Each year, HRWC is honored to recognize a few special stewards for their outstanding service to the Huron River watershed. We are inspired by and appreciate their efforts in watershed restoration and protection.
Please join us to celebrate the many achievements of these river stewards at our River Givers Gathering at Arbor Brewing Company, 720 Norris Street, Ypsilanti on Thursday, March 13th. Remarks and Stewardship Awards Presentation at 5:30pm.
Big Splash — the Weber Sisters
This year, the Big Splash award goes to Wendy Weber and her sisters, Elizabeth and Pamela Weber, and Linda Turner, for their dedication to HRWC’s Water Quality Monitoring programs. For over a decade, the Webers have been supporting HRWC’s biological, physical, and chemical monitoring programs. These programs have identified problems in many creeks, and thanks to many improvement projects by our partners, we see significant increases in both macroinvertebrate abundance and diversity, as well as improved water quality. Their support of these programs also honors their father, Walter J. Weber, Jr., and his life-long passion for clean water. Wendy Weber (pictured) reflects on this legacy, saying “My sisters and I continue to support our dad’s life work and passion for quality water. As one of our most precious and sought-after natural resources, it becomes clearer every day how important his vision was. HRWC’s monitoring work keeps the river clean and our father’s passion alive.” Cheers to the Weber sisters for their vision and leadership in this critical area of clean water work!
Volunteer of the Year — Brenda Donaldson
At the onset of HRWC’s lake monitoring program, Brenda Donaldson was exactly the advocate we needed. Growing up in the Missouri Ozarks, she was introduced by her father, a farmer, to the importance of land conservation. Brenda’s father—along with other neighbors and community members—ensured that corporate farming, government relocation programs, and damming of the area rivers were prevented in the 1960s and early 70s. Their efforts paid off in that the Mark Twain National Forest and the National Current River Waterways were established, and the area is now a major tourist area for kayaking and canoeing. This conservation legacy has been carried on in Michigan by Brenda and her brother. Over forty years ago Brenda moved to the area for her medical residency, at which time she fell in love with the Great Lakes, inland lakes, and sailing. Over twenty years ago she purchased her first lake property at the Halfmoon Chain and has since purchased other property around the lake for preservation. Her brother has also been involved in the purchase of several properties in the UP around inland lakes for the purpose of conservation. Brenda was a founding member of the Halfmoon Lake Community Association, and she shared her belief that a key to conservation is educating the public, especially children, as they are the future recipients and caretakers of the natural environment.
Hall of Fame — Jerry Hancock
After 34 years working at the City of Ann Arbor, one of the Huron River’s biggest supporters retired in 2024. Jerry has been a patient visionary the whole time. Jerry has a calm presence and perseverance that was very productive in his position as the City’s Stormwater and Floodplain Programs Coordinator. When he saw opportunities for pushing forward ideas of others, he was present. When a good idea needed time, he made sure it wasn’t forgotten. Jerry helped significantly with numerous city initiatives that will benefit the Huron for decades to come. Jerry was a VERY early adopter of the rain garden program, building one at his own home. He helped rework detention pond design requirements and maintenance programs. He created the city’s Floodplain Management Overlay Zoning District, which took over 15 years to complete passage. He was ready with a ‘shovel ready plan’ when an unexpected funding opportunity was presented to the city, which resulted in the stormwater (and pedestrian) underpass from Depot Street to the Huron River in Ann Arbor. That project halted regular and significant flooding in the nearby neighborhood. These are only some of Jerry’s career accomplishments. If you’d like to catch up with Jerry, he’s still the Executive Director of the Michigan Stormwater and Floodplain Association (michiganfloods.org). You can also find him playing bass guitar at a local venue with one of his half dozen bands.
HRWC has tremendous gratitude for our Stewardship Award honorees, as well as our vibrant and dedicated volunteer community. You can learn more at HRWC.org/volunteer and we hope to see you out along the river soon!