Lake Simcoe wins International Thiess Riverprize

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA September 22, 2009 – The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority stood on the international scientific stage last night to receive the esteemed International Thiess Riverprize. The International Riverprize, now in its 11th year, is the most highly regarded and valuable river management award in the world.

“We are thrilled and honored to have been internationally recognized among such distinguished company,” said Virginia Hackson, Chair of the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA). “We have been working for many years to develop a sustainable approach to managing the watershed and we feel we’ve made very significant progress. With this award, an international panel of scientists has validated that our work is of the quality that can compete with the best in the world. That is very gratifying.”

The annual prize is awarded to organizations that are engaged in the very best practices in watershed management. It is presented to the project that represents the world’s best effort to conserve natural watershed resources for future generations. The prize was presented during the 12th International Riversymposium and Rivers from Source to Sea Conference in Brisbane, Australia.

Since its inauguration in 1999, the International Thiess Riverprize has come to be called the ‘Nobel Prize’ for outstanding environmental work in watershed management. In the presence of more than 500 of the world’s top scientists and environmentalists, Hackson and three LSRCA senior staff received the prize which, in addition to a commemorative statue, includes a monetary award of AUD$350,000 (CDN $326,000). They attended the Riversymposium and Rivers from Source to Sea Conference, along with more than 500 of the world’s top scientists and environmentalists, to present the advanced science of the LSRCA.

“We are here today among the world’s leaders in environmental science,” said LSRCA’s CAO Gayle Wood, “and they have honored us with this international distinction. We are very proud to accept on behalf of all of our partners.”

International judging panel Chair, Professor Paul Greenfield, says the Riverprize offers organisations committed to water sustainability a unique opportunity to take action on their river rescue ideas. “The extraordinary achievements of individuals and groups who are passionate about good water management never cease to amaze the judging panel”.

Runners up this year included the Avon River (England), the Lower Owens River (United States), the Yellow River (China) and the Polochic Basin (Guatemala).

Get more information about the award here

Further information:
Susan Jagminas
Acting Manager of Corporate Communications
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
905.895.1281