FREP programs are free, open to the public

Reservations are not required, unless so stated

Wed., September 13th   

FREP Membership Meeting & Program

1-2:30 PM

Location:   Algonquin Public Works Facility

110 Mitchard Way, Algonquin, IL

(Mitchard is new name for Meyer Rd.)

Program:    Engaging Young People in

Ecosystem Restoration

Presenters:  Sarah Voska

Bluestem Ecological Services

Sarah is the Sales Manager at Bluestem Ecological Services. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Climate Change from Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso in Chile, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainability Studies from UW Parkside. Since 2021, she has been a Youth Task Force member of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. She will speak to us about how we can better engage today’s youth in ecosystem restoration related studies and careers, and how we can diversify that workforce.

FREP Executive Committee will meet from 11 AM - 12:45 PM

Special election at our September 13 Meeting:

The passing of Elizabeth Hagen-Moeller has required us to seek a new FREP treasurer. Sue Glavin and Eva Kiss of Fox Metro Water Reclamation have agreed to serve as co-treasurers. This will require a special election at our membership meeting.

Thank you Sue & Eva, for agreeing to serve and join the members of the FREP Executive Committee!

Upcoming FREP Activities:

Wed., October 11th   FREP Noon Network Noon-1:30 PM

Location:

Pingree Grove Forest Preserve

Forest Preserve District of Kane County

14N187 Route 20, Pingree Grove

Program:    Habitat & Hydrologic Restoration at Pingree Grove FP

Presenters:  Jeff Mengler, Dave Kraft (Hey and Associates, Inc), Bill Graser (KCFPD)

We were sorry we had to cancel our July picnic here due to severe weather.

We are looking forward to offering this program/tour as our Oct. Noon Network

Pingree Grove Forest Preserve contains a large marsh complex that is potential habitat for several state-listed species including the yellow-headed blackbird. The marsh currently lacks significant patches of open water due to dense growth by invasive species (e.g., narrowleaf cattail and common reed). Open water conditions within the marsh are critically important for migratory waterfowl, as well as the state endangered species historically present in the marsh. Water currently exits the marsh through a large culvert controlled by a railroad and therefore Forest Preserve District lacks the ability to manage water levels. In addition, the marsh is a known occurrence location for the state-listed Blanding’s turtle. The closed (vegetation) nature of the marsh is not providing ideal habitat for the turtles. 

Recently, I was out at Clark Island Park in Batavia conducting a delineation of wetlands and waters for permitting. Batavia Park District is working on a plan to rejuvenate this iconic park and they may need permits for some of the construction. But that is not the focus of this story. While I was walking along the edge of the river by the bridge to the island, I noticed a school-aged boy fishing from the exposed gravel bar just a little ways downstream of where I was at. He was by himself, but then I noticed across the water on the exposed gravel around the island an older gentleman and a young girl. I continued about my work, not wanting to make them nervous about my presence.

Soon I heard the boy call out – Grandpa, Grandpa, Look! Look what I got! He had caught a small fish. Grandpa hollered back some encouragement – way to go, good job! He didn’t offer to go help get the fish off the hook or anything. But this confirmed the boy was under the watchful eye of his Grandpa, who was also fishing with the boy’s sister. Grandma was sitting a bit farther back in her lawn chair. The boy took the fish off the hook, went back to Grandpa for some more bait, then came back to my side of the river to continue fishing by himself.

My thoughts were about how awesome this was – Grandpa teaching his grandchildren to fish, by example. And not just for boys, as may have been thought historically. This boy and girl will be our future stewards of the Fox River! And probably just because Grandpa liked to fish, and thought they should too. We need more of this!

For the FREP meeting this September, we will hear from Sarah Voska on the need to engage younger folks in environmental/ecological professions, and in ecological restoration as volunteers or professionals. She will present ways to do this.

Please see her profile above, for more details on her background. This will be a little different than many of our FREP programs, but I think it is a very important topic. We need to diversify our “workforce” for ecological stewardship and restoration, and we need to inspire a next generation of folks like us to take up the mantle in our Fox River watershed. 

Please join us for this conversation at the Algonquin Public Works Facility on Wednesday, September 13. It will be great to visit this facility, new to FREP, and see the natural landscape surrounding the building. I look forward to seeing you all there.

News from the Fox River Study Group

Eyes will be on the Army Corps of Engineers September 5th who are expected to release for public comment their draft 519 Study of the central Fox River dams.

The Corps report will help document whether the dams have served their purpose and the costs and benefits of their removal outweigh the damage they cause to the river.

The Fox River Study Group is expected to release a commentary on the report September 6th. This release will be to help the public interpret the importance and meaning of the Corps' 519 draft within the context of future water quality in the Fox River Valley. Check their website after this date:

foxriverstudygroup.org

Find an activity for this special day and participate!

Visit: www.FOTFR.org

Scroll down for information about the new documentary Watershed Warriors.

Renewal Statements to current FREP members for 2023-24

were sent out in July.

We appreciate all of you who have responded, so far.

We are currently at 55% of last year's membership received.

Please help us make 100% or more!

Membership can be initiated or renewed online and dues paid via PayPal at: FREP Membership Form.

2023-24 Members are listed on our website's FREP Membership Roll (LINK)



Fox River Subwatershed News:

Indian Creek Watershed-based Plan

A final draft of the Indian Creek Watershed-based Plan and an executive summary were submitted to Illinois EPA in mid-August and are available for public review and comment. The documents are posted on FREP’s Indian Creek Watershed webpage (https://foxriverecosystem.org/fox/indian-creek) under the “Resources and Documents” section as well as on CMAP’s project engagement webpage (https://engage.cmap.illinois.gov/indian-creek-watershed-based-plan) under the “Project Documents” section. Comments can be submitted through the CMAP engagement website in the “Plan Review Forum” section or directly via email to Holly Hudson at CMAP (hhudson@cmap.illinois.gov). Comments are due by October 17, 2023.

The plan includes more than 100 site-specific best management practices (BMPs) identified by stakeholders, as well as a suite of watershed-wide BMP scenarios which account for common BMP types that could potentially be implemented throughout the Indian Creek watershed planning area but are not associated with a site-specific location at this time. BMP opportunities include a variety of urban, agricultural, and hydrologic practices such as permeable pavements, detention basin retrofits, infiltration trenches, rain gardens, vegetated swales, grassed waterways, streamside vegetated buffers, streambank stabilization, and wetland restoration. Additional watershed protection-related opportunities noted include education and outreach activities and products, local plan and ordinance updates, coordinated resource management planning, and water quality monitoring programs.

Many thanks are extended to all who participated in the planning process! Comments received from Illinois EPA and local stakeholders will be addressed, a complete front and back cover will be prepared, and a finalized plan and executive summary will be posted to both the FREP and CMAP websites. However, the process of putting all those great ideas identified in the plan into action can start away! 

If you have any questions about the project, comments on the final draft plan, or would like to discuss plan implementation ideas and opportunities, please contact Holly Hudson at CMAP: hhudson@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8700.

Photos by Holly Hudson. Above, sign at Tyler Creek Valley Subdivision in Elgin.

Below, sign at Fermilab in Batavia.

Curious about what you can do to help protect water quality and improve habitat around your own residence, property, or business? Think about native landscaping and rain gardens!

 The Conservation Foundation and the Greater Kane County Chapter of Wild Ones are two of the groups that can help get you started!

It's official -- The Fabulous Fox! Water Trail - is now a National Park Service Water Trail

After several years of dedication by the Core Development Team to make this possible, the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail has been designated a new recreational water trail by the National Park Service's National Trail System.

Please contact Karen Ann Miller for additional information, brochures and stickers.

If you would like more information or learn how to get involved, please contact

Karen Ann Miller at: millerkaren@co.kane.il.us.



Powerpoint presentation from April 12, 2023

7th Avenue Creek Project, St. Charles

Presenter: Logan Gilbertson, Lead Engineer, HR Green

The 11th Annual Fox River Summit was held

Thursday, March 16, 2023 at  

Veterans Terrace at Echo Park, Burlington, Wisconsin

The presentations are available on YouTube at THIS LINK

Mark your calendar for next year's Summit: Thursday, March 14, 2024

Video from February 8, 2023

A watershed approach to uncover suitable habitat for vulnerable mussel species in the Fox River Watershed in Wisconsin and Illinois

Presenter: Alison Stodola, Aquatic Biologist, Curator of Malacology, Illinois Natural History Survey Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois

Powerpoint presentations from January 11, 2023

Updates from our Watershed Partners

 Presenters: Friends of the Fox River, Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, The Fabulous Fox! Water Trail, The Conservation Foundation, Fox River Study Group.

You can be a Watershed Warrior

A newly released documentary called "Watershed Warriors," produced by RiversAreLife (RaL), offers an intimate look into the profound impact of FOTFR's mission of protecting, preserving, and restoring the Fox River watershed. Watershed Warriors embody the spirit of FOTFR. The film showcases the efforts of FOTFR President Gary Swick and FOTFR Education Operations Director Jenni Kempf, who both exemplify a commitment to the river's well-being.

The film highlights their journey as they tirelessly work to protect the Fox River and its watershed, making it a must-watch for all who share their passion. It's because of those who share their passion that participation in the event has grown every year. "It is exciting to see the growing and widespread support for It's Our Fox River Day," shared Gary Swick, President of Friends of the Fox River. "We extend an invitation to all who are passionate about the river to sign up and be a part of this extraordinary day of appreciation and stewardship."

FOTFR invites everyone to also experience RaL’s compelling Watershed Warriors film, which offers an illuminating perspective on the organization's mission. The film can be viewed at https://youtu.be/0GEAAvrEdzE.

Becky Hoag, Communications Manager

Fox River Ecosystem Partnership

630-482-9157 info@foxriverecosystem.org

Please email Becky if you have an email to add to our mailing list or content to add to the next monthly Downstream.