Category: Outreach And Engagement

Healthy Communities, our Water and Watersheds

5/2/2024

LWV Wheaton, in cooperation with SCARCE, sponsored a panel discussion on water and watersheds on April 24. This talk featured LWV UMRR's Gretchen Sabel, Sarah Hunn of the DuPage County Stormwater Division , Eric Neidy of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, and Kay McKeen of SCARE. LWV UMRR was among the organizations that had display materials available and was on hand to talk with the attendees. The video of this event is posted to the right.

In this video, our speakers talked about watershed restoration and how natural infrastructure is so much more effective at flood control than constructed dams, impoundments and hardscapes. An interesting Q&A followed, moderated by Jenny Whidden, Climate and Environment reporter from the Daily Herald and brief remarks by Illinois State Senator Laura Ellman, author of recent legislation to protect Illinois wetlands left unregulated by the Sackett decision. Each speaker started out by discussing their journey to becoming a water resource professional and the watersheds they are tied to.

The organizations represented in this event, and the people who represented them:
LWV UMRR - Gretchen Sabel, Communications Director
DuPage County Stormwater Division - Sarah Hunn, Director, DuPage County Stormwater Management
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Eric Neidy, Director of Natural Resources
SCARCE - Kay McKeen, Founder and President

Above: Sarah Hunn, Kay McKeen and Eric Neidy

Clean Water Forever Campaign - Prairie Rivers Network

2/23/2024

ILLINOIS, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!

Of the streams that Illinois EPA has assessed for water quality conditions from 2020–2022:

40% are too polluted to support aquatic life
62% are too polluted to support indigenous aquatic life
85% are too polluted to support swimming or direct human contact
100%. Yes, 100% are too polluted to support fish consumption

This is a startling headline, and a grim situation. The Prairie River Network is aiming to reduce this pollution through their new Clean Water Forever campaign.

In the video to the right, Robert Hirschfeld, Director of Water Policy for the Prairie Rivers Network describes the work that the PRN has begun with their Clean Water Forever campaign. LWV UMRR Chair, Mary Ellen Miller, moderates the session and leads a good discussion after the presentation.

This campaign that aims to change the way Illinois thinks about and cares for its water. Starting in southern Illinois and working their way north, PRN will support downstream communities by listening to their concerns and helping to identify and implement locally-informed solutions and financial resources. Through these efforts, PRN will support communities as they build climate resiliency and advance their vision for the future. Clean Water Forever starts with telling the truth about the water quality crisis in the Midwest and ends with finding long-term solutions to protect Illinois communities.

Click here to watch the webinar on YouTube!

Robert Hirschfeld is the Director of Water Policy for the Prairie Rivers Network. The Prairie Rivers Network is based in Champaign, Illinois.

Bio details: ROBERT HIRSCHFELD, DIRECTOR OF WATER POLICY

Robert leads PRN's efforts to ensure water quality, water quantity, water access, and water equity for all of Illinois. He advocates and speaks for clean water, river protection, biological integrity, wildlife conservation, and climate mitigation and adaptation. Through collaboration with local, regional, state and national partners, he pursues policies, programs, and strategies that will ensure the long-term health and beauty of

Illinois’ communities, rivers, and habitat. He also works on many of PRN’s communications and social media campaigns, and he produces videos and podcasts.

Background: Robert joined PRN in March 2011. Before joining the professional staff, Robert was a legal intern for PRN, working on Clean Water Act compliance and enforcement. Robert sometimes dabbles in music.
Education: B.A. in religion and Asian studies from the University of Puget Sound and a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law

About the Prairie Rivers Network:
The Prairie Rivers Network works to protect water, heal land and inspire change, using the creative power of science, law, and collective action. Prairie Rivers Network is the independent, state affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation.

You can read the PRN 2020-2024 Strategic Plan for more information on their mission and vision for Illinois’ rivers and streams. Here are links to information about PRN's organization:
MISSION & HISTORY
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
STAFF

UMRR blog

Healthy Communities, our Water and Watersheds

Clean Water Forever Campaign - Prairie Rivers Network

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