From the bridges of Madison County to the shores of the mighty Mississippi, DNR’s Project AWARE annual river cleanup will get a little star power this year.

Best-selling author and Iowa native Robert James Waller will present a program entitled, "What the River Has Taught Me," at the Rockford Fossil & Prairie Center at 8:15 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3. This program, like all of the educational programs on Project AWARE, will be open to the public. A complete program schedule can be found on the Project AWARE Web site at www.iowaprojectaware.com.

Also joining the Project AWARE volunteers will be the man who inspired the event. In the spring of 1997, while still in college, Chad Pregracke set out on a mission – to rid the Mississippi River of unsightly junk. In 1998 he started a non-profit organization, Living Lands and Waters, and since then has inspired hundreds of river cleanup events, including Project AWARE. Pregracke and his cleanup crew are expected to join up with Project AWARE the latter part of the week.

This year, which marks the sixth year of the annual river cleanup event, will tackle about 82 miles of the Winnebago, Shell Rock and Cedar rivers from Aug. 2 to 9. The route will launch from Mason City and float through Rockford, Marble Rock, Greene, Clarksville and Shell Rock before landing in Cedar Falls. Volunteers participate by floating the river in a kayak or canoe and cleaning up river trash along the way. The expedition lasts an entire week, but volunteers may stay and help for as little or as long as they like.

Historic flooding along the route postponed AWARE, originally scheduled for June, creating new challenges for this year’s event.

“Cleanup is needed more now than ever on these rivers, and we’re glad that AWARE volunteers can help in the state’s flood recovery efforts,” said Brian Soenen, Project AWARE coordinator. “As the floodwaters have receded, they’ve likely left debris and trash in their wake, and we’re looking forward to help clean that up.”

Registration is required to volunteer on Project AWARE. To avoid a late registration fee, volunteers are asked to have their registration forms postmarked by Friday, July 18. Registration information can be found at www.iowaprojectaware.com.

In the five-year history of Project AWARE, the expedition has sported an impressive track record, enlisting 1,010 participants who have cleaned up more than 400 river miles and four different lakes, and removed over 1,000 cubic yards of trash, of which 85 percent has been recycled. Volunteers have also restored native prairie, renovated trails and enhanced recreational areas.

“Project AWARE is hands-down one of the filthiest yet most personally-rewarding summertime activities in the Midwest,” said Merry Rankin, a five-year Project AWARE veteran.

For more information on this event and to download the registration materials, please visit www.iowaprojectaware.com or contact Project AWARE by email at iowater@iowater.net or phone Jackie Gautsch at (319) 335-1761.