Overview

Martin J.  Firth was one of the first members of the Virginia Lakes and Watersheds Association and served as treasurer for more than twenty-one years. Throughout his tenure, Martin was vital to the growth and prosperity of the VLWA and by 2001, the Association became solvent enough to start supporting educational programs.

Martin J. Firth, VLWA Treasurer, 1997 – 2016

As of 2018, the VLWA had awarded sixty-five college/graduate scholarships for a total amount of $130,800.  In addition, VLWA has provided more than $16,000 in regional science fair awards, and several thousand dollars of support to various environmental non-profits that promote the VLWA mission.  When Martin retired at the end of 2016, the VLWA issued him a resolution of appreciation at the 2017 Annual meeting.  Martin lost his brave fight with cancer on January 31, 2019.

At the annual conference in March of 2019, the VLWA was proud to announce the inception of the Martin J. Firth – Lake Management Award.  The annual award will be chosen from conference abstract submittals and presented to the project that best exemplifies sound lake management practices – resulting in improvements to water quality or navigation, storage capacity and overall aesthetics.  

Committee Members

  • Rebecca Francese, Chair
  • Rebecca Stewart
  • James Kelly

Award Recipients

Samantha Duthe, Fairfax County Watershed Assessment Branch, accepting the 2020 Martin Firth Lake Management Award. Pictured from left to right, Dayton Black – Lake Services, Samantha Duthe, Cathy Hudson – Lake Services and Anne Firth.

2020 Award Winner

Hallow Stormwater Lakes in Fairfax County, VA

Samantha Duthe, Fairfax County Watershed Assessment Branch; Jonathan Witt, Fairfax County Watershed Assessment Branch; Christopher Ruck, Fairfax County Watershed Assessment Branch; Joseph Sanchirico, Fairfax County Watershed Assessment Branch

2020 Honorable Mention

The Nuances of Implementing an Effective Floatable Waste Reduction Program

Benjamin A. Lawson, Kimley-Horn; Uday Khambhammettu, PE, Kimley-Horn

Do you have questions about this committee or want to get involved?

Contact Us