Be RiverSmart, Illinois!

Learn what you can do to protect water quality in Illinois streams. Your rivers are closer than you think

We all live in a watershed. A watershed is an area of land that drains into a particular river or stream. So, if you were to go outside and pour your coffee or soda onto the ground, where would it flow? Into a storm sewer? Then where? Regardless of where you live, everything that flows from your yard, garden, or farm ends up in a nearby stream.

The things we do around our homes and businesses every day makes a difference on the quality of our rivers because we all live in a watershed.

To learn more about watersheds, visit River Network's RiverSmart website.

And download Prairie Rivers Network's 19 Be RiverSmart, Illinois! tips on what you can do to reduce your impact on local waters.

Be RiverSmart, Illinois Education Campaign

National and state public opinion surveys indicate that many of you view protecting water quality as a most important issue. In a recent Illinois survey on water quality, protecting water quality received the highest rating over school improvement and preventing crime and 7 other public concerns.

Other opinion polls show that Americans care about water quality, are ready to act, but they don't know where to begin, and they do not realize their activities have a substantial impact. However nearly half of those polled nationally are willing to become familiar with their river and get involved.

The national river conservation organization, River Network, has partnered with corporate and agency sponsors to launch a national public awareness campaign called RiverSmart. In addition to the educational program on the River Network website, they have provided print, radio, and television public service announcements for use by local affiliates. Prairie Rivers Network has adapted these for use across Illinois.

Download print PSAs in PDF format
1. Clean
2. Culprit
3. Gusher
4. Guzzler

Listen to the radio ad here (624K mp3 file)

View the television ad here (14.7MB mpeg file) or (5.9MB mpeg file)

Prairie Rivers will also be developing other education and outreach materials to Be RiverSmart, Illinois! For more information about the program or how to run PSAs, contact our office at 217/344-2371.