Downstate Illinois Conservation Program

Environmental Law & Policy Center, Chicago, $40,000
To continue their work on water quality standards, pollution and wetlands permits, TMDLs and Clean Water Act enforcement.

Prairie Rivers Network, Champaign, $35,000
For the Clean Water, Habitat Protection and Citizen Advocacy project that will improve water quality, protect fish and wildlife habitat, and lead to a more active citizenry committed to these efforts.

Embarras River Management Association, Toledo, $24,000
To give High School students the chance to acquire a working knowledge and skills to deal with environmental and biological sciences.  

Metropolitan Planning Council, Openlands, and Campaign for Sensible Growth, Chicago, $30,000
To promote the long-term implementation of water supply planning in Illinois through education and policy development.

The Nature Conservancy in Illinois, Chicago, $15,000
To develop a hydrologic model for the Mackinaw River to understand how sediment and nutrients from tile-drained waters from agricultural fields flow through the river system.  This information will inform conservation work in the Mackinaw River watershed.

Environment Illinois, Chicago, $15,000
To research a comprehensive precautionary toxics policy, build a diverse coalition of organizations that support responsible chemical policies, and publicize campaigns through websites, fact sheets, brochures and other communication.

Washington University, St. Louis, MO, $20,000  
To work with the American Bottom Conservancy in East St. Louis, IL to improve water quality in Horseshoe Lake located in Madison County, IL.

Illinois Stewardship Alliance, Rochester, $40,000
To establish a local food policy in Springfield and to otherwise encourage local food production and consumption in Central Illinois. 

Champaign County Forest Preserve District Environmental Education Center, Homer, $1,715
For renovations to the exhibits of the Environmental Education Center at Homer Lake Forest Preserve in Homer, IL located in Champaign County.  The exhibit renovation plan reflects three major habitats found in Illinois: Prairie, Forest and Aquatic.

Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund, Springfield, $30,000
To support the Power Building Project which aims to increase the political power of the environmental community in Springfield and downstate Illinois. The plan aims to involve underserved members in a full range of activities and build a statewide action network grouped by legislative district.

Illinois Environmental Fundraising Collaborative, Springfield, $30,000
To support the Rolling on the River event's third year in 2008 by providing working capital.

University of Wisconsin – Eco-toxicology Research Fund, Madison, WI, $20,000 For Dr. Warren Porter to support the hiring of a graduate student to do research on the affects of non-organic and GMO food versus organic food in human development, particularly children.