Do you know a volunteer who is working hard to protect the state’s rivers and streams?

Kathy Andria Accepting 2010 River Steward Award

Help celebrate and elevate their important work by nominating them for our 7th annual River Steward Award. Deadline is September 9, 2011.

It is time once again to celebrate and elevate the important work of an individual whose work to protect the state’s rivers and streams inspires us. There are many dedicated citizen volunteers around our state that spend countless hours working to protect Illinois’ rivers. They educate us; they do the legwork; they speak the unpopular truths; they go above and beyond.

Too often, their outstanding efforts and successes are not known outside of their local community. The River Steward Award recognizes and celebrates the most exemplary nomination, and it will collect stories of work that we all need to hear. Prairie Rivers Network wants to recognize and celebrate the people who make these achievements possible, sharing their victories and inspiring other river advocates around the state.

The seventh annual River Steward Award will be announced October 14, 2011 at Prairie Rivers Network’s Annual Dinner. The honoree and a guest, as well as the nominator, will be invited to attend the dinner for the awards ceremony. The award recipient will also be announced to the river conservation community around the state, announced to the media in a press release, and posted on our website.

Past Winners Include

Kathy Andria, 2010

Gary Mechanic, 2009

Joyce Blumenshine, 2008

Mary Pat Holtschlag, 2007

Fran Caffee, 2006

Jan Holder, 2005

Nomination Procedure

If you know a citizen volunteer you would like to nominate as the next River Steward, please e-mail the following information to Steph Adams at sadams at prairierivers.org or call her at 217/344-2371 for more information:

• Nominee’s contact information
• Your contact information
• Nominee qualifications (500 words):
  • Summary of their river conservation efforts
  • General background information concerning the river/watershed of interest
  • The specific work for which the nominee deserves recognition

Deadline: Nominations must be received by September 9, 2011.

Marci Dodds – Outstanding Public Servant Award Winner

Marci Dodds with Stacy James, Water Resources Scientist

Our favorite public officials are those who tell us what they can do, instead of only what they cannot. They see the problems and become part of the solution. They don’t just stand on the shoreline; they get into the water. This year’s recipient of our Outstanding Public Servant Award has been in the water. Stormwater, in fact!

Prairie Rivers Network congratulates our Outstanding Public Servant Award Winnter – Marci Dodds – from the Champaign City Council. We meet her while working on the John Street Watershed Steering Committee, a group of Champaign residents devoted to improving the neighborhood’s flooding problems. At Committee meetings, we were impressed because she wasn’t just there; she was there! She brought good ideas, questions, and energy. We were even more impressed when she came out on a Saturday and worked with the volunteer crew that put in a rain garden to help reduce stormwater flooding and pollution. Thank you Marci for helping to make our community a better place to live.

Kathy Andria – River Steward Award Winner

Water Resources Scientist Traci Barkley with Kathy Andria

Every year, we recognize someone for their outstanding volunteer efforts on behalf of our rivers. Prairie Rivers Network congratulates our River Steward Award Winner – Kathy Andria. 

From early on, Prairie Rivers Network staff learned, while working with parnters and groups throughout the state, that Kathy Andria was a concerned citizen who was highly informed of issues in her region, politically savvy and engaged, in touch with the people who are impacted by air and water pollution and very competent at standing strong in the face of opposition. In her approximately 15 years of protecting the Mississippi, Kaskaskia and other Illinois rivers and streams, Kathy has spoken out at innumerable public hearings, educated citizens on clean water and clean air threats, recruited professional help and legal assistance. Her advocacy for clean water and responsible handling of waste and industrial pollution and her leadership and inspiration for other volunteers make her truly a River Steward. Thank you Kathy for helping to protect our rivers and streams.

Do you know a volunteer who is working hard to protect the state’s rivers and streams? Help celebrate and elevate their important work by nominating them for our 6th annual River Steward Award. Deadline is September 17, 2010. {Continue Reading »}

Lucy Bannon

Lucy Bannon, PRN’s 2009 Volunteer of the Year, started with PRN last year when she moved to Champaign to attend the University of Illinois. Lucy is majoring in environmental studies in the School of Earth, Society and Environment. Sharing outdoor experiences, such as canoeing with her family, sparked Lucy’s early interest in the natural world and protecting the environment. She’s been an enthusiastic addition to our office, always ready to take on assigned tasks, big or small. Thanks Lucy!

Gary Mechanic

Gary Mechanic, PRN’s 2009 River Steward, is the essence of a River Steward. For over twenty years, he has dedicated his time to increasing public awareness of the need to conserve Illinois’ rivers. Currently serving as vice-president of the Illinois Paddling Council, Gary developed the organization’s WaterKeepers program. WaterKeepers monitor the health of their selected stream, and advocate for its protection. Gary was a leader in developing the “Northeastern Illinois Regional Water Trails Plan” which stretches over 500 miles of rivers and streams. He is one of Illinois’ strongest advocates for improving public access to rivers for the benefit of paddlers and others who enjoy their beauty.

Jan Holder (left), PRN’s First River Steward Award Winner

Do you know a volunteer who is working hard to protect the state’s rivers and streams? Help celebrate and elevate their important work by nominating them for our 5th annual River Steward Award. Deadline is October 15, 2009.

It is time once again to celebrate and elevate the important work of an individual whose work to protect the state’s rivers and streams inspires us. There are many dedicated citizen volunteers around our state that spend countless hours working to protect Illinois’ rivers. They educate us; they do the legwork; they speak the unpopular truths; they go above and beyond.

{Continue Reading »}