Several readers have asked about the articles written under the authorship of the Environmental Advocates of McDonough County. Who are we and what is our mission? We are a small group of individuals working with a volunteer board comprised of Kathy Fischer, Professor Emeritus, Health Sciences WIU; Dan Wise, Professor Emeritus, Geography WIU; Jack McKinnon, retired junior high science teacher, La Harpe Junior High; and Bob Fischer, Professor Emeritus, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, WIU.
The group’s primary function is to serve as advocates for various environmental projects throughout McDonough County. We have supported WIU LIFE classes on climate change and environmentally friendly products. We supported environmental awareness at a children’s day camp presented by the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Newman Center with projects such as seed bombs. We had a presence at the summer 2025 Farmer’s Market, and participate in environmental events-- e.g. Earth Day. We publish articles in Community News that are designed to provide discussions on various environmental issues and solutions.
We have developed relationships with a few local groups such as the WIU LIFE program, Faith Based Creation Care, Caps to Benches with Macomb City, the Colchester Lion’s Club, Farmer’s Market, Macomb High School Ecology Club, Woman’s Club Glass Recycling program, Community News, McDonough County Environmentally Concerned Citizens, and others. We are focused on educating children and adults about our environment, climate change, and how to reduce our carbon footprint. We have developed and are working on additional resources to provide information on recycled products, alternatives to single-use plastics, and products not made from trees. We act as a resource for various local events that promote environmental issues.
For more information about our efforts, see our flyers at the Old Dairy, Wine Sellers, or the Western Illinois Museum, or contact us at [email protected].
