PRN Masthead

Welcome to Prairie Rivers Network's e-Newz. We're excited to keep communities informed about volunteer opportunities, clean water issues, and river conservation news within our state.

- April/May 2008-

1. American Wetlands Month

2. Time to Act on Stream Names

3. Become a Member of Prairie Rivers Network

American Wetlands Month

April showers are over and what better way to enjoy the May flowers than by visiting your local wetlands. May is American Wetlands Month and all around the country people are celebrating the beauty and importance of wetlands. A great way to take part in this event is to explore one of the many wetlands throughout Illinois. Want to find a wetland near you? Visit http://www.fws.gov/refuges/.

This month is also a great time to add to your wetland knowledge. Impress your friends with your wetland trivia. For example, did you know that the four general categories of wetlands are marshes, bogs, swamps and fens? If healthy, bottomland hardwood swamps such as the ones along the Cache River in southern Illinois can support Bald Cypress trees; some of these trees live for 2,000 years. Check out books and videos on wetlands from your neighborhood library. In a hurry? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has several wetland fact sheets on their website at http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/facts/contents.html.

Wetlands play an important role in our society. They naturally cleanse contaminates such as nitrates, ammonium, phosphorus, and sediment. They reduce flooding and serve as habitat for a myriad of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. Sustainably-managed wetlands also contribute to local economies. Both commercial and recreational fishermen rely on them. Crops such as wild rice and other plants used for medicinal purposes can be grown part of the year in wetlands. They support low or no-impact recreational activities like birdwatching, hiking and nature photography.

Take action to conserve wetlands - they need your help! Each year wetlands are threatened by urban and rural development. According to the EPA, since the late 1700s the United States lost an estimated 100 million acres of wetlands. Illinois has lost ninety percent of its wetlands since settlement began; farmers and other settlers drained much of the then existing wetlands to convert land for agricultural, commercial and residential purposes. In addition to past and current rapid land development, wetland loss and ecosystem degradation is expected to continue as a result of future climate change impacts on weather events such as frequency and amount of precipitation.

You can make a difference in ensuring the current and future integrity of our state's wetlands. Voice your concerns to your elected officials. Tell your local zoning authority and county board to support ordinances that protect wetlands and limit development near them. Even the simple act of creating buffer areas around wetlands keeps them protected from contamination and fragmentation. Ask your state officials to preserve and purchase openland areas that help support wetland habitat. In the U.S. Congress, both House and Senate versions of the Clean Water Restoration Act are in committee; it is important to continue to remind your representatives and senators that passing the Act will give wetlands needed protection.

Volunteer to restore a wetland in your area. State and County parks and forest preserves are more commonly including wetlands within their restoration projects. Community groups all over the state are organizing restoration trips. If you can’t find one in your area, organize your own trip. If you need ideas on how to get started, contact Cecily Smith at csmith@prairierivers.org or 217.344.2371.

Time to Act on Stream Names

The U.S. Board on Geographic Names has asked the Champaign County Board to comment on a proposal to resolve decades of confusion and conflicts by assigning official names to two Champaign County streams. Now is the time to let county board members know how you feel.

Since European immigrants began settling in East Central Illinois, two of the area's streams near Champaign-Urbana have undergone a number of name changes. Depending on maps or written materials, the Upper Salt Fork River is identified as Upper Salt Fork, Salt Fork, Salt Fork of the Vermilion River, Spoon River, Upper Salt Fork Ditch, and Upper Salt Fork Drainage Ditch. Similarly, the “Saline Ditch”, which is another tributary of the Salt Fork River, has been known as Branch of Salt Fork, West Branch, Salt Creek, Saline Branch Drainage Ditch and Saline Branch Salt Fork.

The Illinois Geographical Names Authority has endorsed a proposal to rename the Upper Salt Fork Drainage Ditch as Upper Salt Fork, and the Saline Branch Drainage Ditch as West Salt Fork. The Urbana City Council unanimously approved a resolution supporting the name change.

Factors supporting the request for names changes include the need for consistency in identifying these water resources, maintaining historical accuracy in the stream names, and supporting names that recognize the multiple functions of these streams (which include fishing, boating, wildlife habitat, protection of water quality and agricultural drainage). Calling them ditches invites people to treat them like ditches.

To read a splendid editorial by someone who lives along the stream click here

For a summary of points raised by both proponents and opponents of the name change click here

To view more detailed information submitted in support of the name change click here

For information on how to make your voice heard, contact Clark Bullard at bullard@prairienet.org

Become a Member

Not already a member of Prairie Rivers Network or need to renew your membership? Donate online to PRN online and help us protect water quality and river habitats to make our community a better place to live.

Join our Watershed Listserv or visit our Events Calendar for more river related activities in Illinois.

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