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Awards & Honors

AWARDS & HONORS

The LL&W crew has worked hard cleaning up America’s rivers for the past 20+ years and we are grateful - and often humbled - to be recognized for it.

  • 2019
    2019
    • Chad Pregracke was presented with the Stroud Award for Freshwater Excellence in recognition of his dedication and determination to protect freshwater.
  • 2018
    2018
    • Charity Navigator 4-Star - Living Lands & Waters was awarded a 4-star rating by  Charity Navigator for the 8th consecutive year. Only 3% of reviewed charities have been able to accomplish this. Our rating means that we're accountable, transparent and financially healthy.
    • Awarded "Mayor's Choice" at the East Moline 4th of July Parade for "Garbage Monster" parade float entry.
    • Awarded "Mayor's Choice" at the Davenport Halloween Parade for "Garbage Monster" parade float entry.

     

  • 2017
    2017
    • Duke of Paducah – Chad Pregracke was named Duke of Paducah by Mayor Brandi Harless – December 7, 2017
    • 2017 Golden Glow Awards – The Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers (AGLOW) awarded its highest honor to three recipients at its recent annual conference at Lake of the Woods, Minnesota.  Golden Glow Awards were presented in the Excellence-In-Craft, Organization, and Individual categories during the Clam Outdoors Golden Glow Banquet at the Sportsman’s Lodge – September 27, 2017 – Click for more information.
    • Outstanding Community Service – The State of California Senate presented this certificate of recognition in honor of “Outstanding Community Service – In special recognition of your unyielding commitment and dedication to the betterment of our community and for your exemplary leadership and advocacy effort as founder of Living Lands & Waters.” Signed by Senator Joel Anderson, August 31, 2017.
    • “The Chad Pregracke” –  Marquette Transportation Co. has named their latest M/V (motor vessel) after our fearless leader – May 23, 2017 – More Information.
  • 2016
    2016
    • Chad honored as a CNN Superhero – December 8, 2016 - more information
    • Chad was presented with the River Bell – Distinguished Service Award from the Seaman’s Church Institute – December 8, 2016 
  • 2015
    2015
    • Awarded keys to three of Alabama’s “Quad Cities,” which are framed and happily hanging on a barge wall. The cities are: Florence, Sheffield and Tuscumbia.
  • 2013
    2013
    • Illinois proclaims December 1 as Chad Pregracke Day – November 27, 2013 – official proclamation details
    • CNN Hero of the Year – November 19, 2013
    • The Order of Lincoln – Given by the Academy of Lincoln at Augustana College, Rock Island, IL April 13th, 2013
  • 2011
    2011
    • National Rivers Hall of Fame Dubuque – Iowa National Achievement Award – Presented at the Waterways Council Inc. Symposium, Pittsburgh, PA October 21st, 2011
    • Points of Light Tribute – “A Celebration of Service” – Recognition honoring Chad Pregracke, JFK Center Washington, DC March 21st, 2011
  • 2010
    2010
    • Lincolnland Legends Honoree – Illinois Dollars for Scholars February 10th, 2010
    • Black Hawk College Alumni Hall of Fame – August 8th, 2010
    • Mitchum’s “Hardest Working Person in America” – August 18th, 2010
    • Honorary Citizen of the Year – City of Rock Island, Illinois August 23rd, 2010
  • 2009
    2009
    • Community Builder Award – Moline Lodge no. 1014 A.F. & A.M. August 8th, 2009
    • Heartland Community College Distinguished Alumni Award – Heartland Community College, Normal, Illinois April 20th, 2009
    • Dedication of The Pregracke Center – Heartland Community College, Normal, Illinois April 20th, 2009
  • 2008
    2008
    • Golden Glow Individual Award – Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers September 2008
    • Nominated for Heroes of Conservation –Field & Stream Magazine September 2008
    • River Industry Executive Task Force honored Chad for his commitment to river ecosystem restoration and his visionary achievement in building alliances for a cleaner river – Presented at the “Make Change Possible”- Inland Waterways Conference March 4th, 2008
  • 2007
    2007
    • Distinguished Alumnus Award – Illinois Community College Trustees Association June 8th, 2007
    • Environmental Hero Award from Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn for MillionTrees Project
    • Take Pride in America – United States Department of Interior
  • 2006
    2006
    • 2006 River Steward Award – presented by Prairie Rivers Network
    • 2005 Quad Citian of the Year – presented by Best of the Quad Cities 2005 River Cities’ Reader Poll. Award presented in 2006
    • Outstanding Alumni Award – 2006 American Association of Community Colleges
  • 2005
    2005
    • Achievement in Conservation – Hannah Caldwell Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution
    • Environmental Stewardship Award – National Mississippi River Parkway Commission, Minneapolis, Minnesota
    • National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Award (NOAA)
    • People Are Today’s Heroes (PATH) Award – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich
  • 2004
    2004
    • Quad-Cities Area Leaders under 40 – Black Hawk College Foundation, Moline, IL
    • Seventh annual “What’s Right with the Region!” award presented by FOCUS St. Louis
  • 2003
    2003
    • Social Entrepreneurship Award – Manhattan Institute for Policy Research
    • Honorary Doctorate – St. Ambrose University, Davenport, IA
    • Hall of Fame – United Township High School, East Moline, IL
    • National Fishing Hall of Fame – Hayward, WI
  • 2002
    2002
    • The Jefferson Award, presented by the American Institute for Public Service (comparable to the Nobel Prize) – Awarded for Community Service in Washington, D.C.
    • Outstanding Achievement Award – Mary Little Deere-Fort Armstrong Chapter NSDAR (Daughters of the American Revolution)
  • 2001
    2001
    • Hometown Hero Hall of Fame – TEK Extra Magazine for Kids (A Time Magazine publication distributed to schools)
    • Humanitarian Award – Southern Illinois Celebration of National Hunting & Fishing Days
    • Excellence in Education Award – Black Hawk College
    • Best Conservation Activities – Mary Little Deere-Fort Armstrong Chapter NSDAR (Daughters of the American Revolution)
    • Biography Magazine Top 10 Future Classics in America Award
  • 2000
    2000
    • E-chievement Award – E Town (National Public Radio)
    • Merit Award – Soil and Water Conservation Society
    • Eddy Award for Environmental Stewardship – River Action
    • Making Waves Award (Peoria, IL) – Clean Water Celebration
    • Conservationist of the Year Award – Izaak Walton League, Iowa Chapter
    • Distinguished Community Service – Rock Island Rotary
    • Chuck Yeager Award – National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
    • Fellow of the Institute (Augustana College) – Institute for Leadership & Services
    • Key to the City – Quincy, IL
    • Metrobank – Eagle Award for Community Service
  • 1999
    1999
    • Environmental Stewardship Award – Putnam Museum of Natural History
    • Merit Award – Soil and Water Conservation Society, Illinois Chapter
  • 1998
    1998
    • John H. Williams Community Service Award – Community Caring Conference
    • Citizen Conservationist of the Year – Illinois Wildlife Federation
  • 1997
    1997
    • Certification of Recognition – Modern Woodman of America
    • Appreciation Award – Northern Zone Association of Illinois Wildlife Foundation
    • Illinois Jaycees Top Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award

Our Impact

  • Pounds of Trash Removed

    13,258,825

  • Volunteers Engaged

    130,547

  • Students Educated

    27,944

  • Trees Planted

    1,953,378

© 2023 Living Lands & Waters
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