Winners of the 2016 Shoal Creek Awards

January 24, 2016  | By Shoal Creek Conservancy

We are pleased to announce the winners of our 2nd Annual Shoal Creek Awards celebrating the individuals and groups who have made significant positive impacts within the Shoal Creek Watershed and beyond!

 

Winners of the 2016 Shoal Creek Awards

Bob Armstrong Award for Lifetime Achievement in Conservation – Andrew Sansom

At the inaugural Shoal Creek Awards in 2015, the Conservancy created the Bob Armstrong Award for Lifetime Achievement in Conservation. This award extends beyond the borders of the Shoal Creek watershed and recognizes individuals for outstanding conservation efforts in Texas and across the United States. Robert Landis “Bob” Armstrong, the 24th Texas land commissioner, inspired this award because of his distinguished career devoted to public service. His environmental activism at the state and federal levels impacted millions, including his work in the creation of Big Bend Ranch State Park.

The award was posthumously bestowed upon Mr. Armstrong in 2015. This year, we are very pleased to honor Andrew Sansom with the Bob Armstrong Award for Lifetime Achievement in Conservation. We are excited to recognize his career of conservation leadership, service, and accomplishments in Texas as Executive Director of the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, former Director of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and former Executive Director of the Nature Conservancy of Texas.

Andrew Sansom has dedicated his life to environmental conservation, and has been instrumental in the implementation of a number of significant programs, including founding of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and adding over 500,000 acres to the State Parks and Wildlife Management Areas. Join us in congratulating Andrew Sansom and celebrating the great work he has accomplished in conservation.

 

Keystone Award – Whole Foods Market

This year’s Keystone Award is presented to Whole Foods Market for their extreme generosity in the aftermath of the Memorial Day 2015 flooding.

After many businesses along Lamar were damaged by the flood waters of Shoal Creek, Whole Foods was there to lend a helping hand in the rebuilding process by offering these businesses up to $1 million in emergency, no-interest loans. Whole Foods lucked out with little damage during the 2015 floods, but experienced a great deal of damage during the 1981 Memorial Day floods.

“We only survived in 1981 because of the outpouring of love and support from local businesses, customers, neighbors, supplier partners and dedicated team members,” stated co-founder and co-CEO John Mackey, “now 34 years and 419 stores later, we are able to return the favor to Austin and pay it forward to help the current generation of local businesses hurt by recent flooding.”

 

Hero Award – Austin Fire Department Special Operations

Austin Fire Department Special Operations is the recipient of the 2016 Shoal Creek Hero Award for saving the lives of many caught in the rapidly rising flood waters of Shoal Creek during the Memorial Day 2015 flooding. As most of Central Texas experienced heavy rains and sought shelter, the Special Operations unit were prepared and on standby ready to spring into action when needed. This unit responded to 20 water related incidents where all victims were safely rescued. Thank you for your hard work and dedication in keeping us safe during these times of natural disaster!

 

Business of the Year Award – Shoal Creek Saloon

Sitting on the banks of Shoal Creek, Shoal Creek Saloon has offered more to the neighborhood than great drinks and Louisiana cuisine. Owner Ray Canfield and manager Aimee Elbrecht have continuously cared for and helped preserve their segment of the creek and beyond.

The Saloon has been an advocate for Shoal Creek and take personal ownership of the area in front of their space. From investing in pruning and maintenance of trees in Duncan Park, to picking up trash and encouraging neighboring businesses to do the same, to even running off people caught spraying graffiti, Ray Canfield and staff have made a huge positive impact over the years on Shoal Creek.

This year, we recognize that dedication to conserving and improving Shoal Creek. Congratulations to Shoal Creek Saloon, our Business of the Year.

 

Good Neighbor Award – Tzu Chi Collegiate Association

Tzu Chi Collegiate Association is the recipient of this year’s Good Neighbor Award. The organization is committed to missions of education, charity, culture, and medicine. The Austin chapter has chosen to maintain the Shoal Creek greenbelt at Allandale as official adopters of this area through Keep Austin Beautiful’s Adopt-a-Creek program. TCCA has continuously worked to improve Shoal Creek and we applaud their effort and commitment to this part of Shoal Creek.

 

People’s Choice Award Nominees

Each of these nominees were crucial in their respective ways to Shoal Creek over the past year, and we could not be more grateful for their work.

Vote for your favorite here and be sure to join us at the 2016 Shoal Creek Awards to see the winner!

 

Thank you and congratulations to all of this year’s winners and nominees!