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The Water’s Edge Gala and Presentation of the 2025 Stroud Award for Freshwater Excellence

September 25, 2025 , 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM EDT

The Water’s Edge gala brings together business leaders in the community, supporters of Stroud Water Research Center, and experts in the world of fresh water. During this event, the Stroud Center recognizes an individual or organization that has made invaluable contributions to the world of fresh water or environmental conservation and presents them with the Stroud Award for Freshwater Excellence.

This year’s award honors Paul O’Callaghan. O’Callaghan is a water scientist, sustainability thought leader, and documentary producer who believes the global water crisis can be solved in his lifetime, and he is on a mission to make it happen.

  • Date and time: Thursday, September 25, 2025.
    • 6:30 p.m. Registration and cocktails.
    • 7:15 p.m. Lecture and award presentation.
    • 8 p.m. Dinner.
  • Location: Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE 19375.

Previous Water’s Edge speakers and SAFE Award winners include luminaries such as Jane Goodall; Olivia Newton-John and John Easterling; American Rivers and its president, Bob Irvin; His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco; Chad Pregracke, Alexandra Cousteau; Paul Greenberg; and Laura Turner Seydel.

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Thanks to Our Sponsors


Lead Sponsors

Blue Yak Foundation

Brown Brothers Harriman logo

Fresh Start Development Company

Moorhead Family Foundation

Runnymede Sanctuary

Key Sponsors

Franny and Franny Abbott

BNY Wealth

Brown Advisory

Phoebe A. Driscoll

Fair Play Foundation

Glatfelter Insurance Group

Hankin Group

Herr Foods

Johnston Family Charitable Trust

Mr. and Mrs. Richard I.G. Jones, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Moran

W.A. Speakman Family Foundation

Morris and Boo Stroud

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Stroud

Mr. and Mrs. D. Scott Wisman

Headshot of Paul O'Callaghan

The 2025 Stroud Award for Freshwater Excellence Recipient: Paul O’Callaghan

Visionary Leader in Water Innovation and Sustainability

Paul O’Callaghan is the founder and CEO of BlueTech Research, the leading global intelligence firm dedicated to water technology and innovation. With over 25 years of experience in the sector, he is internationally recognized as an expert in water technologies and markets, helping shape the future of water globally. Learn more about O’Callaghan.