RIVERS CORPS OF DISCOVERY The dynamic, challenging rivers of Illinois and their floodplains provide a unique opportunity for committed citizens to participate in the documentation of the biological and habitat diversity of these ever-changing, historic watercourses. Two centuries ago Illinois served as the start for one of the greatest exploratory endeavors undertaken on the North American continent—the Lewis & Clark Expedition. This expedition generated perhaps the most famous nature journals ever compiled during the two-year exploration of the American West. Whereas Lewis and Clark traveled thousands of miles to document the diverse American West, in the Illinois of today it is the riverine landscape that will move, evolve, and change and the individuals who will stay put.
To document these watercourses the “Rivers Corps of Discovery,” consisting of individuals trained in the skills of photography, descriptive writing, and sketching/drawing who can create a total aesthetic picture of these unique ecosystems, both today and into the future.
The Rivers Corps of Discovery consists of a group of dedicated volunteers who have been trained to document nature and work under the auspices of the Illinois Natural History Survey. Our Mission is to provide an esthetic documentation of the natural beauty and history of Illinois Rivers and their assiciated landscapes, through writing, photography, sketching, and painting, while participating as volunteers in a variety of projects.