Congratulations to the 2020 IRU Annual River Award Recipients!
Every year, IRU presents awards to a handful of members and partners that have gone above and beyond in their commitment to our rivers and organization. Amidst the many challenges of 2020, these individuals and organizations forged unique and creative ways to further our mission. Their steadfast commitment and investment in our work helped IRU accomplish incredible things this year. We are grateful to all of you. Thank you for your incredible work!
2020 IRU River Awards
Member of the Year Award:
Doug Zamzow
Doug has been an active member of Idaho Rivers United for over 15 years, and we are tremendously grateful for his sustaining support. Doug continued to stay involved and engaged throughout the challenging year of 2020. He championed IRU’s inaugural “River Run” in August of 2020, racking up miles on his bike every day in support of IRU’s mission. He takes action on all of IRU’s conservation initiatives: writing letters, signing petitions, and engaging in issues.
We are thankful for Doug Zamzow and happy to honor him as Member of the Year!
Business Partner of the Year Award:
Maravia-Cascade River Gear & 10 Barrel Brewing Co.
Last summer, Maravia-Cascade River Gear and 10 Barrel Brewing Boise brewed up a partnership to support Idaho Rivers United. They created a river-specific beer, auctioned off a boat, and donated more than $13,000 to IRU! The funds raised through their partnership have helped IRU continue program work that is centered around restoring fish to abundant levels, protecting state’s rights to manage their own waters, protect citizen’s rights to be informed, and preserve and protect free-flowing rivers.
Both businesses exhibit their love and commitment to protecting rivers all year round. Rivers are a central factor for their companies: paddling recreation and for good clean water for beer. Their support goes beyond raising money; they both raise awareness, engage our community in positive environmental actions, and share their love of Idaho's rivers.
IRU is grateful for this dynamic duo’s business partnership and thrilled to have their dedicated support and efforts to share the importance of protecting our rivers.
Salmon Advocate of the Year Award:
Dave Cannamela
Few people have championed salmon restoration as long or as fervently as Dave Cannamela. His passion was on full display this past year. He authored numerous op-eds and letters to the editor in support of restoration of the Snake River, and was a constant presence, giving public testimony, at nearly every meeting of the Governor’s Salmon Working Group. A longtime friend and advisor to Idaho Rivers United, Dave is an invaluable resource to the region for his expertise on salmon recovery, and his science-based plans to see these iconic species flourish once again in the Snake River Basin. We are privileged to have as staunch an advocate as Dave, and are honored to bestow the Tom Stuart award to Dave for his contributions.
Water Protection Advocate of the Year Award:
Ben Stookesberry
Ben Stookesberry knows many rivers, and knows them well. As a world-renowned expedition kayaker and filmmaker, Ben has spent the last 2 decades traveling the continents while making first descents on rivers of all sizes, and documenting his adventures. Through these experiences, he has witnessed both the irreplaceable beauty and magnificence of our planet’s rivers, and the threats they face.
Like many globe-trotting kayakers, the South Fork Salmon River holds a special place in Ben’s heart. When the public comment opportunity opened for the Stibnite Gold Project proposed by Midas Gold Corporation in the SF Salmon headwaters, Ben stepped up to advocate for this irreplaceable river.
Through passionate storytelling, Ben leveraged his social media platform to engage a broad and diverse audience, helping to spread awareness, information and resources, and encourage public comment. His inquisitive nature brought important questions to the table, and his talents for visual storytelling helped to inspire action.
Ben’s outreach and engagement efforts helped to create a groundswell of voices that rose up with concerns about the impacts and risks of a large-scale gold mining operation in the headwaters of one of the west’s most beloved river systems. As a result, over 1500 public comments were submitted through IRU’s action portal to the US Forest Service. Public comment is a critical component of the National Environmental Policy Act, and Ben’s efforts provided a springboard for action in a time when the South Fork Salmon River needed it most.
IRU thanks Ben for all of his efforts to inform his audience and inspire action!
Conservation Partner of the Year Award:
Idaho Conservation League - John Robison
Partnerships have always been a bedrock component of our conservation successes, and while we had numerous worthy candidates to choose from, John Robison of the Idaho Conservation League is this year’s Conservation Partner of the Year. The Idaho Conservation League has been a critical partner for numerous campaigns throughout the years, and this year, in particular, the work of John and the Public Lands team were significant on a number of fronts. Their partnership was crucial in our efforts to minimize the impacts of the proposed Newcrest mining operation in the Jarbidge, the campaign to stop the harmful Midas Gold Stibnite Project, and the continued protection of the Owyhee Canyonlands. We look forward to continuing collaborations with ICL and our many partners in the years to come, because in unity, we have strength.
“IRU is a resounding voice for Idaho’s rivers. They do great work, whether on their own or in partnerships. When IRU is successful, Idaho’s rivers and fish and the communities that depend on them all benefit.” – John Robison, Idaho Conservation