Grantee Profile

Washington University

Suppose you were concerned about the mercury levels in your local lake or stream, or about chemical runoff from a nearby factory farm, but had no idea how to go about getting your concerns addressed. Enter the Washington University's Interdisciplinary Environmental Clinic (Clinic), a group of engineering, science, and medical students and faculty at St. Louis's premier private university who provide pro bono legal and technical assistance to people in exactly your situation. Ranked third in the country among 16 similar programs by US News and World Report, the Clinic analyzes data, examines policies, reviews permit applications and compliance, and translates complex and confusing legal material into understandable language for individual clients and communities.

The Clinic is one of 24 organizations participating in the Mississippi River Water Quality Collaborative, a resource-sharing partnership collaborating on Clean Water Act and federal farm program issues to improve the Mississippi's water quality. Through the work of organizations like this one, the energy and passion of everyday citizens is harnessed and converted into real measurable change.

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