The John Palensky Memorial River Conservation Fund supports WaterWatch projects that are specific to the Columbia River and its' tributaries.  The Colubia River Basin was John's favorite river system.

The fund also supports an annual award in John's memory and recognizes those, with a special passion, who work to protect, restore and promote the Columbia River and its' tributaries.

John Palensky made many significant contributions to saving fish and wildlife in the Northwest. WaterWatch was extremely fortunate to have John serve on our board of directors.  Read John's bio here.

At the 2007 WaterWatch banquet and auction, A Celebration of Oregon Rivers, John's family was presented with the first John Palensky Memorial River Conservation Award.

Each year this award is presented to someone who represents John's conservation passion.

If you would like to nominate someone for this award, please contact us by submitting an email to: info@waterwatch.org. 

Donations to the John Palensky Fund can be made online, here, be sure to select "yes" for John's fund.  Or you can mail your donation to:

WaterWatch of Oregon
Attn: John Palensky Fund
213 SW Ash, Suite 208
Portland, OR 97204

2008 Recipient

This year, the award went to James Ruff, during the annual banquet.

Jim Ruff has worked on Columbia Basin river and salmon issues through his service with federal and state agencies, and as a WaterWatch Board member. Throughout his career, Jim’s guiding principle has been to protect and restore river ecosystems.

Currently Jim is the Manager of Mainstem Passage and River Operations for the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, where he is responsible for strategic development and monitoring of Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program measures. Previously, he served as Chief of the Federal Columbia River Power System Branch with National Marine Fisheries Service and as a senior hydrologist for the Northwest Power Planning Council’s Fish and Wildlife Division.  Jim has also worked as a planning engineer with Oregon Water Resources Department.

A charter member of the WaterWatch Board, Jim served from 1985 to 1999, including serving as President his last five years.  Jim’s leadership and passion for WaterWatch helped guide passage of Oregon's 1987 landmark Instream Water Rights Act and the Conserved Water statute, and helped lay the groundwork for removal of Savage Rapids Dam.

We are proud to present this year’s John Palensky Memorial River Conservation award in honor of Jim’s dedicated past, present and future work to protect the Columbia River and its tributaries.