
"Eco-inspiration: Waterkeeper's mission makes for a fascinating novel"
by Leslie Llipsch
"When local novelist Joan Mauch first came across the term "waterkeeper" while reading an article in the Moline Dispatch, she was intrigued. The article featured Art Norris, who was identified as the Quad-Cities' waterkeeper.
"The term puzzled me as I had never heard it before," she recalls. "We had our very own waterkeeper? And what exactly was he doing with our water? To me it sounded a bit odd."
For someone who spends much of her time thinking about story, Mauch couldn't help but want to learn more, so she started digging. What she uncovered ultimately prompted her latest novel, "The Waterkeeper's Daughter," published last November.
The term "waterkeeper" refers to an organization affiliated with the Waterkeeper Alliance, an international organization that unites almost 200 independent nonprofits funded by donations and grants. Ultimately, the purpose of the New York-based Water Keeper Alliance is to ensure that a community's right to clean water is upheld."
The rest of the article may be found by clicking on the above link. If you would like to learn more about the Waterkeeper Alliance and you live in the Quad-Cities area, come to the Bettendorf Library, 2950 Learning Campus Drive, Bettendorf on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 7:00 p.m. Art and Joan will give a joint presentation as part of the library's Read Local program. Art will discuss the Waterkeeper movement and Joan will read from her latest novel, "The Waterkeeper's Daughter."
We look forward to seeing you!