The Potomac River Smallmouth Club Conservation Award is presented each year to an individual we feel has made significant contributions to the well-being of our area’s rivers.

2008: Britt and Leigh Stoudemire

Britt and Leigh were presented our Conservationist(s) of the Year Award for 2008 by virtue of their helping to spearhead the formation of the Concerned Citizens of Giles County to oppose the creating of a Fly Ash Fill in the 100 year flood plain of the New River of Giles County, VA. Britt and Leigh have worked tirelessly to ensure that this fly ash fill has not been unnoticed and constructed “under the radar” as was originally planned. Although they were not 100% successful in stopping this fill, they have been instrumental in making sure that the proper regulatory authorities are paying very close attention to this undertaking and the organization backing it. Their sacrifice of time and their effort and making sure the word got out about this issue displays the virtues we most appreciate and take pride in recognizing when we present this award.

2007: Herschel Finch

Herschel Finch was presented our Conservationist of the Year award for 2007 for his work with Jeff Kelble and the Shenandoah River Fish Kill Task Force in documenting the severity and extent of the kills during 2004 thru 2006. Herschel gave up many days of fishing and instead spent those Spring days looking for dead and moribund fish, documenting their locations, numbers, visible symptoms and taking photographs that were used extensively by the Fish Kill Task Force in their investigations and reports to the Governor of Virginia. These reports have also been used by regulatory agencies and fisheries managers in West VA, Maryland and Pennsylvania. To quote the award citation: “Herschel’s efforts in this reguard represent the very best of the ‘grassroots activist’ necessary in helping to protect our waterways.”