The first Project A.W.A.R.E. is over but the journey has just started. Overview Over 100 of us, at various times, hauled out 109 tires, 16 chairs, 91 bags of trash, some methamphetamine lab items, and an EasyBake Oven, to name just a fraction of the garbage we pulled. We monitored the water at ever starting, midway and end point along the trip. Each night we had presentations that ranged from statistical analysis, botany, history, poetry and philosophy. The common thread was the health of a particular watershed, the Maquoketa. It rained, it hailed, and we had several dumps. And through all this, a fun time was had by all. We would like to extend a special, "thank you," to Jason O'Brien of Iowa Nature Mapping for his help and direction in expanding the scope of our expedition. Cleanup crew finds inspiration By Mike Kilen - Des Moines Register

2003 Participants: Dave Brookes, Donna Buell, Ann Burns, Jim Carey, Mary Beth Carey, Dave Carson, Barb Cooey, Marvin Cotton, Connie Cotton, Ken Eekhoff, Tena Eekhoff, Diane Ford-Shivvers, Shirley Frederiksen, Jacklyn Gautsch, Doug Hawker, Teresa Hay-McMahon, Deborah Howe, Judith Imgrund, Jodi Jeanes, Jacob Jeanes, Paul Johnson, Warren Johnson, Mike Kilen, Denny Kingsley, Brent Klostermann, Christy Krause, Rick Lawrence, Blair Lawson, Mark Leoschke, Matt Lukehart, Curtis Lundy, Mark Mason, Cindy McDermott, Anna MacDonald, Maya Ogren, Tom O'Neill, David Osterberg, Mike Ouverson, John Pearson, Marilyn Pilgrim, Molly Pisark, Amy Podzimek, Merry Rankin, Jerry Rupert, Danny Sallee, Neil Sass, Pat Schlarbaum, Roger Schnittjer, Lynette Seigley, Mary Skopec, Ron Smith, Gregory Soenen, Brian Soenen, Larry Stone, Linda Terry, Perry Thostenson, Larry Tschritte, Patric Vaelli, Mary Von Ah-Gregory, Don Walsh and Dean Zimmerman.