ILLINOIS ADOPT-A-STREAM PROGRAM
(Illinois Smallmouth Alliance)
Adopt A Stream Today!
The Illinois Smallmouth Alliance has put together a program whereby various usergroups will be empowered to make a difference in a watershed of their choosing state-wide.
This program provides families, local business owners, civic groups, neighborhood organizations, youth groups, churches, and academic institutions the opportunity to become involved in an environmental program that helps to protect our natural resources. The objectives of this program are to increase community involvement and awareness of water resources, develop watershed-based environmental education, increase reporting of water quality problems, and to improve water quality and stream habitat.
As there are isolated cases of this in effect on scattered rivers and streams, this is the first to encompass the entire state of Illinois.
By committing to the program, your group or organization agrees to collect litter and conduct water quality monitoring along your adopted stream once a year for at least two years.
In return for your willingness to become a steward of our waterways, the ISA will provide a sign with your groups' name upon completion of your first event, to be installed on your adopted stretch of river or stream.
To facilitate the means for you to participate, we will provide you with the following materials:
- Water Quality Monitoring Kits
- Event Notification and Reporting Forms
- Official Adopt-a-Stream sign bearing the name of your group
- Recognition on the Adopt-a-Stream website
- Educational literature
- Technical assistance by request
- Liability Release Form
- Safety and Health Checklist
Program Requirements:
- One stream cleanup each year for two years.
- One Water Quality Monitoring event each year for two years.
- Photo Monitoring: Submit photographs of your stream segment
- Completed Event Notification Form preceding each cleanup.
- Completed Reporting Form following each cleanup.
Suggested Activities: The following additional items are suggested, but are not necessary to participate in the Adopt-a-Stream program.
- Drain Stenciling - labeling of storm water inlets with "Don't Dump" stickers and distribution of corresponding educational material about storm water runoff.
- Stream Renovations: stream bank plantings, erosion control
- Invite speakers on environmental issues
- Stream walks, bird watching, wildlife observations, camping
- Workshops and classroom activities
If you feel your group or organization would benefit from
the options and flexibility this program offers, please visit
the following website for more information, or call Mike
Clifford 773-771-9042.
Individuals are encouraged to call or write their local communities
and organizations to suggest participation and to help spread
the word!
http://illinoissmallmouthalliance.net/html/adoptastream.html
