40th_logo.pngPrairie Rivers Network has been working for clean water and healthy communities for 40 years! We will celebrate PRN’s 40th Anniversary at our Annual Dinner on November 9th. If you haven’t had an opportunity to attend our annual dinner, this is the year to do so. The staff and Board are planning an exciting event that will highlight our accomplishments over the past 40 years and the important work we will be undertaking in the future. PRN’s members are the cornerstone of our organization, and we hope you will be able to attend the dinner and share in this exciting time for PRN.

Prairie Rivers Network was established in 1967 by Bruce and Patricia Hannon as the Committee on Allerton Park to oppose the construction of the Oakley Reservoir on the Sangamon River near Monticello, which would have put Allerton Park underwater. This group of concerned and dedicated citizens also fought to stop dams, reservoirs, and other environmentally costly water projects that would have permanently altered the habitats of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.

After their successful efforts, the Committee on Allerton Park was renamed Central States Education Center in 1984 to illustrate their statewide focus on empowering people to preserve our natural resources. Under the leadership of John Marlin, CSEC brought together people that crossed political and social boundaries to support a greater common cause: the protection of our natural waterways. Central States Education Center was changed to Prairie Rivers Network in 1998 to more accurately reflect our focus on issues that impact Illinois’ rivers and watersheds.

Since its inception, PRN has consistently used grass roots organizing and advocacy to protect the rivers and streams of Illinois. From the successful opposition of dams proposed in the 1970′s that would have permanently altered the flow of our rivers, to our current efforts to ensure full enforcement of the Clean Water Act to protect our drinking water and fish and wildlife habitats, PRN works with local citizens to advocate for the protection of our rivers at the federal, state, and local level.

With the support of our members, Prairie Rivers Network has grown to become the statewide leader in river protection, conservation, and restoration. Thank you for being a part of this great conservation tradition in Illinois.