Past River Heroes

This annual award celebrates rivers and those who protect them by recognizing some of our victories and honoring those who provide us with leadership and inspiration along the way. In addition to the River Heroes, River Network selects one individual each year to receive the James R. Compton River Achievement Award, celebrating a life-long commitment to river conservation.

2005 Winners

Alice Champagne, Technical Programs Director, Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (GA)

Alice has worked tirelessly, for over a decade, on the Chattahoochee River's most serious problem--polluted sediment runoff from construction sites in the sprawling metro Atlanta region. Never afraid to speak up at public meetings, to lead and teach citizen and governmental trainings/workshops, or to challenge proposed development plans that may negatively impact the river, she is considered the erosion and stormwater expert in the state's enviro-community.

Janet Cohen, Executive Director, South Yuba River Citizen's League (CA)

After 14 years with SYRCL, Janet Cohen will be retiring in 2005. Her passionate work for the Yuba River started as a volunteer when during a 1978 visit to Northern California from her home in London, she was captivated by the Yuba's deep blue pools and white granite walls. Janet has been instrumental in growing the organization to 4,500 supporters and over 500 active volunteers.

David Fowler, Senior Project Manager, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District

With a Master of Science in Stream Ecology, Dave has worked as a Fisheries Biologist with the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources and later as an Aquatic Biologist for the MMSD where he has been for the past 24 years. He has been active in the District's ongoing efforts toward water quality improvement, watershed management, urban stream rehabilitation and flood management. He is an avid outdoor enthusiast with a zeal for canoeing and kayaking.

Deb Perryman, Elgin High School Teacher (IL)

As a child, Deb spent hours gliding across Crooked Lake in a canoe or exploring the cedar swamp across the road. Her dream was to become a wildlife biologist. Fortunately for the children of School District U46, Deb became a high school science teacher. Noticing a 35-acre tract of land behind the school, Deb immediately sought protection for the land and was granted temporary permission to utilize the area as a multi-sensory laboratory.

Tim Watts, Massachusetts River Activist

Tim is an over-night janitor at a local college--a job that allows him to be on a river or in meetings during the day when most volunteers are at their day job. He grew up in and around rivers; fishing, exploring, learning--the same activities he now shares with his own children. His mind's eye has tracked the changes, catalogued the small assaults and crafted a course of action to protect the rivers his childhood revolved around.