When I wrote my President’s message a year ago, in December 2019, I talked of the unprecedented challenges we faced, primarily meaning climate-change and rolled-back environmental regulations. Of course, I had no idea what 2020 would really bring, leading to all the many jokes and memes about the year 2020. We’re all anxious to get 2020 in the rearview mirror, though we do need to remain focused on the future and what we all can do.
My message a year ago emphasized that we all needed to take action to meet the challenge of climate change and protect the environment. And that hasn’t changed despite all that 2020 dealt us. We all need to act in our own homes and lives, and work together to have a greater affect. Cut out single-use plastics, plant native species, cease using lawn chemicals, get solar panels, or something else that you’re not already doing that helps us toward sustainability for our watershed and the world. There are lots of great books and films on what we all can do, and they give great message of hope as well.
See the information below for our virtual December holiday gathering for a chance to share what you’re doing in your own yard, and to support local farm-to-table businesses. And then watch for our programs in 2021 – the first part of the year will be mostly virtual but with the expectation that we’ll be back in person by mid-year or so. We are planning a number of great events, including a virtual Fox River Summit and One Earth Film Festival screening.
In the meantime, I recommend Douglas Tallamey’s book Nature’s Best Hope (which is available as an audio book or ebook), the film 2040 Join the Regeneration by Damon Gameau, or the book Our Wild Calling by Richard Louv.
Finally, I thank you all for your support in 2020. Please support us and your other favorite charities on Giving Tuesday (December 1st) or anytime thereafter.
Jeff Mengler
FREP President
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FREP now posts program videos to our own YouTube page.
The latest post is our November 11, 2020 program on
Regenerative & Sustainable Agriculture.
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Wednesday, December 9, 2020 FREP Holiday Zoom Party
6:30 PM
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In recent years, FREP has held an annual, informal holiday gathering in December at a local establishment within our watershed that is committed to sustainable practices and local farm-to-table in their business. We have been able to talk with an owner/chef at each one to learn more about their commitment and the challenges they face in doing so.
This year due to the surging COVID pandemic, we will not be gathering in person. We want all of our members and friends to stay safe through the holidays. So -
we’re planning a special virtual event via Zoom – what else?!!!
During this party we want to hear the stories and see photos/videos of your back (or front) yard and how you’re making it more sustainable and supportive of the biodiversity in our watershed. We know we are all doing what we can personally at home, and so this might give others ideas and inspirations as to things we can all do to help in our own yards. It can feature the native plants or the critters of your yard, or both. We can take turns sharing our screens to showcase – via Zoom. Jeff Mengler has an iPhone video he made of some of the features his yard that he'll share.
So get your own photos ready to share, via Zoom screen-sharing during this party.
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We also want to continue the tradition of supporting restaurants and pubs that are supporting locally-grown food and sustainable practices (e.g. eliminating plastic cups and straws). So, we encourage you to order out your food and beverages from your favorite local establishment that shares these virtues and share information about your source with the rest of us so that we can all learn where more of these places are.
Get your food to eat while we have our party, or, order some at another time over the holidays and support our local businesses.
Our previous parties were held at the following:
If you have another Fox River watershed-located eatery to recommend and you'd like us to include on our list, please email Becky and she will add it to the list on our website news page.
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FREP Membership & Annual Dues
Current members should have received their annual dues statements by mail.
We truly appreciate your support and are grateful to all who have sent in their dues.
We are listing our latest
2020-21 paid members here, and also have them all posted
on the:
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2020-21 Dues Paid for these members
(Since those posted in our Oct 30th Downstream):
Campton Township
City of Aurora
City of St. Charles
Kane County Development and Community Services Department
Chris Kious, Friend
Village of Port Barrington
Membership can be initiated or renewed online and dues paid via PayPal at:
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Giving Tuesday is December 1st |
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When you are making your donations, please consider supporting FREP. We hope for brand new opportunities in 2021 for FREP to help those in our watershed find resources, funding opportunities, and inspiration to continue improving and sustaining our Fox River communities.
Thank You!
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Plans are being made for our 2021 Meeting Programs and Noon Networks, and we will be announcing these soon. Save these dates:
Wed., January 13, 2021 FREP Annual Membership Meeting, Elections and Program 1 PM Via Zoom
Wed., February 10, 2021 FREP Noon Network Noon - 1:30 PM Via Zoom
Thurs., March 11. 2021 Annual Fox River Summit - Virtual - watch for details
Wed., April 14, 2021 FREP Noon Network Noon - 1:30 PM
Wed., May 12, 2021 FREP Membership Meeting & Program 1 PM
Wed., June 9, 2021 FREP Noon Network Noon - 1:30 PM
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The Illinois State Water Plan Update Needs Your Feedback |
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The Illinois State Water Plan is being updated for the first time in 40 years. The State Water Plan exists to provide guidance on how the state manages our water resources, covering issues from water quality and climate change to recreation and equity of access.
This is a tremendous opportunity for Illinois to create a bold, inclusive vision for Illinois’ water. Q&A sessions are being held Dec. 1, 2, 3. And there is a survey you can complete. Details at: IDNR Water Resources HERE.
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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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