Keeping DuPage River “De-Lovely”
Friday, July 18th, 2008The Conservation Foundation is making more than just waves along the DuPage River waterways, they’re making a difference. An article in the July 18, 2008 edition of Naperville Sun noted that The Conservation Foundation’s River Sweep program has removed a total of 184 tons of debris from the river’s waterways since it began combing the river in 1991. With the help of nearly 8,000 volunteers over the years, clean-up efforts have been made in Bolingbrook, Lisle, Wheaton, Warrenville, Lombard, Plainfield, Addison, Carol Stream, Bloomingdale and Villa Park. In 1995, the River Sweep pulled more than 20 tons of trash out of the river, declining to six tons in 2007 and to four tons in this year’s event. Brook McDonald, presidents and CEO of The Conservation Foundation said, “Our volunteers continue to find some amazing items in DuPage River waterways, but the ongoing decline in the amount of debris removed is great news.”
Conservation efforts with results like this can’t be done alone. According to the article, “The DuPage River Sweep is supported by American Rivers, which donated garbage bags; the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County; and an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency grant.”
