River Corridor Foundation presents Golden Turtle Awards

The River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles presented its annual Golden Turtle Awards during the memorial fundraiser Aug. 9. This year, the eighth annual Bob Leonard Memorial fundraiser featured a 10K River Run and a 5K Canine Companion Run, as well as the annual 5K walk and the Colonial Café "Turtle Hurdle" Obstacle Course.

These Golden Turtle awards recognize a person, group or organization that has contributed significantly to the development, preservation, enhancement and appreciation of the Fox River Corridor in St. Charles.

An individual award was presented to Pam Otto, manager of nature programs and interpretive services at St. Charles Park District. She cultivates ongoing environmental partnerships with St. Charles Unit District 303, Kane County Audubon Society and the Kane County Forest Preserve District.

She has taught wetland ecology for 14 years. It is the first field trip the park district offers in partnership with District 303, roughly 1,000 kids per year, plus teachers and chaperones attend.

The group award went to the Pottawatomie Garden Club. Established in 1928, this award-winning group of around 120 active volunteer members have enhanced and maintained both public and private properties in St. Charles. Each spring and fall, the club plants flowers on the Main and Illinois street bridges and all around downtown St. Charles. The club also provides the stewardship of the native planting areas along the Bob Leonard walkway.

Awards were presented by Holly Cabel, president of the River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles.

"It is my honor to present these two annual Golden Turtle awards to Pam Otto and the Pottawatomie Garden Club," Cabel said.

For information and photos, visit www.STCRiverCorridor.org.