ALABAMA RIVERS ALLIANCE RECOGNIZES COMMUNITY LEADERS AND RIVER HEROES AT THE ANNUAL RIVER CELEBRATION AWARDS
BIRMINGHAM – The Alabama Rivers Alliance recognized leaders from across the state at the River Celebration Awards on March 25 as part of the 25th annual Alabama Water Rally, held this year at Camp Beckwith in Fairhope.
The River Celebration Awards recognize and celebrate notable organizations and individuals who have made outstanding contributions toward protecting clean water and healthy rivers in their community.
“Much of the work of these individuals and organizations goes largely unrecognized except
[L to R] Cheryl Hamilton and Jean Cox (Friends of Pinchgut Creek), Joe Womack (Africatown/C.H.E.S.S.), Eva Dillard (Black Warrior Riverkeeper), Justinn Overton (Coosa Riverkeeper), Dawn Lee (Birmingham Botanical Gardens and ARA Board of Directors). Not pictured: Kathleen Kirkpatrick. Photo by: Chad Hoffman
in our own circles,” Cindy Lowry, executive director of Alabama Rivers Alliance, said. “We cherish the opportunity to honor their work and dedication with our River Celebration Awards and are proud to work alongside them defending our rivers – and the people who rely on them – throughout Alabama.”
The honorees of the 2023 River Celebration Awards are:
Emerging Leader of the Year – Dawn Lee, for her leadership with ARA and other organizations. Lee spent the past year reorganizing the structure of ARA’s Junior Board to the Young Professional River Defenders, and provided guidance throughout ARA’s strategic planning process.
New Group of the Year – Friends of Pinchgut Creek, for their new work protecting Pinchgut Creek and the Cahaba Headwaters through education, community involvement, and advocacy
James Lowery Service Award – Kathleen Kirkpatrick, for her dedication to many organizations in Alabama, including Hometown Action, Coosa Riverkeeper, Alabama Hub of GS4GND, Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network (ASAN), and more. She devotes so much of her time in service to Alabama’s environment.
In addition to these awards, three extraordinary individuals were also recognized with the highest achievement award of RIVER HERO. This ultimate recognition is given to passionate individuals who have profoundly impacted Alabama’s river movement through their hard work and leadership. They go above and beyond to protect our rivers, the health of our communities, and our environment.
The 2023 RIVER HEROES are:
Eva Dillard (Black Warrior Riverkeeper)
CLICK HERE TO READ A LITTLE ABOUT EVA DILLARD.
Joe Womack (Africatown and C.H.E.S.S.)
CLICK HERE TO READ A LITTLE ABOUT JOE WOMACK
Justinn Overton (Coosa Riverkeeper)
CLICK HERE TO READ A LITTLE ABOUT JUSTINN OVERTON
Click here to see past River Heroes and other River Celebration Award winners.
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About the Alabama Rivers Alliance
Alabama Rivers Alliance is a statewide network of groups working to protect and restore all of Alabama’s water resources through building partnerships, empowering citizens, and advocating for sound water policy and its enforcement. For more information, please visit www.alabamarivers.org
