Renew Our Rivers, the river cleanup campaign spearheaded by Alabama Power, has been chosen Water Conservationist of the Year by the Alabama Wildlife Federation (AWF). The award, to be presented at a banquet next month, is part of the federation's annual Governor's Conservation Achievement Awards, the state's most prestigious conservation honor.

"The Governor's Conservation Achievement Awards promote leadership by example. Alabama Power's leadership in the Renew Our Rivers campaign is a perfect example of what these awards are all about," said Tim Gothard, AWF executive director.

The Alabama Wildlife Federation is the state's oldest and largest citizens' conservation organization. The Governor's Conservation Achievement Awards are presented to individuals and organizations that make great contributions to the conservation of Alabama's wildlife and natural resources.

The AWF award is the latest honor bestowed on Renew Our Rivers, a volunteer program that has removed more than 1.3 million pounds of trash and debris from three river systems in Alabama and Georgia.

"This award is a tribute to all the organizations that make Renew Our Rivers a success," said Willard Bowers, Alabama Power's vice president for environmental affairs. "It is truly a community achievement."

Since its beginning just three years ago, Renew Our Rivers has grown to include 14 annual cleanups on the Coosa, Tallapoosa and Black Warrior rivers. It is now the largest cleanup campaign of its kind in the Southeast and one of the largest in the nation.

Last year, Renew Our Rivers received a national award for litter prevention from Keep America Beautiful. The organization described Renew Our Rivers, with its more than 2,200 volunteers from more than 75 organizations, as a model for communities nationwide.

Keep Etowah Beautiful, one of the principal organizations involved in Renew Our Rivers, nominated Alabama Power and Renew Our Rivers for the Alabama Wildlife Federation award. Homeowner and boat owner organizations on Alabama Power reservoirs are also key participants in the Renew Our Rivers cleanups.

This year, in conjunction with Renew Our Rivers, the Alabama Power Foundation is distributing $10,000 in environmental education grants to teachers. The grants will be used to promote recycling and educate students about the importance of protecting Alabama's waterways.

To learn more about Renew Our Rivers and Alabama Power's environmental commitment, visit www.alabamapower.com . For more information about the Alabama Power Foundation, visit www.alabamapowerfoundation.com .

Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company , owns and operates 14 hydroelectric plants in Alabama, providing clean, low- cost electricity. The lakes created by the facilities provide more than 157,000 acres of water and more than 4,000 miles of shoreline for the public's use and enjoyment.

SOURCE: Alabama Power Company