PROJECT #46: WATER & NATURE WEEKEND

A Solution to Address Waste

June 1-2, 2024 | St. Louis, MO | Mississippi River


1,780 lbs

of trash removed from the Mississippi River watershed

40

dedicated volunteers from 7 organizations

COUNTLESS

people made aware of the importance of river conservation


WATER AND NATURE WEEKEND AT ENJOY ILLINOIS 300

Thanks to our partnership with Dow, we had the opportunity to be part of a unique collaboration, using a NASCAR event to highlight the importance of water and land conservation. We teamed up with Ducks Unlimited, Living Lands & Waters, Louisiana State University, Dow, Friends of the Fox River, and the Richard Childress Racing (RCR) Team - including Austin Dillon, driver of the No. 3 Dow Chevy, and his pit crew for a weekend focused on water and nature. The weekend kicked off with a river cleanup, followed by a summit focused on water and land conversations, then ended with the Enjoy Illinois 300, a NASCAR Cup Series race.

RIVER CLEANUP

River Heroes from Living Lands & Waters led a river cleanup with the help of approximately 40 volunteers, resulting in 1,780 lbs. of trash being removed from an island in the middle of the Mississippi River. Volunteers partnered to raise awareness for the critical needs of water and nature ecosystems and to inspire people to get more involved in improving, protecting and preserving the world’s rivers.

CONSERVATION SUMMIT

After the cleanup, all participants gathered to discuss the importance of water and land initiatives and to explore more ways to collaborate and raise public awareness around the importance of our planet’s rivers and various ecosystems. Rivers are Life is proud to partner with like-minded businesses, educational institutions, non-governmental organizations and activists willing to contribute invaluable research, expertise, and resources to help move the needle for river sustainability. 

ENJOY ILLINOIS 300 NASCAR RACE

Richard Childress Racing (RCR) Team used this race as an opportunity to highlight Rivers are Life and our incredible, earth-saving partners on the No. 3 Dow Chevy. Driven by Austin Dillon, the No. 3 car featured custom, original artwork with a nod to water and nature conservation. We were honored to watch our logo zoom around the track at 200+ mph! 

 

PROJECT GALLERY

 

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS

“It was rewarding to work with Dow alongside their partners Ducks Unlimited and Rivers are Life to support a local ecosystem. It’s important we take an active role to preserve nature for the benefit of communities now and into the future. I hope more individuals and organizations get involved.” 
Austin Dillon

Driver, RCR Racing

“Dow is committed to finding innovative and collaborative ways to protect rivers and other natural ecosystems. We want to continue to raise awareness around conservation needs and to encourage and inspire other like-minded organizations to join us in supporting healthy ecosystems and programs such as Rivers are Life.”
Carrie Houtman

Sustainability Director for Circularity and Climate at Dow

"Through films, events, and community projects, Rivers are Life is building a global movement to engage river advocates, activists and supporters every day to preserve, protect and explore the world’s waterways and ecosystems. Partnering with prominent figures like Austin Dillon ahead of the Illinois 300 NASCAR race was a unique opportunity to highlight the important role rivers play in front of an entirely new audience.” 
Chris Keefer

Founder and CEO of BeAlive Inc.
& co-founder of Rivers are Life.

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