Announced today (17 March) by the Australian Environment and Planning Law Group of the Law Council of Australia (LCA), Waters received the award for her significant contribution to public interest environmental law in the fields of community legal education, law reform, legal work and case work.

She was also recognised for her numerous presentations to community groups interested in urban and regional environmental protection.

"Her legal analysis of reform proposals made a major contribution to the conservation debate on landmark Queensland vegetation protection legislation in 2004," said LCA president Alexander Ward.

"She is also a skilled litigator and has worked as a solicitor on a number of highly significant environmental cases, including the Nathan Dam and Flying Fox cases."

The award is given to a young practising barrister, solicitor or university employee who has made a significant contribution to environmental law.

Waters graduated fro Queensland's Griffith University in 2001 and worked at the Environmental Defender's Office of Queensland after a brief stint in a commercial practice.

Waters was recently voted into the Senate as the first ever Greens candidate for Queensland and will start her new position on 1 July.