Vickie Lee was elected to a three-year term on the board of directors; and Daigen Afdahl and Brian King were re-elected for three year terms.
River Keepers Friend of the River Award which recognizes outstanding work efforts in promoting the goals of River Keepers was presented to Linda Norland. Linda came to River Keepers in 2016 and asked us if she could redesign our website as her capstone project for graduating from NDSU with a New Media and Web Design degree. She worked with staff to get information on what was and wasn’t working in the website that we had, provided ideas, and created a more user-friendly and more aesthetically pleasing website. In addition, she trained staff and left us written instructions on how to easily update the website.
Linda didn’t just finish the project and call it done, she graciously continues to help us when an update goes awry or we want to try something different. Her work with River Keepers has been an outstanding example of a professional remote volunteer.
Linda characterizes the description of the Friend of the River because of her work in helping River Keepers increase public awareness of the Red River, its uses, and water related issues by disseminating accurate information.
Linda was unable to join us but her dad, Jack, accepted the award on her behalf.
Jill Wilkey was recognized as the outgoing board president. Before being elected to the Board of Directors, Jill helped Christine Holland in the hiring process which resulted in Kim Radebaugh being hired as Project Coordinator. Jill joined the board in 2017. Not only has she served as President from 2022-2024, but she has been active in the board-led fundraisers Celebrate Our Red and the Catfish Cup as well as volunteering for various activities and participating in Race the Red.
Mike Bush, an assistant professor in the biology department at Concordia College, led all attendees through one of our water festival activities called Invaders! which helps students learn about aquatic invasive species.
