River Rock Star Award

The River Rock Star Award honors a company, group, or individual that has used their creative gifts and/or innovative methods to benefit Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and raise awareness about the importance of protecting the Chattahoochee River, drinking water source for 3.5 million Georgians.

In 2011, we presented our River Rock Star Award to Rhett Turner and Jonatham Wickham for their hour-long documentary released in 2010, Chattahoochee: From Water War to Water Vision, which has brought much needed attention to the plight of our river and the complexities surrounding the Tri-State Water War .

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *         

In 2010, we honored Ed Roland of Collective Soul for his generous contribution of time and talent to raise visibility and funds for the cause of ensuring that the Chattahoochee River remains a source of clean, abundant water for now and for generations to come.

In addition to turning our River Revival two years ago into a sell-out event and bringing new members to the cause, his benefit concert at Eddie’s Attic at the end of 2009 was a tremendous help in bringing in much needed funds during a very lean year for all nonprofits.

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *         

In 2009 UCR presented its first River Rock Star Award to RIOT Atlanta, a high-end local design and broadcast studio which created exceptional videos – a PSA and two short films about UCR and the Chattahoochee - pro bono.

RIOT employees participated in a river cleanup last year and undertook an art project turning river trash and eco-friendly materials into a 5x10 Water is Life mural with 200 free-standing sections (pictured right). Of these, 180 were sent to Riot’s clients as holiday gifts along with a message about UCR and the Chattahoochee. The 20 remaining sections were auctioned off on eBay this spring, raising more than $1500 for UCR.