Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful (KTNRB) is currently seeking applications for the first annual Tennessee River Ripple Effect Awards presented by Yamaha Rightwaters. The awards will recognize winners of nine categories at ceremonies in the four states of Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Kentucky.
“There are so many individuals and groups that have long been working to protect and improve our waterways, often playing the role of unsung heroes on the Tennessee River, which is ironically also known as the ‘Singing River,’” said Kathleen Gibi, executive director for KTNRB. “We feel it’s time to sing their praises!”
The goal of the awards is to inspire new river champions in sharing success stories, thus the concept behind the ‘Ripple Effect’ title.
The 2019 Ripple Effect Award categories include:
· Conservation
· Adopt a River Mile
· Standout Youth
· Marina
· Corporation
· Government Department
· Keep America Beautiful Affiliate
· Elected Official
· Beacon (ongoing leadership)
Each winner will receive a glass trophy that resembles a rippling river. The awards are sponsored by Yamaha Rightwaters, a sustainability initiative of the international watercraft company, Yamaha.
"Yamaha Rightwaters is fighting to protect our most precious and essential natural resource – water,” said Martin Peters Yamaha Marine Division manager, Government Relations. “It embodies all of Yamaha's conservation initiatives, and becomes a platform for many plans the company has in store to improve our water resources.
“We are proud to partner with Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful in their efforts to preserve and protect this amazing resource so that future generations can continue to enjoy the Tennessee River for decades to come."
Held in sync with cleanups celebrating October as ‘Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful Month,’ awards will be presented at three locations:
Tennessee Awards
Sunday, Sept. 29 at 9:30 a.m.
Lakeside Tavern
10911 Concord Park Drive, Knoxville, TN 37922
Alabama/Mississippi Awards
Friday, Oct. 4 at 8:30 a.m.
Guntersville State Park Lodge
1155 Lodge Drive, Guntersville, AL 35976
Kentucky Awards
Saturday, October 19, at 8:30 a.m.
Kenlake State Park Bayview Building
Kenlake Resort Park, Benton, KY 42025
All nominations are due by Friday, Sept. 13.
Nomination forms may be submitted at www.KeepTNRiverBeautiful.org/awards.