One of the greatest natural treasures of our state is the Illinois River and its basin waterways which attract about 100,000 visitors – and their litter – each season. For years, the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission has recruited and coordinated area agencies, environmentally-minded groups and hundreds of volunteers for a massive cleanup effort to help make this treasure sparkle.

Using creative prize incentives, imaginative promotional materials and effective media communications, the OSRC not only attracts hundreds of river cleanup volunteers, but also prepares them and later follows up with them. The river-cleaning events are a sparkling clear example of solid teamwork that reinforces a sense of personal responsibility for the environment.

The judges called this “a classic solution to an ever-present problem” and urged the OSRC to “keep up the good work!” For annually removing tons of litter, we call the OKLAHOMA SCENIC RIVERS COMMISSION ANNUAL ILLINOIS RIVER CLEANUP GOOD NEWS FOR OKLAHOMA’S WATERWAYS!