Vernon Hills, IL – Brian Valleskey, CFM, was awarded the Dick Hilton Watershed Award by the Illinois Lakes Management Association (ILMA LAKES). The Dick Hilton Watershed Award recognizes the efforts of individuals, businesses, organizations or communities for making signification contributions to stewardship of a watershed within the State of Illinois. The award was presented at the annual ILMA LAKES conference held in Crystal Lake.

Brian was recognized for his efforts in a professional capacity as well as his volunteer work to help protect our water.  Prior to receiving the award, he was praised by a contemporary in the field:

“Brian Valleskey is a dedicated volunteer and professional advocate for watershed protection. As a water resources professional he has spent timeless hours developing strong partnerships and exceptional plans to protect our water here in Illinois and in his native state of Wisconsin. He plays fair with everyone and has been a mentor and friend of ILMA for many years. He is a members of the Technical Advisory Committee for SMC, Greater Pistakee Lake Watershed Partnership, 9 Lakes Watershed Initiative, Upper Des Plaines River Watershed, Buffalo Creek Watershed, Slocum Lake Protection Committee and VLMP for Slocum Lake. He is a past ILMA Board member where he was the brain child behind what is now the ILMA POD series.”

This year’s conference featured a variety of speakers and topics from Northeast Illinois and throughout the state and Midwest.  In addition to be honored with the Watershed Award, Brian also served as a speaker at the well attended event where his topic was Performing Shoreline Restoration in a T & E Species Hatchery.

To learn more about the Illinois Lakes Management Association, visit https://www.ilma-lakes.org/.