Save Barton Creek Association 2019 Award Recipients
Congratulations to our award recipients! Read about the work of these incredibly dedicated environmental heroes below.
Jackie Vay received our Rising Star Award. A St.Edward’s University Alumni, who interned at SBCA during her undergrad, today she works full time for the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer District as Outreach Specialist, working on their education programs. She worked for the Texas River School as a River Guide. She was involved in SBCA’s Explorer’s Guide to the Hill Country Oasis. She also finds time to volunteer at the Becker Elementary student garden, and as a leader in SBCA’s young professional’s group, Creek Crew. She credits Save Our Springs, SBCA, Karen Kocher and Living Springs, and The Texas River School for getting her way she is today.
Brigid Shea received our Environmental Policy Leadership Award. Commissioner Shea serves on the Travis County Commissioners Court, and is currently serving on the board of Texas Campaign for the Environment, the national Clean Water Action board and the national board of ICLEI, International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives.Brigid’s prior environmental record is extensive and includes coordinating a successful national strategy to get cities across the US, leading the Save Our Springs Ordinance movement, pushing passage of the first wind energy project in Texas in partnership, and much more!
The award for Outstanding Organization was accepted by Jessica Karlsruher, the Executive Director of the Texas Real Estate Advocacy and Defense Coalition (TREAD). They are relatively new on the scene but are already making a big difference organizing communities against polluter interests. They are fighting the Permian Highway pipeline, and are also raising concerns over direct discharge of wastewater into local creeks.
Joe Riddell received our Lifetime Achievement Award. Joe is an avid inner tuber, first floating down Barton Creek in 1973 and consequently falling in love with it. He was an active member of the Zilker Park Posse, Save Barton Creek Association, and the council-appointed task forces that drafted proposed development rules for Williamson Creek and the lower watersheds. He had a 20 year career as a lawyer in the Environmental Protection Division at the Texas Attorney General’s office. He also helped word-smith the SOS citizen initiative ordinance. His latest project is to get the city to improve safety for inner tubers and kayakers just above Barton Springs pool.
Steve Beers received our Relentless Organizer Award. He is an active board member on SBCA, and has been involved in activism against highways over the aquifer. He has spearheaded SBCA’s work against the totally nonsensical and non-context sensitive “solution” to traffic issues at the Y, the Oak Hill Parkway, and has been a central figure in the group FIX290. He had strong leadership against the Dripping Springs Sewage Treatment Plant, and now the proposed Long Branch treatment plant, which led to SBCA organizing the No Dumping Sewage campaign with allied organizations. He has also led opposition to several other developments and highway projects over the years.