Awards
Nominations may be submitted online by using the RMS Award Nomination.
RMS aims to develop and promote professional river management and encourage professional development among its members and their colleagues. One of the most exciting and fun ways to achieve this is to recognize those who have made significant contributions to the art and science of river management, and those who best exemplify the spirit and purpose of the organization. As such, since 1998 we have given annual RMS awards for excellence in river management and conservation to deserving individuals. The Frank Church Wild and Scenic Rivers Award, sponsored by the Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council, was added in 2000.
The Awards and Elections Committee and RMS Board of Directors recognize outstanding individuals and achievements in four categories:
- River Manager of the Year (RMS Members only)
- Outstanding Contribution to River Management (open to all)
- Outstanding Contribution to the River Management Society Award (RMS Members only)
- Frand Church Wild and Scenic Rivers Award (open to all)
We invite you to give careful consideration to those persons who deserve to be recognized for their work and contributions to managing our rivers and developing our organization. Read about the 2012 River Management of the Year award winners!
RMS Awards Categories and Criteria
River Manager of the Year Award (RMS Members Only)
- Provided leadership in promoting and protecting natural, cultural and recreational resources;
- Worked effectively and cooperatively with user groups, private landowners, and/or general public;
- Established long-term partnerships to protect and manage the river corridor;
- Created an effective, professional and enjoyable working environment; and/or
- Worked to protect river within the context of the watershed and beyond designated lines on a map.
Past Recipients
2013 - Greg Trainor, City of Grand Junction, Colorado
2012 - Jennifer Jones, Bureau of Land Management
2011 - Heidi Mottl, Bureau of Land Management
2010 - Dave Cernicek, USDA Forest Service
2009 - Troy Schnurr, Bureau of Land Management
2008 - Colin Maas, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
2007 - Greta Movassaghi, USDA Forest Service
2006 - John Morand, Ganaraska River Conservation Authority
2005 - Thomas Mottl, Bureau of Land Management
2004 - Sheri Hughes, USDA Forest Service
2003 - Dennis Willis, Bureau of Land Management
2002 - Steve Johnson, Minnesota Dept of Natural Resources
2001 - Jim Eicher, Bureau of Land Management
2000 - Jon Collins, Bureau of Land Management
1999 - Bob Ratcliffe, Bureau of Land Management
1998 - Woody Baxter, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Outstanding Contribution to River Management Award (open to all)
- Advanced the field of river management through contributions in areas such as science, education, interpretation, research, and/or law enforcement;
- Developed innovative (or creatively adapted) river management techniques;
- Organized conferences/meetings that advanced river management as a science and as a profession;
- Developed or implemented new communication techniques to coordinate and connect managers;
- Provided opportunities for increased awareness by citizens and river visitors of their role in caring for rivers and watersheds; and/or
- Was an outstanding advocate for and promoted professional river management and outdoor ethics
Past Recipients
2013 - Roy Smith, Bureau of Land Management
2012 - Paul Nordell, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
2011 - Mark Singleton, American Whitewater
2010 - Gary G. Marsh, Bureau of Land Management
2009 - Bo Shelby, Oregon State University
2008 - Drew Parkin, Consultant
2007 - Charlie Sperry, Montana Fish, Widlife & Parks
2006 - W. Don Nelson, State Director, U.S. Senator Ben Nelson
2005 - Karen Rice, Bureau of Land Management
2004 - Jack Hannon, American Rivers
2003 - Dr. Joseph Kutkuhn, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (retired), Upper Manistee River Restoration Committee
2002 - Jack Mosby, National Park Service (retired)
2001 - Jim MacCartney, Trout Unlimited / National Park Service
2000 - Leave No Trace, Inc.
1999 - Denny Huffman, National Park Service (retired)
1998 - Jackie Diedrich, USDA Forest Service
Outstanding Contribution to the River Management Society Award (RMS Members only)
- Donated considerable time, money, or effort in advancing the RMS;
- Brought new and positive private and public awareness of the RMS;
- Increased membership through new channels or hard work;
- Developed or located new sources of funding or resources for the RMS;
- Provided exemplary service to the RMS through an elected office; and/or
- Provided an outstanding example of the RMS spirit, mission and goals.
Past Recipients
2013 - Lynette Ripley, Bureau of Reclamation
2012 - Lee Larson, Bureau of Land Management (retired), Ken Ransford, Esq.
2010 - Doug Whittaker, Consultant
2009 - Chet Crowser, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
2008 - Steve Johnson, National Park Service
2007 - Bunny Sterin, Bureau of Land Management
2006 - Linda Jalbert, National Park Service
2005 - Ken Vines, USDA Forest Service
2004 - Jim MacCartney, Trout Unlimited / National Park Service
2003 - Dan Haas, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
2002 - LuVerne Grussing, Bureau of Land Management
2001 - Lisa Klinger, USDA Forest Service
2000 - Doug Carter, Consultant
1999 - Stu Lewis, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (retired)
1998 - Gary Marsh, Bureau of Land Management
Frank Church Wild and Scenic Rivers Award (open to all)
- Advanced awareness of WSRs through contributions in areas such as public contact, technology, training, interpretation, education, research, law enforcement;
- Worked effectively and cooperatively with user groups, private landowners, and/or general public;
- Demonstrated, developed, or creatively adapted innovative WSR management techniques;
- Organized conferences, training, etc., which involved and advanced WSRs;
- Established and/or encouraged partnerships to protect and manage WSRs;
- Developed or used communication techniques fostering coordination among WSR constituencies;
- Provided opportunities for new or positive awareness for WSRs; and/or
- Exhibited leadership in promoting and protecting WSRs within and adjacent to designated corridors or reaches.
Past Recipients
2012 - Evan Worthington, Bureau of Land Management
2010 - Maret Pajutee, USDA Forest Service
2009 - Chris Brown, USDA Forest Service
2008 - Jamie Fosburgh, National Park Service
2007 - Sue Jennings, National Park Service
2006 - Daryl Mullinix, USDA Forest Service
2005 - Richard Roberts, Florida Park Service (retired)
2004 - Jackie Diedrich, USDA Forest Service
2003 - Lon Kelly, Bureau of Land Management
2002 - Cassie Thomas, National Park Service
2001 - Cindy Lane, USDA Forest Service
2000 - John Haubert, National Park Service
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