Prof. Silke Wieprecht from the University of Stuttgart has been awarded the Bavarian State Medal for outstanding services to the environment. She received the award for her exceptional commitment to the preservation of water as the basis of life. This State Medal is the highest honor awarded by the Free State of Bavaria in this area.

Bavaria's Minister of the Environment, Thorsten Glauber, emphasized at the presentation of the State Medal: "The protection of our environment is a prerequisite for a future worth living. The preservation of our livelihoods is one of our most important tasks. We are setting the course and creating the conditions for this with our climate protection offensive, the Water Future Bavaria 2050 strategy. In the same way, we need the commitment of people who take responsibility. This is the only way to create the future. With the Environmental Medal, we honor personalities who have rendered outstanding services to Bavaria's environment, nature and climate for many years. Their commitment is an exemplary example of sustainable action and a persistent willingness to take responsibility."

Silke Wieprecht contributes her extensive expertise in hydraulic engineering and hydrology to her work in teaching and research as well as to numerous specialist committees and organizations. She is also committed to promoting young scientists. In his laudatory speech, Thorsten Glauber, Bavarian State Minister of the Environment, particularly emphasized her work in an expert commission of the state government, in which she played a key role in developing proposals for a secure water management in Bavaria.

Congratulations to Silke for this great recognition of her extraordinary career and outstanding dedication!

About the winner

Prof. Silke Wieprecht is an internationally recognized and renowned scientist, head of the Department of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management at the University of Stuttgart. She is particularly known for her contributions, expertise, and accomplishments on morphodynamic processes in rivers, sediment management in river basins, river engineering, and hydraulic engineering.

Silke Wieprecht was member of the European Division (2012 to 2016) as well as member of the IAHR Council (2103-2017). She is involved in the Committee on Education and Professional Development (EPD) and was Chair of the Young Professional Committee from 2013 to 2021. She served on the IAHR Executive Council as Vice President (2017-2021). During this time, she launched the Task Force on Gender Equality and Diversity. She was promoted to IAHR Fellow in 2023.