Project AWARE opens the door to understanding Iowa’s waters

Volunteers found wire, tires, fencing, a vending machine, and a small couch during the week-long Project AWARE expedition.

A pair of Project AWARE volunteers haul their daily collection of trash from the Cedar River downstream to a collection point. Press photo by Kate Hayden

Volunteers at a Charles City dock empty incoming boats of debris.

Volunteers sort through materials in the Floyd County Courthouse parking lot.

Christian washes out a tire volunteers brought in at the end of Thursday.

Volunteers used heavy machinery to bring in some of the trash found out in the river.

Trash piles up as boats keep arriving at the Floyd County Courthouse parking lot on Thursday.