About the Clean Lakes Community Awards
The Clean Lakes Community Awards recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of individuals, volunteers, businesses, farmers, and other groups working to protect our Yahara lakes. The awards honor the dedication of individuals and groups making a difference in our watershed.
Award Categories
- New Lake Partner of the Year (business/organization): A new Lake Partner for Clean Lakes Alliance showing a level of commitment that goes beyond a first-time financial contribution.
- Volunteer of the Year (individual/group): A dedicated individual or group of volunteers working to restore and preserve our Yahara lakes.
- Lake Leadership (individual/group): An individual or business, government entity, or organization leading by example and demonstrating their commitment to being a catalyst for healthy lakes.
- Project of the Year (individual/group): An initiative or project that improves the health of the Yahara Watershed
- Founders Award (individual/business/organization): A devoted individual, business, or organization that has provided foundational support to Clean Lakes Alliance and our Yahara lakes.
Note: Awards may not be handed out in each category ever year. The selection committee reserves the right to move a nominee to a different category.
Congratulations to our 2020 Clean Lakes Community Awards recipients!
In addition, we recognized volunteer water quality monitors who have served for five years. Thank you to Kitty Brussock, Ada Hazen, Arlene and Jeff Koziol, Tim Lechmaier, Terri Lefebvre and Joe Campshure, Allan Levin!
Clean Lakes Community Awards History:
2020
- New Lake Partner of the Year - Honeybee Cannabis Company
- Individual Lake Leadership Award - Eliza Gepner - Eliza Makes Art
- Organization Lake Leadership Award - University of Wisconsin
- Volunteer of the Year - Robert Bertera
- Urban Project of the Year - City of Monona
- Rural Project of the Year - Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy
- Founders Award - Roger Bannerman
In addition, we recognized volunteer water quality monitors who have served for five years. Thank you to Kitty Brussock, Ada Hazen, Arlene and Jeff Koziol, Tim Lechmaier, Terri Lefebvre and Joe Campshure, Allan Levin! Read more about our 2020 award recipients.2020 Clean Lakes Community Awards Recipients
2019
- New Lake Partner of the Year - Patrick Ellestad of Edward Jones
- Individual Lake Leadership Award - Jackie Hering of the Big Swell Swim series
- Business Lake Leadership Award - Highland Spring Farm
- Volunteer of the Year - MSCR Pontoon Program
- Founders Award - Greg Dombrowski
- Urban Project of the Year - Trash Talkers
- Rural Project of the Year - Yahara Pride Farms' manure composting program
- Lake Champion - Joanna Burish
In addition, we recognized volunteer water quality monitors who have served for five years. Thank you to Jill Storms Ball, George Benton, Mark Jung, Zak Redding, Kim Sprecher, Janet Van Vleck, and Ken Walz! Read more about our 2019 award recipients.2019 Clean Lakes Community Awards Recipients
2018
- New Lake Partner of the Year - Naturalake Biosciences
- Individual Lake Leadership Award - Tyler Leeper of Madison Boats
- Business Lake Leadership Award - National Guardian Life Insurance Company
- Volunteers of the Year - Arlene and Jeff Koziol
- Founders Award - The Gialamas Company, Inc.
- Project of the Year - Dane County "Suck the Muck"2018 Clean Lakes Community Awards Recipients
2017
- Lake Stewardship Lumley Leadership Award - Clean Fuel Partners
- Volunteer Service Lumley Leadership Award - Trey Sprinkman of Sprinkman Real Estate
- Organizational Commitment Lumley Leadership Award - CG Schmidt
2016
- Lake Stewardship Lumley Leadership Award - Lloyd Eagan
- Volunteerism Lumley Leadership Award - Marta Gialamas, Chas Martin, and Tina Noel
- Organizational Commitment Lumley Leadership Award - Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District
2015
- Steward of the Year - Mike Gerner
- Volunteer of the Year - Joanna Burish
- Organization of the Year - Dave Lumley, Spectrum Brands
- Schooling for Cleaner Lakes Award - Centro Hispano, Madison West High School
- Schooling for Cleaner Lakes Pre-K to 5th Grade - Meeting House Nursery School
2014
- Watershed Stewardship Award - Jon Standridge
- Volunteer of the Year - Michael Kosolcharoen
- Community Art Project Winners - Lowell Elementary School, West High School, and Phil Gaebler
2013
Volunteer of the Year - Marilee Gorman
