Education outreach is critical to improving and preserving the water quality in the Illinois River watershed.

Educating and motivating stakeholders to take positive personal actions and work together for greater impact is our goal.

Check out our current education initiatives and join us as a volunteer at events or as a member helping to plan activities.

To learn more about the Illinois River Watershed Partnership's Video and Photography Contest and specific Outreach Events, to view Education and Outreach Videos and Photos, and to test your watershed knowledge, use the links on the left.

2012 Action Plan

MISSION 1:  EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

Watershed Media Campaign

  • TV, radio, newspaper
  • Spanish and Marshallese on flood campaign

Clean Water Raingers Program

  • New watershed songs and illustrated book
  • School Watershed Concerts
  • CWR program expanded to include Beaver Lake Watershed

Internship Projects – Spring or Fall

  • UA, OSU, NSU, JBU, NWACC
  • Target science education programs

Watershed Video-Photography-Coloring Contest

  • Elementary, Junior, Senior High School
  • Target EAST programs and state conference

Watershed Festival – May 10

  • AWAG Watershed Festival - Lake Wedington
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Watershed Camp – June 25-29

  • Day camps – 8-12 yrs.; Teachers

4-H Club Illinois River Rally – July 13

Rain Garden Academy – April 5 and Fall TBD

NWA Rain Gardens and How to Design Your Own

  • ANRC Rain Garden Project

Blue Trail: Four Seasons on the Illinois River

  • Floats with AR-OK Legslators, City Council members, IRWP Sponsors and partners

Education Events

  • Booths, fairs, conferences, memberships

MISSION 2:  WATER QUALITY MONITORING

Professional Monitoring Program

USGS Biological Assessment Project

18 sites – Fish, macroinvertebrates, algae, chemical

USGS gauges partial funding

  • Gauge 1: 07195430 Illinois River S. Siloam
  • Gauge 2: 07195855 Flint Creek W. Siloam
  • Gauge 3: 07196900 Baron Fork at Dutch Mills

Watershed Management Plan

  • Work on draft plan
  • TMDL Committee

Volunteer Monitoring

Hach Kits (3) – AR Game & Fish – ongoing training for streamteams and individuals

World Water Monitoring Day and Make A Difference Day

  • Lincoln Lake - Oct. 29

Creek Cleanups: May, Aug, Nov

  • Illinois River
  • Osage Creek, Rogers
  • Spring Creek, Springdale
  • Mud and Scull Creek, Fayetteville
  • Sager Creek, Siloam Springs

MISSION 3:  CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION PROJECTS

Riparian Project – March 10

  • Seedlings in Fayetteville, Prairie Grove, Gentry, Rogers, Siloam Springs, Springdale, Tahlequah
  • 1,000 seedlings in small containers at Flint Creek Power Plant Tree Farm, Gentry 
  • City landscaping and mowing training
  • Identification of seedlings
  • Signage

Rain Garden Projects  

  • 10-15 Rain Gardens in 2012

Tree Farms established

  • work with new partners

Greenhouse Project

  • Native plants for rain gardens
  • Work with high school greenhouses

CREP-EQIP Education/Demonstration Workshops

  • IRWP Conservation Program Coordinator
  • Partner with USDA FSA, ANRC for education and outreach to landowners

Jet Stinger Demonstrations

  • Equipment available for demonstrations

Septic System Workshop - February 9

  • Cave Springs Community Building; co-sponsors Benton County Health Department

Potential Pending Projects:

IRWP Watershed Education Center

River/Stream restoration workshop and assessment

Volunteer Low Phosphorous Lawn Fertilizer Campaign