Beacon Harbor Renovation Project
Founded in 1998, Living Lands & Waters continues to be at the forefront of river cleanups and environmental education. Since its inception, LL&W has mobilized over 130,000 volunteers, educated over 28,000 students, planted over 2 million trees, and cleaned up over 13 million pounds of garbage from America’s rivers. Our work is supported by a dedicated community of donors and volunteers, and we could not have accomplished all we have over the years without your trust in our work. Thank you for your belief in our mission and your continued engagement!
In 2023, we purchased the unique Beacon Harbor building on the Mississippi River waterfront in East Moline to serve as our new organizational headquarters. We have long had a vision of a space where our service to the river, our community, and our conservation efforts could converge. We believe this vision will be realized at the Beacon Harbor building and grounds.
We are now embarking on a capital campaign to raise $260,000 for the renovation of Beacon Harbor. Financial support will fund essential design plans, exterior and interior renovations, and necessary upgrades to make the space functional, safe, and welcoming. Renovations and construction will allow us to create a hub for environmental education, community engagement, and conservation action located right on the Mississippi River in our home base of East Moline.
Benefits of the Beacon Harbor Renovation to the Community
Enhanced Community Engagement: Direct river access will facilitate increased volunteer, student, and community participation. Our new headquarters will host programs, community events, and activities on the river, increasing community interaction.
Educational Impact: Hundreds of students have engaged with our Mississippi River Institute barge, with an estimated 1,000 students expected by the end of the year. The Beacon Harbor site will continue to support educational programs, fostering environmental awareness among students.
Increased Visibility and Outreach: The headquarters’ location on the river path will increase LL&W’s visibility and mission within the community, highlighting the importance of all our ongoing efforts to steward our rivers for a sustainable future.
Honoring Local Ties: The new headquarters honors Founder and President Chad Pregracke’s lifelong ties to East Moline and our continued investment in our local community.
Funding is crucial to transforming Beacon Harbor into a vibrant headquarters for Living Lands & Waters. Together, we can enhance our community, restore our environment, and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. Join us in this pivotal moment for Living Lands & Waters as we expand our impact and deepen our commitment to the future of our precious river resources and the legacy of the Mississippi River.
