WHAT IS IT?
River cleanups are a great opportunity for Alliant Energy employees and their families to assist with flood relief efforts by cleaning debris that was left along the Cedar River.  Volunteers will be working with Living Lands & Waters (LL&W) while we are hosting our Alternative Spring Break events.  This will give volunteers the opportunity to make a difference with college students from all over the United States.  We will be working in Cedar Rapids, IA, a community devastated by the June, 2008 floods.

As many of you are aware, Cedar Rapids experienced an unprecedented disaster, leaving 1,300 city blocks on both banks of the river inundated. Nearly 4,000 homes were evacuated, displacing close to 24,000 people and causing many to label it “Iowa’s Katrina.”  In fact, the flooding in Iowa displaced more people than Katrina displaced in New Orleans.  Cedar Rapids was deemed a federal disaster area and remains that way today. 

To understand how you can make a difference please view the following video. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4YB9vYeJKM

The flood destroyed many homes and businesses washing an astonishing amount of debris into the Cedar River.  During the cleanups, volunteers will focus their efforts on removing this debris and sorting out recyclable materials.  Participants will traverse the Cedar River both on foot and in boats while working with the LL&W crew and college students to remove debris (tires, appliances, barrels, etc.) that is polluting the Cedar River and impairing the habitat of indigenous fish, birds, and wildlife.

WHERE & WHEN:
There are three weeks of Alliant Energy river cleanups, all taking place in Cedar Rapids, IA.  Each one runs from Monday through Thursday with two shifts to choose from per day.  The shifts will run from 9am to noon and 1pm to 4pm, but you also have the option of volunteering for the whole day.  The location of the work sites will vary.  Volunteers will be notified via email the day before their registered shift on the exact location.  Most days we will be working above or below the roller dam across from the Shack Tavern, located at 2545 Old River Road, Cedar Rapids. 

Below you will find our cleanup schedule.  Feel free to sign up for more than one day.  We appreciate any time you can lend!

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

• Clothing: Wear warm clothes and bring rain gear! March and April are chilly and wet on the water, so be sure to dress appropriately. You are strongly encouraged to wear long underwear and other base layers, as well as warm hats, ear muffs, sweatshirts, etc. Remember you can always take layers off. Keep in mind there’s nothing worse than being underdressed and cold! Bring clothes that can get dirty, stained or ripped and shoes that can get wet & muddy (rubber boots are best!). You are strongly recommended to bring extra socks as it is going to be cold and you may want to double up. You may want to bring a change of clothing, so you are able change after your shift.
• Waiver: Please print the “general liability form” above. Read, sign and bring it to the cleanup you are participating in for our Programs Coordinator, Shanon Reineke, to collect. Please date the waiver for the day you are working (not the day you sign it). If any volunteers are under the age of 18 they will need their parents to sign the waiver.
• Transportation: Volunteers are expected to provide their own transportation to and from the work sites each day.

WHAT WILL BE PROVIDED?

• Life jackets
• Water
• Gloves
• Trash bags
• Small hand tools
• Bug spray
• Sun screen
• 1st aid (if necessary)

HOW DO I SIGN UP?
It’s easy! Just click on the “Register Online” button below to access the on-line registration form. There you will need to enter your name, contact information, and select your desired river cleanup shift from the pull down menu. You will also have the option to sign up as a group if you choose to organize volunteers from your facility. If you don’t have access to email, or have a question related to the event, please feel free to email or call Shanon Reineke of Living Lands & Waters. Her contact information is as follows:

Shanon Reineke
shanon@livinglandsandwaters.org
(309)236-5627

FYI... There is a limit of 10 volunteers per shift so please sign up before it’s too late!

Who do I contact if I have questions?
Feel free to contact Tammy Becker if you have any questions: