The River Award
The River Award is presented each year by the River Institute Board of Directors to recognize and celebrate members of the community who are taking action to protect and improve the health of the Upper St. Lawrence River and/or regional watersheds.
Recipients of the River Award are individuals, organizations, groups, or companies who:
• Have made a significant contribution to restoring and protecting the Upper St. Lawrence River and/or regional watersheds through volunteer activity;
• Demonstrate outstanding environmental commitment in their daily life and/or volunteerism;
• Help inspire others to care for local or regional ecosystems.
If you know of an individual, organization, group, or business who meets this criteria, please submit a nomination.
Please include any relevant information that would support the nomination within the maximum word counts provided.
All nominations will be reviewed by members of a selection committee that will make a recommendation to the River Institute Board of Directors. The selection committee members will make their decisions based on the content provided in the nomination form.
If you have any questions about the award or if you would like to request support to complete a nomination, please contact Elsie at elewison[at]riverinstitute.ca.
River Award Recipients
2024 Patricia O’Hara
2023 Abraham Francis
2022 Chris Moran
2021 Dr. Robin Poole, C.M.
2020 Chris Critoph
2019 Melanie Baker Brown
2018 Joe Belmonte
2017 Upper St. Lawrence Protection Network
2016 Dave Merpaw
2015 Kate Schwartz
2014 Susan and John Towndrow
2013 Dr. David Lean and Dr. Peter Hodson
2012 Lydia Johnson
2011 Walter Oeggerli
2010 Henry Lickers
2009 Elaine Kennedy
Frequently Asked Questions
My nominee works in the environmental sector, are they eligible for the River Award? While many people make important contributions to the environment through their paid jobs or careers in the environmental sector, the River Award is primarily intended to recognize exemplary efforts made through volunteer work, outside of paid employment. However, an individual, group, or organization working in the environmental sector might be eligible if they volunteer time to make contributions above and beyond their expected duties.
My nominee is a current member of the River Institute Board of Directors, are they eligible for the River Award? Because the award is presented on behalf of the Board of Directors, current members are not eligible. However, individuals who have previously served on the Board of Directors are eligible.
My nominee was previously a member of the River Institute Board of Directors, are they eligible for the River Award? Yes, if the person you wish to nominate is no longer a Member of the Board of Directors, they can be nominated for the River Award.
Can I submit additional documents to support my nomination? To support a fair process, we do not accept additional documents in support of nominations. Please include as much relevant information as possible in the nomination form, within the maximum word counts provided.
Is the award restricted to a particular region/geography? The River Award is primarily intended to recognize exemplary efforts to protect and improve the health of the upper portion of the St. Lawrence River and/or regional watersheds, including lands and water north and south of the river (encompassing Indigenous Nations, Ontario, Quebec, and New York). The committee may also consider activities focused on connecting waters or lands (e.g. Great Lakes) particularly where they have relevance to the Upper St. Lawrence River region.
Are school groups eligible to be nominated? Yes, a school or class can be nominated for the River Award.
How will the winner be recognized for their contributions? The River Award recipient will be announced at the River Institute’s Annual General Meeting and recognized in a public announcement and in the River Institute’s Annual Report.
If I would like some help to complete the nomination form, is there someone who can help me? Yes! If you would like to request support to complete a nomination, please feel free to email Elsie at elewison[at]riverinstitute.ca.