Salmonid Restoration Federation

Gordon Becker Memorial River Advocate Award

Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in. I drink at it; but while I drink I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is. Its thin current slides away, but eternity remains.

-Henry David Thoreau

The restoration community mourns the loss of our colleague and friend, Gordon Becker. He was a tireless and effective advocate for healthy rivers and fisheries, and an inspiration to all of us. Gordon also served as OCE’s expert witness in our campaign to remove or modify Stanford University’s 125-year old Searsville Dam and Stanford’s water diversions that harm threatened steelhead trout in San Francisquito Creek. His deep knowledge and enthusiasm for restoring the San Francisquito Creek watershed’s native steelhead population helped to propel our efforts forward. Gordon shared his expertise freely, as well as his hopes and dreams for a better future for western rivers and watershed management. Please see this beautiful tribute to Gordon Becker.

The Gordon Becker Memorial River Advocate Award is for candidates who have been strong river advocates or stewards.