By Megan Carter

Close to 1,000 people came to hear Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger extol the virtues of Ali Sahabi, Jane Block and Supervisor Marion Ashley at the Inland Empire WATERKEEPER Awards last week, held at Raincross Convention Center. John Chiang, California State Controller, weighed in on the honors.

The theme "Building Bridges to a Sustainable Future" fit the three honorees as did the décor, using naturals for table decorations and wheat grass down the center of the head table. White chair covers with green sheer ties completed the look of elegance.

Governor Schwarzenegger said in honoring them, "In Building Bridges to a Sustainable Future all must work together to protect our environment and make our economy grow." He spoke personally of each person, "Celebrating local heroes" and  calling Ashley a "water conservation genius with vast experience." He said that Jane Block is a 30 year conservationist and consensus builder. He called Ali Sahabi a visionary, proven to succeed and save the economy.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today delivered the keynote speech at an awards dinner honoring outstanding environmental leadership, hosted by the Orange County Coastkeepers and Inland Empire Water Keeper.

Block was awarded the Land Protection Award. She is on the board of the Riverside Land Conservancy. She is known as a dedicated leader and voice for the protection and enhancement of natural resources.

The WATERKEEPER Award presented to Ashley, 5th District Board of Supervisors, Riverside County was given for his exemplary leadership in water quality and environmental stewardship of watershed issues affecting the Inland Empire.

The Chairman's Visionary Award was presented to Sahabi, CEO, SE Corporation for his unparalleled vision in the principles of sustainability, demonstrated through Dos Lagos, mixed use community, GIVE and the Green Valley Initiative.

The WATERKEEPER in the Inland Empire is a non-profit water quality organization dedicated to enhancing and protecting all waterways within the 2,600 square mile upper Santa Ana River watershed. It is a chapter of the Orange County Coastkeeper, which oversees that county's portion of watershed.

The goal of the organization is to create balance between the developers and environmental concerns. Its Executive Director is Gary Brown.

John Bryson, Chairman/CEO Edison International, announced a $250,000 grant to the conservancy to protect the San Tetmetao Canyon trail.