Buffalo Grove resident named Steward of the Year

Since 2006, the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission Stormwater Awards Program has recognized outstanding efforts by organizations, communities, groups and individuals for projects and other proactive and innovative efforts to improve water quality, reduce flooding, and help restore the natural drainage system.

Buffalo Grove resident and Buffalo Grove Park District Environmental Action Team founder Jeff Weiss is the 2016 recipient of the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission's Steward of the Year Award.

Jeff Weiss founded the Buffalo Creek Clean Water Partnership, and led the grass-roots effort to develop and implement the Buffalo Creek Watershed-Based Plan. Along the way, Weiss has successfully engaged local governments, residents and businesses to cooperatively improve water quality through data-driven decision-making.

Weiss spearheaded a watershed-wide monitoring effort that included portions of both Lake and Cook counties, utilizing the RiverWatch program, and produced data that can be used to target the most effective projects.

He also tirelessly volunteers his time to numerous projects that enhance the community and watershed, and coordinates an annual stream cleanup on Buffalo Creek. Weiss leads the Buffalo Grove Park District's Environmental Action Team, and is a volunteer steward at Deer Grove Forest Preserve in Cook County.

Buffalo Grove Park District Executive Director Ryan Risinger said, "Over the course of many years, Jeff really has done a lot of great things for the community regarding a variety of environmental issues. In addition to his activity with the Buffalo Creek Clean Water Partnership, Jeff leads our Environmental Action Team here in Buffalo Grove, which is a group of resident volunteers that have addressed issues of invasive plant species throughout our park system, as well as coordinating recycling efforts for things like electronics, eye glasses and bicycles."

"This honor is possible only because of active involvement by other volunteers, staff from all eight villages in the watershed, and professional staff from Lake and Cook counties," said Jeff Weiss.

"With their continued support, we can begin to implement the watershed plan and improve water quality, reduce damage from flooding and erosion, and improve habitats for plants and wildlife in and along Buffalo Creek.

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