On Tuesday, January 18, Friends of the Fox River Watershed Monitoring Network (FRWMN) held their annual Member Appreciation Banquet at Rosie O'Hare's Public House in East Dundee. In 2004, the Monitoring Network had another great year of growth. Over 80 water quality monitoring sites have been established and monitored, over 2,500 youth and adults "got their feet wet" monitoring water quality in local streams, and more than 7,500 people were reached through the Network's education activities. The banquet was designed to celebrate these accomplishments and recognize the volunteers and partners who helped contribute to the Network's continued success. "The FRWMN is very fortunate to have such a diverse, talented & committed group of partners", said Gary Swick, Director of the Fox River Watershed Monitoring Network. "Each brings its own resources to build the Network.

Swick presented several awards to FRWMN members who support the Network enabling it to offer and achieve so much through the contributions of its partners.

The Reese's Clean-Up Award is awarded to an individual working to build a foundation for protection of the Fox River. This year's recipient was attorney and business owner Thom McNamee of East Dundee.  For over a decade, McNamee has actively encouraged others to take an active role in cleaning up the Fox River.  He generously helps sponsor Friends of the Fox River's semi-annual Fox Rescues as well as sponsors his own independent river clean ups.  He is a trained water quality monitor and a dedicated advocate of the Fox River.

This year's recipient of the Fox Environmental Hero Award was Dave Rigby, seventh-grade teacher at Johnsburg Middle School in Johnsburg. The award is given to an individual who exemplifies the passion set by The Fox of giving to the people of the Fox Valley a better environment for the future. Rigby's accomplishments include authorship of Riviere des Renards "The Illinois Fox", a water quality education curriculum used by nearly 2,000 students each year; annual water quality monitoring of four stream sites in the Fox River Valley, and teaching thousands of students to love and appreciate the Fox River over the duration of his teaching career.  "Dave inspires others to be caretakers of our river through his actions and his words.  He is a true friend of the Fox River," said Sue Bennett, Monitoring Network Coordinator for Friends of the Fox River.

The evening not only was a chance to thank members for their contributions but it offered another purpose, as Swick explained "The banquet also allows new members of the Network to make important connections with Network resources. Veterans provide comfort, motivation, and inspiration to each other."

For more information in the Friends of the Fox River's Watershed Monitoring Network, please visit www.friendsofthefoxriver.org.