Thank you, Dr. Rich Brown! 

After 13 years of volunteer service to the Hillsborough River Board Technical Advisory Council (TAC), many as the Chair, Dr. Richard Brown is moving on.  Dr. Brown is one of the original citizens who saw the stagnation of the lower river in past decades and decided something had to be done. But he did not just talk about it; he acted. Dr. Brown spent countless hours of his personal time participating in the River Board’s TAC and the Friends of the Hillsborough River group. With help from the Friends of the Hillsborough River, he and other residents were able to reverse the lower river’s stagnation and lack of freshwater flow from the City of Tampa’s dam with the establishment of a minimum flow rule.   

On October 23, the River Board presented Dr. Brown with a “paddle trophy” award recognizing his long-term years of volunteer service. The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) also recognized his extensive service as their appointee with a plaque and letter from BOCC Chair Ken Hagen. Dr. Brown leaves a great legacy of success ensuring the Hillsborough River is a vibrant and healthy system for people and wildlife. Although he steps down from the River Board TAC, we are sure he will still be involved in the protection and conservation of the River into the future. 

Paddle on, Dr. Brown!