2015 – Niagara River, USA
Awarded for the first time in 2015, the North American Riverprize was awarded in partnership with River Network, celebrating excellence in the restoration, protection or management of rivers on the North American continent.
The Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper received the award for their 25 years of collaborative restoration works within the Buffalo-Niagara River Watershed. Among their many achievements, Riverkeeper has ensured that the once biologically dead Buffalo River is now on a trajectory to be de-listed as an Area of National Concern by 2019.
“Even with all the odds against you, there is always a path forward to restoration and recovery.” – Jill Jedlicka, Executive Director and Riverkeeper for Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper.
“The community used the opportunity to establish a vision with innovative strategies, trying new infrastructure, and developing novel working relationships. They have gone beyond the local issues to involve Canada and the Great Lakes communities to restore the River. It is a classic example containing all the elements the judges were looking for in the first North American Riverprize winner.” – Chris Garman, Judging Panel Chair.
