The Partnership for Water Conservation (PWC) believes in recognizing outstanding water conservation achievements. To that end we have established two awards that are presented at our Annual Membership Meeting in October, the Water Conservation Leadership Award and the Michael Mercer Water Conservation Educator Award. Nominations are now being taken for these awards for 2010. To obtain a nomination form click on the name of the award above. Nomination forms are due by September 1st, 2010.

At the 2009 Annual Meeting held October 27th, PWC presented its Michael Mercer Water Conservation Educator Award to Debbie Rannfeldt for dedicated work educating children about the importance of water and protecting our natural resources.

Michael Mercer Water Conservation Educator Award

In 2007 PWC announced the creation of the Michael Mercer Water Conservation Educator Award to honor Mike Mercer, who was a leader in water conservation education in the Puget Sound region for over 25 years. Mike sadly left us all too soon in July 2007, but his impact remains in all the many lives he touched, especially all the students with whom he shared his love of nature. The award was presented for the first time at PWC's 2007 Annual Meeting.

The award is presented to a teacher, teaching team, volunteer or other educator who has shown creativity and dedication to teaching youth about water conservation, the value of water, and the importance of maintaining healthy rivers, streams and aquifers to protect salmon and our natural environment.  Award recipients receive a year’s supply of the Shared Waters booklet (up to 300) and a $100 monetary award.

Recipients:

2009:    Debbie Rannfeldt - Woodinville Water District

2008:    Gina Hungerford - City of Kent

2007:    Clay Heilman - Nature Vision

Debbie Rannfeldt - From nomination by Mialee Jose: Examples of Debbie's leadership include:

• Representative of the Saving Water Partnership & Water Conservation Coalition Youth Ed committees since 1992.
• Lead, staffed & supported projects such as
  • Field trips for students to the Cedar River Watershed & Education Center
  • Developed curriculum to educate elementary school teachers about water & implemented with schools
  • Helped develop educational materials such as the regional Shared Waters activity book, water systems poster and bookmarks
  • Developed a youth ed website & advertising to attract students to the site including use of Bert the Salmon, to promote the importance of water for salmon habitat
• Developed a program to provide environmental education classroom presentations throughout her district in partnership with nearby water districts.
• Founder of the regional Spring Garden Fair, which educates attendees about efficient water use in the landscape. In 2008 she expanded kids' activities to include the "Kinder Garden."
• Lead the effort for construction of a educational demo garden at Woodinville Water District and arranged for plants to be salvaged & planted at nearby elementary school when some of the garden was moved.

For additional testimonials click here.

Water Conservation Leadership Award

Created in 2006 this award honors those in the Puget Sound Region who have made significant contributions toward encouraging water conservation and who have worked diligently to develop water conservation programs, activities, education and/or policy.

Recipients:

2008:     Michael Brent - Cascade Water Alliance

2007:    Al Dietemann - Seattle Public Utilities

2006:    Barbara Sullivan - City of Redmond

              Karen Allston