RiverWatch
We
envision a collaborative river-monitoring network of citizens,
organizations, agencies, private interests and governments working
together to ensure the health and beauty of Illinois streams and
watersheds.
In the spring of 2006, the National
Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) became the
official administrator of the Illinois RiverWatch Program. A generous
grant from the Office of Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn and the
Illinois River Coordinating Council made it possible to continue to
sustain this incredibly valuable program.
The Center is grateful to have the
opportunity to manage the statewide stream monitoring effort.
RiverWatch certified volunteers, or Citizen Scientists, play an
important role in helping identify potentially degraded waters and
areas that may need better protection. Data collected by volunteer
monitors will enable scientists to determine trends in water quality
and to better plan and tend to the future of Illinois’ watersheds and
streams.
I commend the former RiverWatch staff
at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for establishing such
a successful program and Friends of the Fox River for administering
the program from 2004-2006. A special thanks to the Citizen Scientists
who stayed committed to RiverWatch during the two-year transitioning
period and continued monitoring their sites.
I look forward to another successful
season and hope you will join us in keeping a watchful eye on
Illinois’ streams!
Vera Bojic,
Illinois RiverWatch Program Coordinator
The National Great Rivers Research & Education Center
