The Vern Haverstick Groundwater Hero Award -- created to showcase ground water protection activities by the unsung, yet heroic, efforts of community residents. The goals of this award are to thank the individual for ground water service, spread the word about ground water and inspire ground water leadership in others.

The Edith Stevens Groundwater Educator Award -- established to recognize ground water educators who understand the importance of ground water, motivate others to protect ground water and lead by personal example. The goals of this award are to spread the word about ground water, inspire others to become involved in ground water education, provide educators with successful role models and promote education as an effective ground water protection method.

The E. Benjamin Nelson Government Service Award -- established in order to recognize and honor an elected or appointed public official who has significantly advanced environmental and ground water stewardship. The goals of the award are to inspire similar service in other government officials and spread the word nationally about the value of ground water as a natural resource.

Award recipients will receive complimentary travel, lodging and registration for the Groundwater Foundation's annual conference Nov. 18-20, 2002, in Eugene, Ore. The award recipients also will be honored at an awards luncheon held in conjunction with the conference.

The Groundwater Foundation also is pleased to announce that the 2002 National Awards are sponsored in part by the Chevron Corp. To receive information on each of the awards and nomination instructions, please contact the Foundation Awards Coordinator at 800-858-4844 or via e-mail at info@groundwater.org. All nominations must be received by July 14 to be considered for the 2002 award.