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Those that favor industry and progress are held in high regard in Alaska, but those that attempt to protect the state's natural resources are rarely recognized for their efforts to keep the Greatland great.

However, Robert Ruffner has been able to transcend petty politics to bring people together for the common goal of maintaining the health of the Kenai Peninsula watersheds, and in recognition of these efforts he will receive the 2008 River Network River Hero Award this weekend in Huron, Ohio.

"In an area where resource development and exploitation are the norm, and 'environmentalist' is often considered a derogatory term, Robert has been able to build bridges among diverse groups, helping people to recognize their common interest in maintaining healthy river systems," said Jan Yaeger, who on behalf of the Kenai Watershed Forum (KWF), nominated Ruffner for the award.

The award is presented by the River Network, a national nonprofit organization based out of Portland, Ore., that works to support grassroots groups working for watershed protection by providing them with information, training, consultation and connections to other organizations with similar interests.

"We're not looking for someone that gets in and gets out. We're looking for those individuals that are inspirational leaders, with innovative strategies, that foster growth and sustainability of their watershed over the long haul," said Katherine Luscher, partnership program director for River Network.

"It's always a competitive process that's difficult to draw winners from, but Robert rose to the top," Luscher added.

The board of directors and staff of the KWF thought so as well, which is the reason they nominated Ruffner for the award. According to Yaeger, Ruffner led the way for the KWF to change from a small band of like-minded individuals into an effective conservation organization.

"He has transformed the organization from a fledgling group with one employee and a budget described as seed money, to a highly respected local entity with nine employees and an annual budget of approximately two million," she said.

Yaeger said just a few of the accomplishments under Ruffner's leadership include: the first systematic water quality collection program and baseline study of the Kenai River ? a study which revealed excessive hydrocarbon levels in the river during the month of July; the first large-scale culvert assessment of the Kenai Peninsula; implementation of a fish passage restoration program; a wetlands mapping and functional assessment, development of a peninsula-wide watershed education program for K-12, and including adults; and the inception of the Kenai River Festival ? an annual event that brings more than 5,000 people together to celebrate the Kenai River.

John Williams, Mayor of the Kenai Peninsula Borough, also believed Ruffner deserved the award and cited the reason why in a letter that he sent to accompany Ruffner's nomination.

"In my experience of over 40 years in local government, few people can testify at a public hearing and impact a group of policy makers and the public more than Robert Ruffner. He has the uncanny ability to work with and bring stakeholders together to solve problems that affect our rivers," Williams said.

Phil North, an ecologist with the U.S. Environmental protection Agency, cited several reasons Ruffner deserved the award in a letter he sent in as well.

"Robert tactfully defied tendencies of people to brand him as a member of a particular camp. He reached out to those that might have been considered his natural adversaries and made them his allies," North said.

To learn more about the 2008 River Network River Hero Award visit the River network Web site at www.rivernetwork.org. To learn more about Ruffner and his accomplishments with the Kenai Watershed Forum, visit their Web site at www.kenaiwatershed.org.

Joseph Robertia can be reached at joseph.robertia@peninsulaclarion.com.