Liz Rupel received the 2024 Friend of Conservation Award, and received her honor from AISWCD President Tom Beyers at the MAGIC of Conservation conference in July.
The Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts’ Friend of Conservation Award is presented each year to an individual or organization that has in some manner benefitted natural resource conservation efforts on a regional or statewide basis.
This year’s true friend to conservation, AISWCD, and the state’s 97 Soil and Water Conservation Districts is Liz Rupel. A true champion of conservation, whose personal and professional dedication and impactful contribution has transformed the landscape of environmental stewardship in our beloved state.
Recognized as the Up & Coming Leader in the Illinois Times Best of Springfield in 2022, since joining the Illinois Stewardship Alliance in her role as Lead Organizer, Liz has upheld a standard of excellence in her position which has been instrumental in the implementation of the state’s Soil Health Week initiatives each year. Liz’s position demands that she engage with a variety of partners and work adaptively to consider the varied needs of legislators, conservation partners, ISA’s growing membership base, and a myriad other stakeholders, and the health and sustainability of ISA itself.
Our deepest gratitude to Liz Rupel for her contributions and her unwavering friendship to the conservation community. Her legacy will be an inspiration to protect and preserve our natural resources for generations to come.
