10:16 a.m., June 12, 2009----The Delaware Nature Society (DNS) presented its Conservation Award to Jerry Kauffman, project director of the Institute for Public Administration's Water Resources Agency (WRA), at its annual meeting at the Ashland Nature Center in Hockessin, Del.

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The award is given by DNS to honor those who have been devoted to protecting Delaware's important natural resources and biodiversity.

Prior to the presentation, DNS executive director Michael Riska talked about Kauffman's contributions and leadership in water conservation.

“Delawareans are enjoying more plentiful supplies of drinking water and cleaner streams thanks in large part to the dedication, commitment and enthusiasm of Jerry Kauffman,” Riska said. “Jerry and his [WRA colleagues] provide critical planning and policy guidance to state and local governments, as well as technical assistance and Geographic Information Systems mapping support to nonprofit organizations.”

Riska added, “In addition to these successes, Jerry consistently demonstrates a partnership ethic and a willingness to bring together broad constituencies to meet shared goals.”

Kauffman has taken on the role of Delaware co-coordinator of the Christina Basin Clean Water Partnership (CBCWP), an interstate initiative to restore the watershed that provides 60 percent of Delaware's drinking water to fishable and swimmable status by 2015. CBCWP recently completed a $1 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Targeted Watershed Initiative grant that was the top-ranked watershed-grant application out of 170 nationwide.

Before calling Kauffman to the podium to receive the award, Riska thanked him on behalf of DNS. “The Delaware Nature Society and our partners have benefited greatly from the work of Jerry Kauffman and the University of Delaware's Water Resources Agency.”

In accepting, Kauffman said, “It indeed is my pleasure and privilege to accept such an award. It recognizes the contributions of all, including the DNS, who work for clean and abundant water resources in Delaware.”

Kauffman then reflected on the hydrologic treasure here in northern Delaware.

“You know, several droughts ago when my wife and I moved to Delaware with a 1- and a 3-year-old, we got lost one day and came upon a covered bridge and wandered around the Ashland Preserve. It struck me that day that to have this wonderful, sylvan watershed so close to the megalopolis is a rare treat indeed. It is a big part of what makes Delaware so special.”

Article by Mark Deshon
Photo by John Harrod