One gorgeous ride. One fantastic day.
Double the Impact of Your Donation:
Please help us raise additional funds through a challenge grant by saying you "heard about it" from one of our groups when you register.
Partners for a Better Environment
Please take a moment to learn about our charities and consider fundraising on behalf of one of them. This will help them earn matching funds from a challenge grant. A little healthy competition among groups - all for a good cause.
Our ride benefits three main charities:
Why these charities?
Experience-Each group has more than 30 years of experience in Illinois
Scope-Each group works throughout the state
Effectiveness-Recognized as leaders in their fields. Efficiently run, professionally staffed organizations.
Mission--Collectively their missions address the key environmental concerns in Illinois today including global warming, air and water quality, water supply, protecting the parks, rivers and other natural spaces we all enjoy, and developing policies for healthier food production and more economically sustainable food markets.
Thank you for being involved-we hope to see you at the event! Call us if you have any questions, or are interested in sponsoring this event or signing up to volunteer. We couldn't do it without all of YOU!
Prairie Rivers Network
Your donation to Prairie Rivers Network supports our efforts to protect Illinois rivers for people, fish and wildlife:
Working for cleaner water in our rivers and streams to protect people, fish and wildlife from harmful effects of pollutants in water
- We push government agencies to fully enforce existing laws like the Clean Water Act.
- We work to promote laws and regulations needed to address pollution issues beyond the scope of existing laws.
Protecting river, riverbank and wetland habitats for healthy rivers, flood protection and outdoor activities
- We are working to reform the standard practices of dredging and denuding the banks of small stream in agricultural areas.
- We work to help public and local groups to acquire riverbank property for conservation management, public land and habitat restoration.
- We are pressing for rational laws in Illinois for water supply planning and use
Promoting river stewardship and awareness to help individuals and community groups to become effective conservation leaders
- We provide training and hands-on assistance in organizing to groups wanting to become active stewards of local rivers.
- We work to educate public officials on the importance of clean water, and how they can support it.
Prairie Rivers Network strives to protect the rivers and streams of Illinois and to promote the lasting health and beauty of watershed communities.
Additional information at http://www.prairierivers.org
Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund
The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) serves as the eyes, ears and voice of the environmental community in Springfield and represents dozens of groups in its lobbying and organizing efforts. Through the Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund, the IEC also analyzes news from state government and acts as an informational clearinghouse for Illinois' diverse environmental community. In every session of the state legislature, the IEC initiates bills and shepherds more through the legislative process.
For more than three decades, the IEC has remained a steadfast force in Springfield and throughout Illinois, fighting to limit pollution and protect the state's natural heritage.
Our current projects include:
Illinois Climate Action Network (www.illinoisclimateactionnetwork.org) A coalition of environmental, health and faith organizations that has introduced legislation aimed at reducing Illinois' impact on global warming. The bills, which address energy efficiency and greenhouse gas pollution, include the Global Warming Response Act (SB 2220 / HB 5254), and the Illinois Clean Cars Act (HB3424 / SB 2238), which would raise the average miles-per-gallon of cars in Illinois to 39.2 MPG by 2020.
Mercury Free Illinois (www.mercuryfreeillinois.org) A coalition with the mission of reducing, and ultimately eliminating, mercury pollution in Illinois. In the past five years Mercury Free Illinois has helped to pass six laws banning the use of mercury in thermometers, thermostats and a range of other products. Currently, Mercury Free Illinois is advocating for programs that collect mercury products already in use, such as thermostats and compact fluorescent light bulbs. The Illinois General Assembly is considering House Bill 5348 to require a collection program for mercury thermostats.
Partners for Parks and Wildlife (www.partnersforparksandwildlife.org) A grassroots coalition that seeks to secure and increase funding for open space and park acquisition, natural area preservation, wildlife habitat protection and recreational opportunities in Illinois.
Additional information at http://www.ilenviro.org/
Illinois Stewardship Alliance
Illinois Stewardship Alliance (ISA) is a membership organization advocating for policies to support local and sustainable agriculture by providing community outreach to build a healthier local food system and educating the next generation of farmers.
- ISA works to re-establish safe, nutritious and local farm fresh food production that sustains rural communities.
- ISA encourages sustainable agricultural practices that minimize the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on small and local family farms.
- ISA connects family farmers and consumers to federal and state policy makers.
- ISA supports an innovative sustainable agriculture curriculum in Illinois Community Colleges that train new and existing farmers on how to transition to sustainable and organic practices on farms that are more environmentally sound and economically viable.
Additional information at http://www.ilstewards.org
