The Interagency Wild & Scenic Rivers Council, in partnership with the River Management Society, annually recognize excellence in protecting our country's wild & scenic rivers. In that same spirit, the U.S. Forest Service also recognizes their own staff, volunteers and partners who contribute to the agency's misson of protecting these rivers.

 

Jackie Diedrich Excellence in Leadership Award

Jackie worked—and continues to work—to improve management of the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System. The award recognizes a key individual in any of the four river-administering agencies that has shown outstanding leadership in going “above and beyond” to manage and protect wild and scenic rivers.

Past Winners
2018 – Cassie Thomas
2019 – Cathi Bailey
2020 – Helen Clough
2021 – Jennifer Back
2022 – Jim MacCartney
2023 – Dan Haas
2024 – Jamie Fosburgh

The Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council is accepting nominations through April 4, 2025.  Please use the nomination form below.

2025 Jackie Diedrich Leadership Award Nomination Form (Word)          2025 Jackie Diedrich Leadership Award Nomination Form (PDF)

 

U.S. Forest Service Wild & Scenic Rivers Awards

The U.S. Forest Service annually honors employees, volunteers and organizations who have demonstrated a significant contribution to the protection and enhancement of rivers in the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System or to the study of rivers for their potential addition to the National System. The categories the USFS recognizes are:

  • Outstanding Wild & Scenic River Stewardship
  • Outstanding River Manager/River Ranger
  • Outstanding Support to the Wild & Scenic Rivers Program

These awards provide an opportunity to recognize exceptional efforts taken by individuals, groups, and programs to protect and enhance the free-flowing condition, water quality, and outstandingly remarkable values of over 5,000 miles of wild and scenic rivers managed by the Forest Service. It is essential to recognize and honor the people and programs that have made significant contributions toward advancing our mission. You are strongly encouraged to think of internal and external nominees who have improved river-related service to the public, championed new and effective approaches to river stewardship, or otherwise displayed noteworthy dedication to a wild and scenic river, wild and scenic river study, or river identified as a candidate for future designation.

Nomination forms contain a description of each award and criteria for selection. Units are encouraged to submit succinct nominations that efficiently celebrate your nominee’s hard work and dedication. Please submit your nominations, and any questions, for the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Awards to Dusty Vaughn, Washington Office Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Program Specialist, at gary.vaughn@usda.gov.

Nominations are now being accepted through April 26. Please use the documents below to submit a nomination.

 

Other Awards

For other awards related to wild & scenic rivers, please visit the River Management Society's Awards Web Site.