Contact: Lisa Bralts | Communications Director | Prairie Rivers Network
lbralts@prairierivers.org
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – Prairie Rivers Network (PRN) recently celebrated the accomplishments of two Illinoisans, recognizing their leadership in efforts aligned with advancing PRN’s mission of protecting water, healing land, and inspiring change. The celebration took place at PRN’s Annual Dinner event, held October 30 in Champaign.
This year, the organization presented the River Steward Award and the Outstanding Public Servant Award.
PRN’s River Steward Award is given annually in recognition of an individual’s dedication to work on the ground/or in the water that makes a real difference in Illinois. 2026’s award went to Katie VandenBerg, a parent and longtime resident of the Morton area. VandenBerg was already concerned by the visible impact drifting pesticides were having on oak trees on her property, and was fighting to save them. When her daughter and 200 other people were unintentionally sprayed with pesticides during an outdoor fundraising event in spring 2026, however, she took action in two ways: She reported the incident to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, which eventually resulted in a hefty fine for the farmer, and spoke out publicly on several public radio shows, in a Chicago Tribune story, and other media last summer.
“Katie knew exactly what to do immediately after her child was exposed to drifting pesticides, which is very important,” said Kim Erndt-Pitcher, PRN Director of Ecological Health. “But she also did something else that not everyone would do: She spoke up, with clarity and conviction, to raise awareness and to protect all children and all communities from chemical trespass.”
PRN’s Outstanding Public Servant Award is given on a discretionary basis to highlight the work of elected officials and public servants who advocate for strong, solutions-based environmental policies for Illinois. This year, Michael Daab, who has been with the Champaign County Forest Preserve District since 2006 and is its current Deputy Executive Director, was the recipient of this prestigious award for his decades of tireless service and hands-on efforts to protect the environment in Champaign County. Daab, who stewards—and has been growing—over 4,000 acres of public lands in the county as part of his day-to-day work, has also been involved with the Upper Sangamon River Conservancy non-profit for 14 years.
“In the last six years, Mike was instrumental in acquiring more than 160 acres of new public lands in Champaign County, and is working on another 200-plus acres now. Each of those properties has been or will be restored, for native wildlife and for the public,” observed Robert Hirschfeld, PRN Director of Water Policy, who presented Daab with the award. “Stewardship isn’t just what Mike does. It’s who he is.”
“Our entire team is always excited to collaborate with and learn from such amazing, motivated people,” said PRN Executive Director Maggie Bruns. “Their dedication, hard work, and resiliency remind us every day that these efforts, over time, can have enormous impact and protect and improve the lives of future generations. We’re so grateful to Katie and Michael for their efforts on behalf of our environment in Illinois.”
At Prairie Rivers Network (PRN), we protect water, heal land, and inspire change. Using the creative power of science, law, and collective action, we protect and restore our rivers, return healthy soils and diverse wildlife to our lands, and transform how we care for the earth and for each other. PRN is the Illinois affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation.
