When viewers tune in to the Big Ten Network, they may spot several SHL limnologists in a short video about Project AWARE (A Watershed Awareness River Expedition).

Project AWARE is an annual river clean up that aims to involve volunteers as stewards of Iowa waterways and increase awareness about water quality issues. It began in 2003. SHL has been a sponsor since 2005, and this year, helped manage the project.

"How the University of Iowa is helping clean up riverways, mile by mile," will be played during halftime of selected Big Ten athletic events, including some University of Iowa Hawkeyes football and basketball games through January. The video also is available on the SHL website, YouTube channel, Facebook and other social media channels.

The Big Ten chose AWARE as part of the BTN LiveBIG Video Vignette series because it demonstrates how the University of Iowa students, staff, faculty and alumni make a positive difference in their communities and inspire others to do the same.

"It's quite literally hundreds of volunteers muscling out things that you might think you need a crane to pull out," said Brian Soenen, AWARE coordinator. "On average, we've pulled out 35 tons of garbage out of a different river each year, 75 percent of which is all recycled."