As we wait for spring and for our COVID vaccines, there are lots of opportunities for some great online learning and experiences. And the cardinals are out singing in the mornings, so we know spring is close!
Speaking of cardinals, did any of you participate in the Great Back Yard Bird Count? If you did, we’d love to hear what you observed. This program by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon, and Birds Canada heard from more than 260,000 people representing 176 countries. Over 130,000 images were shared. This all feeds into a world-wide database on birds that scientists can use to learn more about our bird populations and distribution.
FREP had a great turnout for our program on February 10th: The rusty-patched bumble bee and other native bees – what’s all the buzz about? Presented by Jason Robinson, PhD, Associate Entomologist, Illinois Natural History Survey. The video of this program is posted HERE.
Wild Things Conference: Staying Connected Through Nature, Part 2, is Feb. 26-28. The 2021 virtual conference features workshops and sessions from regional and national experts—plus meet & greets, video content, and exhibitors—with something for everyone, including you! Whether you want to learn about the plants and animals that call our region home or hear about new ecological research, whether you want to know where or how to get involved in conservation or meet other people passionate about nature, this is your event! https://www.wildthingscommunity.org/
Regenerative Agriculture: A New Beginning. March 4, 9 am - 11:30 am CST.
You are invited to learn how adjusting farming principles and practices can help to enhance the entire growing system of the farm, through soil health, water management and fertilizer use. Can these regenerative methods improve profitability and the marketing of your products? Join in this free webinar to find out. Sponsored by Chicago Wilderness and others, but regenerative agriculture has been a key interest of FREP for a few years now.
Presenters: Dave Brandt, Walnut Creek LLC; Dr. Emily Heaton, Professor of Regenerative Ag. and Extension Specialist, University of Illinois;
Kevin Kelley, Terra Vitae Farms. LINK
Then of course there’s our own Fox River Summit on Thursday March 11th – see information below. And our screening of the film Kiss the Ground as part of the One Earth Film Festival on Saturday March 13, 2021 at 11am. See information about that below.
We are also getting our youth involved through a pilot watershed-based science fair type activity. For this year it is being offered through Elgin School District U46 and their STEM Expo, an event for students from U46 and from Oswego East High School (by special invitation). Once we’ve run this pilot, we will roll this out to our entire watershed for any students that would like to participate in the fall. So, if you know of some local youth that might be interested in this, plant this idea with them and watch for more details. Contact me with any questions and if you’d be interested in helping.
I hope to see you online -
Jeff Mengler
FREP President
Photo credit: Northern Cardinals, Carole Wiley, Audubon Photography Awards, Audubon.org
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The Fox River Summit has always been an opportunity to share and connect, discuss issues and successes, and most importantly have fun. This year will be no exception, and you can do it all from the comfort of your own home. All you need is an internet connection to view presentations and a webcam/microphone to participate in breakout discussions. |
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This year the Fox River Summit is part of the week-long
Wisconsin Water Week's virtual event.
Our breakout session day is Thursday, March 11th
8:15 AM to 3:45 PM
$20 for the day
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Virtual Screening co-sponsored by FREP on
Saturday, March 13, 2021 11 AM
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Kiss the Ground is a full-length documentary narrated by Woody Harrelson that sheds light on an “new, old approach” to farming called “regenerative agriculture” that has the potential to balance our climate, replenish our vast water supplies, and feed the world.
Tickets are FREE, a donation of $8 per ticket is suggested.
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We are pleased to participate in the One Earth Film Festival for our fifth year, and work with our co-sponsors: The Conservation Foundation, Sierra Club - Valley of the Fox Chapter, Fox River Study Group, Friends of the Fox River, Kane DuPage Soil & Water Conservation District., Clean Water for Kane - Kane County Department of Environmental and Water Resources, Hey and Associates, RES/Applied Ecological Services
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For the post-film discussion, the Facilitator is Tom Philpott, Food and Agriculture Correspondent, Mother Jones magazine; host Mother Jones' food politics podcast, "Bite"
Panelists include Todd Larsen, Executive Co-Director for Consumer & Corporate Engagement, Green America; and Darion Crawford, Urban Farmer & Instructor, Urban Growers Collective
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Upcoming 2021 FREP Activity Dates: |
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Wednesday, April 14, 2021 FREP Noon Network Noon - 1:30 PM Via Zoom
Illinois Conservation Update
Speaker: Jack Darin, Executive Director of Sierra Club, Illinois
For many years Jack Darin participated in FREP's annual Conversations About Conservation with our Legislators. It is time to connect with Jack again and have him speak on current issues and environmental legislation in Illinois. Jack is always tuned in to what is happening in Springfield and across the State. We welcome his insight and advice on the latest happenings in our state capitol.
Thursday, April 22, 2021 Earth Day -- working on joint partner events.
If you are planning an Earth Day event -- please let us know so we can help publicize it.
Wed., May 12, 2021 FREP Membership Meeting & Program 1 PM Via Zoom
The 4th Conservation Movement
Speaker: Ed Collins, McHenry County Conservation District
How often have we wished over the many conservation battles we have fought across the years that we could find the key to dissolving the pieces of culture we are part of that see nature only as a resource to exploit? Yet we have struggled to find something deep enough, transformative enough, to rewrite the chapter of human experience that supports such a perspective. I believe that has now happened, not in a way we would have expected or chosen, but it has happened nonetheless. The world is in metamorphosis and we are discovering that the change we wish for the future begins within and not without. Now we must have the courage to weather the storms that bring the gift hidden within its winds.
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We truly appreciate your support and are grateful to all who have sent in their dues. Check for your name on our FREP Membership Roll If it isn't there yet this year --
Membership can be initiated or renewed online and dues paid via PayPal at:
Thank you to our latest member to renew: Geosyntec Consultants
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The Core Development Team has contracted with Map Hero (Matt Kania) to update the downloadable maps and web portal for the FF!WT. Map Hero developed the maps, web portal, logo and brochure for the Fabulous Fox Water Trail.
If you would like more information or learn how to get involved, please contact
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Other News in the Watershed: |
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March 19, 2021
Hosted by the Kendall, Grundy, & McHenry-Lake County Soil & Water Conservation Districts
Request link to register from
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Becky Hoag, Communications Manager
Fox River Ecosystem Partnership
Please email Becky if you have an email to add to our mailing list or content to add to the next monthly Downstream.
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