Living Lands & Waters provides a timeline on how Chad Pregracke began Living Lands & Water and how his concern, creativity, and advocacy has grown into a large organization making strides toward a more sustainable future for an important body of water (Mississippi River). Additionally, it provides statistics on the programs impact along with information on others they have partnered with to make a difference. The Living Lands & Waters website provides students an outstanding example of how someone standing up for what they believe in can make significant change. It also equips them with the steps someone can take to get involved in their community.

Organization: Living Lands & Waters

Headquartered in East Moline, Illinois, Living Lands & Waters is a 501 (c)(3) environmental organization that was established by Chad Pregracke in 1998. Since the organization was founded, Living Lands & Waters has grown to be the only “industrial strength” river cleanup organization like it in the world. Spending up to nine months a year living and traveling on the barge, the Living Lands & Waters crew hosts river cleanups, watershed conservation initiatives, workshops, tree plantings and other key conservation efforts (Source).