork River Clean-up for eight years in a row. Sue and her family have lived on and farmed the land near the river for years. She is also a member of the Salt Fork River Steering Committee and has been a long-time advocate and
voice for the River. After long days working on the family farm, Sue dedicates her “spare time” to saving the Salt Fork River and organizing its annual river
clean-up.
It is an honor for us to recognize these three volunteers this year.

Organizing a river clean-up is no easy task, and this year we had the privilege to work with these individuals and the other fantastic people on the river clean-up committees that represented local clubs, organizations and government groups. Each group and situation is as different as each
river. In each group, a leader was born-someone that wanted to step up and pitch in that extra amount because he/she cared. It is our hope to see this happen in every watershed across the state. We hope that river clean-ups are just the beginning of great things to come. If you would like help organizing a river clean-up or another activity that will get people out on the river, contact Kim Erndt at kerndt@prairierivers.org.