PRN Annual Dinner Recap

Members Libby Johnston and Bill and Glennie Hamel visit with PRN founder Bruce Hannon

We all hear what the river says, and what it says leads us to commit ourselves to protect its waters, fish, and plants, for now and for the future. Carolyn Raffensperger, Executive Director of the Science and Environmental Health Network, delivered this compelling message to over 200 guests during her keynote address at Prairie Rivers Network’s twelfth Annual Dinner on November 6th.

Early in the evening, Executive Director Glynnis Collins presented a list of new PRN initiatives that will result in cleaner water, engaged river stewards and diverse stream ecosystems. PRN will be:

1. advocating for and ensuring stringent water protection from pollution caused by all phases of coal mining operations, including coal waste disposal;
2. developing, in partnership with the Illinois Natural History Survey, a traveling science exhibit and curricula for adult River Discovery courses that will engage thousands of students, parents and community members throughout Illinois; and
3. taking initial steps to achieve needed reforms to protect in-stream flows for fish and other river-dependent wildlife.

PRN raised over $40,000 at this year’s dinner. Thanks to all our guests for joining and supporting our efforts to keep Illinois waters clean and our rivers healthy.

A big thank you goes to PRN member Bruce Semans; through his generosity increased donations from current PRN members or donations from new members at the dinner were matched dollar-for-dollar. If you were not able to attend the dinner, Bruce’s challenge match will continue and apply to all increased and new member donations PRN receives through December 31, 2009. Thank you Bruce!

We also raised over $1,500 from our raffle; prize winners took home a kayak, painted rain barrel, rain garden consultation with our own Stacy James, and prairie planting consultation with prairie restoration expert Jamie Ellis. Thank you also to Robin Kearton and Tom Faux of the Flexible Flyers for their engaging music during our reception hour.

You can view more pictures from the dinner here and view our community partners’ who sponsored the dinner here.