Below The Surface A COAST TO COAST EXPLORATION OF AMERICA’S WATERWAYS
BTS NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2009
www.belowthesurface.org
Alaskan Coastal Expedition to Equip Individuals With Tools to Ensure a Healthy Pacific Coastline Spring To Sandtrap Expedition (Mt. Shasta to SF Bay, Sept. 22-Oct. 10, 2009) Visions of a Sustainable Mississippi River conference 90 Day Plan “90 Ways in 90 Days” reaches its 75th day.
M i s si s si p p i R ive r P r og r e ss
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more complete understanding of water quality in the Mississippi River is imperative, current educational initiatives must be bolsters, interstate cooperation must be increased, and a charismatic leader is needed to improve the overall health of the Mississippi River. This consensus further demonstrates the accuracy of Below the Surface’s course and commitment to the Kristian Gustavson attended the Visions Mississippi River. It also illustrates that the scale and scope of solutions must match of a Sustainable Mississippi River conference in Collinsville, IL. The confer- the River’s ecological, economic, and culural significance. ence was organized by the National Great Rivers Research and Education Kristian will be on the road in the coming Center, The Nature Conservancy, Lewis weeks to meet with various universities, and Clark College, Illinois Natural His- non-profits, and state & federal agencies tory Survey, and the University of Illialong the Mississippi River to coordinate nois—many of the River’s key stakeBelow the Surface’s water quality analysis holders were also represented. of the entire Mississippi set to launch According to many participants, this was spring of 2010. It is vital that we work toone of the most comprehensive and for- gether to clean-up America’s greatest river ward-thinking conferences... on the Mis- system; anyone currently participating in sissippi River to-date. Alexandra Cous- water monitoring on the Mississippi River and its tributaries is welcome to contact: teau was the keynote speaker and the conference concluded with a policy fo- kristian@belowthesurface.org to discuss ways of getting on-board with this truly rum moderated by Congressman Jerry monumental campaign on the Mighty MisCostello. The consensus of the recent conference consisted of the following: A sissippi.
We are entering into the final 1/3 of The 90-Day Plan: 90 Ways in 90 Days to Clean & Conserve Water. It has been quite the journey since we launched the Plan from Shedd Aquarium in Chicago on June 22nd. The 90-Day Plan has shared ways to reduce our impact on the water through simple daily action items and consumer responsibility.
Below the Surface received a grant from American Water and pictured to the left is Kristian Gustavson with Cheryl Norton-VP of Operations for IL American Water, and Marc Miller Director of Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The grant will be used to spread water awareness. To unsubscribe to this email click here.
The curriculum was recently given a boost from Illinois American Water’s Environmental Grant Program. Below the Surface received generous support on July 20th at the Alton, IL plant on the banks of the Mississippi River. Marc Miller, Director of Illinois Department of Natural Resources spoke and showed his support for the program which leads up to the State’s It’s Our River Day Celebration on September 19th. You can continue to follow The 90-Day Plan by visiting www.belowthesurface.org/90da yplan.php