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last summer, the Illinois EPA helped Chicago's John G.
Shedd Aquarium launch two comprehensive perspectives of
water quality and pollution: Nonpoint Source Pollution
and Stream Ecology, and Water Wise. The
exhibits were funded in part by the U.S. EPA and by
Section 319 of the Clean Water Act.
Beginning Aug. 2, 1995, the exhibits allowed aquarium
visitors to compare differences between healthy and
polluted streams, to comprehend the different sources of
contamination and to explore some of the causes, problems
and solutions for correcting nonpoint source pollution of
Illinois Waterways.
Nonpoint Source Pollution and Stream Ecology
exhibit
This exhibit consisted of two components: one showing
a healthy and diverse stream environment; the other
depicting a polluted and ailing stream. The quality and
quantity of native fish and plants reveal the effects of
pollution in each stream. The exhibit is scheduled to run
for at least three years, and on Thursdays admission is
free.
During August, aquarium visitors were provided
microscopes through which to peer at native aquatic
plants, insects and amphibians. Also, Illinois EPA
employees explained how the Agency monitors and assesses
water quality throughout the state; they also discussed
techniques used to help identify nonpoint source
pollution in Illinois streams, rivers, and lakes.
Water Wise exhibit
The month-long Water Wise exhibit took a different
approach to depicting nonpoint source pollution. Located
in the aquarium's main foyer, this interactive display
featured an Illinois stream meandered by a friendly dairy
cow (symbolizing livestock), contaminating deposits of
road salt and a "shack of shame" identifying
common toxic household products. The stream eventually
connected with a storm drain.
The exhibit identified various stream and lake
conservation efforts and offered a working model of how
streams respond to human and natural influences. Illinois
EPA employees and other volunteers provided after-hours
presentations, demonstrations and additional information.
The world-famous Shedd Aquarium, located on Lake
Michigan at 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, attracts nearly two
million visitors a year.
Illinois EPA and aquarium personnel previously worked
together on events including Water Quality Awareness Week
and Wetlands Week, but the two recent exhibits raised
cooperation to a new level of innovative partnership.
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Shedd Exhibits Get Two
Thumbs Up
To better gauge public reaction to their two
water quality exhibits at Chicago's John G. Shedd
Aquarium last August, Illlinois EPA personnel
manning the displays asked visitors for their
opinions.
Fifty-six visitors from 10 states and two
foreign countries participated in the survey.
Forty-five said they were previously unaware of
nonpoint source pollution.
However, 52 visitors said they understood the
problem after viewing the displays, 34 identified
nonpoint source pollution as a significant
problem, 17 ranked it as important and only two
thought the problem was trivial.
Most respondents indicated that government
programs to control nonpoint source pollution
(planting trees along stream banks to halt
erosion or building wetlands to clean water
draining from farm fields) should be expanded, 15
visitors believed the programs should be contined
at current levels and two said they should be
discontinued.
Many visitors expressed appreciation after
learning about the subject. One youngster wrote,
"I like to know more about the environment
so I can make it better."
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