Clean River Advisory Council

Wondering how to care for your newly-planted saplings during the winter? Richard Jauron from the @Iowa State University Yard and Garden put out a short guide to help you protect your new trees in the harsh cold. Reccomendations include consistent tree watering beofre the soil freezes, and protecting saplings from rabbit damage. Whether you purchased a tree from the Bi-CAN tree sale or raised a sapling yourself, the article, linked below, can help you safeguard the growth of your new trees! https://lnkd.in/gGBtjwsA

The Clean River Advisory Council created an 8-part vision for the future of the Mississippi River. The final priority outlined in the document regards funding for green initiatives and nature-based solutions. We envision a policy enviornment where available federal funding is leveraged by local governments to promote river equity and green practices. In partnership with the Walton Family Foundation and the Quad Cities Community Foundation, the C-RAC is able to directly contribute to a well-funded conservation enviornment through our grants subcommittee. Read more about the Mississippi River Equity vision at the link below. https://lnkd.in/gyr4pqua

When discussing a vision for a more equitable Mississippi River, we must appreciate and acknowledge the land of the indigenous peoples of the Mississippi River watershed. An interactive map created by Native Land Digital does an amazing job at illustrating the historical inhabitance of land in the United States by indigenous tribes and nations. In the Quad Cities, we stand on the land of the Peoria, Myaamia, oθaakiiwaki?hina?ki (Sauk) & Me?kwahki·a?a·hina (Fox), O?héthi ?akówi?, Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo) peoples, and to create an equitable community, we must respect and value the practices and inhabitance of the native peoples who were violently removed from their original land. Check out the map and research these groups at the link below. https://native-land.ca

Erased indigenous practices have proven invaluable in balancing consumption with conservation. The C-RAC envisions a Mississippi River where indigenous practices are not only respected, but promoted and valued at the same level as Western, scientific practices of conservation. Read more about how to achieve this balance at the link below. https://lnkd.in/gyr4pqua

The Great Plains Action Society is preparing to end their River Rights Caravan at their final stop at the Putnam Museum and Science Center in Davenport on November 17th from 1-4pm. The C-RAC is proud to highlight a movement so closely aligned with our goals. Join other people of color living along riverfronts and share your perspecitve living along such an essential culutral amenity, one that has a long history with indigenous and BIPOC culture, but also with colonialization and racism. Check the link below for more details. https://lnkd.in/gArpMfMU

Thousands of communities inhabit the Mississippi River Basin, relying on the riverfront for wellness, spirituality, and recreation. Creating a clean riverfront that is safe for all types of uses is absolutely vital to protecting the various communities and cultures calling the river home. The C-RAC envisions a riverfront that supports indigenous storytelling, wellness activities, and more. Learn more about how we aim to create a Mississippi that serves all at the link below/in our bio. https://lnkd.in/gyr4pqua

The C-RAC is gearing up to publish our first Winter Newsletter! This Summer, we created a newsletter that summarized the work we did for the first six months of the year. We're excited to share out the wonderful work and collaborations we've taken part in this year! Check the link below to sign up for our email service and receive the Winter Newsletter as soon as it's available! You can also catch up on the work we've done with our Summer Newsletter at the same link. https://lnkd.in/gYWP7rqA

Our riverfront supports more than just our community members. Thousands of plants and animal species depend on a healthy river and clean water to thrive in our unique ecosystem. In our Mississippi River Equity Vision, we prioritize creating a river celebrated for its water quality and biodiversity. Nature-based initiatives, like water quality monitoring and native planting, can support our goal. Learn more about our Mississippi River Equity Vision at the link below. https://lnkd.in/gyr4pqua

Election day in the United States is highly-anticipated and crucial in determining the future of our government. The C-RAC urges all eligible voters to research their full ballot and elect representitives at the federal, state, and local levels that promote our goals of an equitable, sustainable Mississippi River. In the Quad Cities, both Iowa and Illinois offer same-day voter registration, and polling locations will close tonight at 7pm in Illinois and 8pm in Iowa. Check the link below/in our bio for?Vote.org's comprehensive voting guide, and get your voice heard! https://lnkd.in/eBxHD6nA

The Mississippi River and our riverfront in the Quad Cities tells a storied history of many cultures. Amplifying the voices of historically-suppressed people living along the river encompasses a number of the C-RACs Mississippi River Equity Vision priorities, but centering culutral storytelling and the contributions of BIPOC river communities is essential in creating an equitable riverfront. Read more about MREV priority #2, centering the river as a cultural amenity, at the link below. https://lnkd.in/gyr4pqua