Press Release - Thursday, May 11, 2006
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Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn and local student volunteers collect Sangamon River samples! Lt. Gov. presents grant to keep the RiverWatch program flowing
Springfield - Today, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn, chairman of the Illinois River Coordinating Council, stood on the banks of the Sangamon River and presented a $10,000 grant to the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center to continue the growth of the RiverWatch program in Illinois.
The RiverWatch program utilizes citizen volunteers who observe Illinois waterways and collect samples from rivers and streams. The samples give researchers the ability to determine trends in Illinois' natural resources and to develop strategies to keep our streams healthy.
"We are grateful to the Friends of the Fox River who significantly transformed the RiverWatch program," Quinn said. "The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center is the best place for the program to continue to grow and prosper."
Last year Lt. Governor Quinn's office presented the Friends of the Fox River with a $15,000 grant to revive the RiverWatch program. Now the program is thriving and a new manager will take the reins. A leader in research, education and outreach, the National Great Rivers Center will provide the necessary support and scientific oversight to sustain the RiverWatch program and continue its growth.
Quinn was joined by Bill Kruidenier, associate director of the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, and Elizabeth Burns, a citizen volunteer from Clinton, IL who demonstrated the techniques Illinois citizens use to help keep our rivers healthy. Students from the Ursuline Academy will also help Quinn collect and analyze river samples.
"The efforts of these citizen scientists are invaluable in helping us to assess the health of Illinois streams," Quinn said. "Their fieldwork keeps a steady hand on the pulse of our rivers. They are the eyes and the ears that make us better stewards of the rivers."
As Lt. Governor, Quinn is chairman of the Illinois River Coordinating Council composed of citizens, not-for-profit organizations, state and federal agencies, sportsmen, and river enthusiasts. The Council coordinates policy and funding for river restoration in the sprawling Illinois River watershed, which includes not only the Illinois River, but also its tributaries: Chicago, DesPlaines, DuPage, Fox, Kankakee, La Moine, Mackinaw, Sangamon, Spoon and Vermilion Rivers.
For more information please visit: www.CleanWater.il.gov.
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