The most prestigious award that the District has to offer is the Volunteer of the Year. This award goes to that individual that best displays all the attributes we look for in a volunteer-the total contribution in hours, willingness to grow, and quality of work. Each year, the Volunteer of the Year receives a framed certificate, a gift certificate, has his or her name displayed on the Volunteer of the plaque of past winners for display at the District office, and their own personal plaque presented at the Board of Commissioners meeting in May.

2006 Volunteer of the Year Award winner is:

Rita Renwick, the 2006 Volunteer of the Year, has been active in working with volunteers at Lake Renwick Heron Rookery for years. She is responsible for scheduling volunteers from Will County Audubon to provide public programs at the rookery, for staffing spring and fall migratory bird hikes, and for meeting with staff to organize and implement annual trainings for volunteers who provide public programs at Lake Renwick.

Rita herself has staffed the visitor center at Lake Renwick along with her son and has given adult educational presentations that answer questions with regards to the rookery today and its history. She consistently provides visitors with positive experiences at Lake Renwick and offers support to the District with facility management. She continues to recruit new volunteers to assist at the rookery.

Because of her dedication and commitment, Rita Renwick was selected the Volunteer of the Year for 2006.

Congratulations to our 2006 Volunteer of the Year, Rita Renwick.

For information on the Prairie People Volunteer program, call 815.727.8700.