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After three decades working with the San Marcos River Foundation, Dianne Wassenich is retiring from the organization.
Wassenich, the SMRF Executive Director, began advocating for better treatment of the river in the early 1980s.
“With an eye on rapidly growing cities in the region and a real threat of aquifer depletion, her early work and efforts resulted in water conservation ordinances not just locally but regionally that afford real protection to the Edwards Aquifer and its watersheds,” the SMRF wrote in a press release. “Dianne has also been instrumental in encouraging citizens to embrace native planting and restoring areas to more natural states.”
Wassenich volunteered with the SMRF for 17 years as clerical staff. She was hired as the organization’s first staff member in 2002.
“Dianne has become the voice of the river, making sure the public and public officials understand how construction, development and even recreation can threaten the health and vitality of the river,” the SMRF wrote. “Dianne has encouraged and sponsored many other informal groups to take on the responsibility of protecting the river through clean-ups, water quality monitoring, and community discussions about how growth should occur to ensure that the river will be in this condition, if not better, for future residents.”
The SMRF Board of Directors is currently searching for a new full-time executive director.
