A voice for river communities

The Clean River Advisory Council (C-RAC, pronounced “see-rack”) was formed in 2023 through a partnership between the Quad Cities Community Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation’s Mississippi River Initiative with support from Iman Consulting.

“The Community Foundation is proud to partner with projects like C-RAC that bring national funding to our area to promote equity, serve communities, and strengthen nonprofits,” said Sue Hafkemeyer, the Community Foundation’s president and CEO. “Their work has made a big impact on our river communities already, and I know it’s just the beginning of what they will accomplish.”

C-RAC is a community-minded project designed to prioritize environmental justice, create a cultural connection to the Mississippi River, and center the perspectives of Black and Brown residents in environmental decisions. Their mission includes the QC River Connections Grants, facilitated in partnership with the Community Foundation. Last year, grants awarded $368,000 to 12 local organizations working to enrich river communities.

Now in its second year, the committee has advanced goals by outlining a Mississippi Equity Vision for the region, launching a collection of special projects, and presenting their work at conferences. Ragan Baker, student success director for United Way Quad Cities, joined the project this year and dove right into the work, presenting some of the committee’s work at the Soil and Water Conservation Society’s 2024 annual conference.

“We were there to share and learn,” said Baker. “It was inspiring to learn from others who are working in conservation and find connections with our project. And it was rewarding to share our efforts with others. We’re doing something innovative in the Quad Cities—it’s exciting to show our tool kit and give other organizations a model for reaching BIPOC citizens and enhancing youth development.”

Baker, whose background is in civic engagement, education, and fashion merchandising, didn’t initially see herself as a candidate for the committee. However, C-RAC makes a concerted effort to draw on a wide range of perspectives and areas of expertise. “It’s a different approach to environmental work,” said Baker. “Our group is diverse, and we have experts in everything. When we gather, there is so much energy and exchanging knowledge. You start to see how things are connected. For example, my work with C-RAC has encouraged me to look at fashion differently, through the lens of sustainability.”

The committee has big plans for the year ahead. Baker sits on a subcommittee that is designing a GIS map of the region that will collect and make accessible interviews with members of the BIPOC community, particularly individuals who experienced the 1965 flood. The goal of the project is to ensure that the history of these communities is not lost.

“C-RAC continues to show how innovation and collaborative thinking are essential to creating a bright, strong future for our region,” said Hafkemeyer. “With the support of a national funder, they are making a local impact on people and nature. It’s a model the Community Foundation strongly supports, and we want to see it adopted more widely.”

Interested in learning more about C-RAC’s vision? On Saturday, October 26th the organization is hosting a tree planting event with opportunities for the community to connect with the C-RAC project. The event is a joint effort by C-RAC, the West End Revitalization Project, Rock Island County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Living Lands and Waters. Click here to learn more.