Project Aware
State Hwy 77 & 285th St
Richland, IA
Map to Event
July 7, 2024 to July 12, 2024
A project that started back in 2003 with only 83 volunteers has grown into a family of over 6,223
river enthusiast volunteers that has visited over 53 counties across Iowa, paddled 1,429 river
miles, and, most astonishing of all, removed over 977,394 pounds of trash. This year, volunteers
and organizers aim to surpass 1 million pounds of trash removed from Iowa rivers. As part of
Iowa Project AWARE’s mission to improve and protect the environment and natural resources,
organizers limit contributions to landfills by recycling 81% of all river finds, including 228 tons
of scrap metal and nearly 7,000 tires.
Volunteers will embark by canoe on the Skunk River in Richland and make their way southeast
to Burlington over the course of five days. Volunteers will load their canoes with trash by day
and tent camp and participate in educational programs by night. Speakers from around the state
are coming to present on the unique features of the Iowa River, covering topics such as birding
programs with renowned birder Kelly McKay, river and lake management with Claire Hruby
(Drake University), insights into the Iowa Mussel Blitz with Scott Gritters (Iowa DNR), and the
history of the Ho-Chunk Tribe presented by Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Bill
Quakenbush, who will also showcase his traditional dug-out canoe!
For the first half of the week, July 7-10, AWARE volunteers will camp at the beautiful Lake
Darling State Park in Brighton, Iowa. This is a fitting destination for a watershed conservation
event! Nick Young, Park Manager of Lake Darling State Park, is excited to debut the newly
constructed Jay Ding Darling additions to their interpretive trail, which will be finished just
before July.
“We would just like to say that Lake Darling is proud to host Iowa Project AWARE for 2024
efforts to clean up the Skunk River and grateful for all the hard work they've done in the past.
We're glad to help make this year's project a reality by giving staff and the many amazing
volunteers a place to stay while they work hard to make Iowa a better place”. Said Lake
Darling’s very own Nick Young.
As volunteers paddle their way down to Mount Pleasant from July 11-12, campers will stay on
the outskirts of the city at Oakland Mills Water Works Area. Caleb Waters, Executive Director of
Henry County Conservation, stated, “The Henry County Conservation Department would like to
express our support for Project AWARE as they continue to improve Iowa's water quality
through annual river cleanups. When the canoes pass through, there is an immediate and visible
difference as tires, bottles, and other debris are removed. The group also encourages long-term
change by emphasizing stewardship of public lands and a deeper understanding of a river's flora
and fauna.”
Slots are still open if you are interested in joining the cleanup efforts. Registration can be found
on our website. Busy during the day and still want to be a part of the fun? No problem! Evening
educational programs at the campgrounds are free and open to the public, with no registration
required. Please note when registering that Thursday and Friday have the most availability,
and Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday are full!
No matter your degree of participation in AWARE – an evening program, one day on the river, or
the whole week of cleanup – you will be sure to walk away with a renewed sense of adventure,
love for Iowa waterways, and hundreds of new river-loving family members!
Iowa Project AWARE is coordinated by N-Compass, Inc. For more information on this event,
including the daily schedule of events and evening educational programs, please visit
www.iowaprojectaware.org.
During Iowa Project AWARE, volunteers have fun and get a little muddy as they explore an Iowa river, remove trash, and learn more about watersheds, geology, archaeology, recycling, and other natural resource topics.
The expedition not only showcases a part of Iowa, but it also offers opportunities for residents and visitors alike to connect with the river and enrich their sense of place.
Discover what to expect during a typical day of Iowa Project AWARE.
How Do I Get Involved?
Volunteers can officially join the event by paddling the river, but there are opportunities for others to experience Project AWARE as well. Educational programs are held each evening and are open to the public. These programs highlight local natural resources, history, and archaeology that make Iowa unique.
Registration is not required for the general public to attend evening programs, but it is required for those who wish to volunteer for the river cleanup itself. Tent camping is included with registration and a limited number of canoes are available.
For More Information
info@projectaware.org
Website
Posted by: Conservation
