International Thiess Riverprize
The International Thiess Riverprize recognizing excellence in river management is awarded each year to the project that best provides an incentive to further the worldwide effort of restoring the health of rivers. It is open to an organization, agency or group of organizations that can demonstrate outstanding achievement in river management.
Nominations are sought from organizations and community groups engaged in best practice river and catchments management and environmental repair from around the world to enter the International Thiess Riverprize. The prize money for the International Thiess Riverprize is funded by the International Riverfoundation, established to advocate the protection and restoration of the world's rivers and waterways for future generations. The administration of the prize is managed by Riverfestival.
In 2004, the Siuslaw Basin Partnership won the Thiess International Riverprize and was encouraged by the International Riverfoundation to "twin" with another country to share expertise in restoring waterways. The Siuslaw Basin Partnership chose to work with some of Russia’s Sakhalin Island communities because of the similarities in landscape and common salmon issues. The Wild Salmon Center out of Portland, Oregon, joined the Partnership in their efforts because they have already been working toward an objective of restoring salmon habitat in Russia and have established long-standing connections to that country.
Contributed Introduction and Siuslaw segment to 10th Anniversary celebration book, River Journeys