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Wed., May 11, 2022
FREP Membership Meeting & Program 1 PM
Location: Geneva Public Library
227 S 7th St, Geneva, IL 60134
Program: Regional Climate Action Plan & Local Communities
Presenters: Edith Makra, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus; Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns; Batavia Alderwoman Abby Beck
Photos below, left to right: Edith Makra,
Mayor Burns, Abby Beck
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The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus developed the 2021 Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region (CAP) to empower local governments to respond to the climate crisis by working strategically and working together. From decarbonizing energy and transportation to sustaining landscapes that optimize ecosystem services and support biodiversity, the CAP emphasizes local leadership as integral in accelerating sustainable and equitable climate action. |
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The Global Covenant of Mayors and the European Union mentored the Mayors Caucus to undertake this pioneering regional plan. Now 33 local governments have formally supported the goals of the CAP and are working collaboratively to achieve them. This builds on a powerful network of 147 municipalities and 4 counties that have been working towards the consensus sustainability goals of the Greenest Region Compact since 2016.
Join us for a conversation about the Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region and the Greenest Region Compact and consider its impact at global, regional, and local level.
Alderwoman Beck will share the number of activities taking place in the City of Batavia.
Links to Metropolitan Mayors Caucus webpages for:
FREP Executive Committee will meet at 11 AM
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Wed., June 8, 2022
FREP Noon Network Noon to 1:30 PM
Location: Kane County Auditorium, First floor in Building A, 719 Batavia Ave, Geneva
Program: Online Kane County Drainage Mapping
Presenter: Rob Linke
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July 2022 FREP Annual Picnic
We have not set a date or place for this event. If you have a suggestion for a location that shows off our Fox Watershed, please email Becky at info@foxriverecosystem.org
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Last Friday was Earth Day 2022, an international observance that started in 1970. I hope you all were able to get outdoors and do something to commemorate Earth Day 2022. Tomorrow, Friday April 29th, is Arbor Day. Known as the tree planter’s holiday, Arbor Day is a day for people to come together in recognition of the wonders of trees. Communities, schools, businesses, and individuals alike join together to plant commemorative trees, hand out free trees, provide education on tree planting and care, and celebrate all the benefits trees provide. This year is the 50th Arbor Day. Consider planting a native tree or two. Arbor Day Foundation website link
World Migratory Bird Day is officially celebrated on the second Saturday in May (May 14th in 2022) as migratory birds journey to nesting sites and on the second Saturday in October (October 8th in 2022) as they return to wintering areas. Throughout the world, WMBD programs and events are hosted nearly every month of the year. In our watershed, World Migratory Bird Day celebrations will be held on April 30, May 1 and May 14 with activities at Lost Valley Visitor Center, Volo Bog State Natural Area, and Turner Tract of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge (see https://hackmatacknwr.org/ for more info).
The theme of this year's World Migratory Bird Days is Dim the Lights for Birds at Night. Light pollution is a significant threat to migratory birds, causing disorientation when they fly at night, leading to collisions with buildings, perturbing their internal clocks, or interfering with their ability to undertake long-distance migrations. Solutions to light pollution are readily available. Learn more about night migration and what you can do to help make birds' travels more safe.
Lots to celebrate, and lots to do. These observances are all ways to remind us of the actions we all need to take to combat climate change, avert mass extinctions, and be good stewards of the natural resources that sustain us all.
Jeff Mengler
FREP President
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We truly appreciate your support and are grateful to all who have sent in their dues for 2021-22. If you aren't on our website's FREP Membership Roll (LINK) we hope you will respond by renewing your membership or joining FREP.
Statements for renewal for 2022-23 will be sent out to current members in June.
Membership can be initiated or renewed online and dues paid via PayPal at:
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Early-bird dues special. If you join FREP starting April 1st,
it will count for your 2022-23 membership.
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The Core Development Team (CDT) met virtually on Tues. April 12th. Thanks to a donation from one of our members, Sigrid Pilgrim, the CDT decided to join the River Management Society. The Team is looking for funding to complete our application to the National Park Service National Water Trails System. Funders will help pay for access site signage. Speaking of signage. The CDT is on its way to finalizing signage for the access sites, designed by Matt Kania of Map Hero. Mark VanKerkhoff, Director of the Kane County Development and Community Services Dept. has offered to pay for printing of brochures for the 2022 paddling season. Any local governments or organizations that would like brochures for distribution please contact Illinois Co-Chair, Karen Ann Miller.
Kane County is in the process of interviewing consultants to develop a marketing plan for the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail in Kane County. Earlier this month Karen Miller attended an Outdoor Economy Conference in Cherokee, North Carolina where she learned helpful information regarding how outdoor recreation benefits the economic development of an area. She also represented the FF!WT at the McHenry County Conservation Congress.
Karen also learned about the U. S. Coast Guard’s “If Found Contact” program which provides stickers to place on your canoe or kayak. This sticker can save the Coast Guard up to $40,000 in search fees if they can determine no occupants were on the boat at the time it wandered from shore. Anyone owning a canoe or kayak who would like a sticker please contact Karen Ann Miller.
The next CDT meeting is scheduled for Tues. May 10th at 1:00 PM.
If you would like more information or learn how to get involved, please contact
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Fox River Subwatershed News |
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Indian Creek
Watershed-based Planning
Update for March 31, 2022
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The final sections of the watershed resource inventory (WRI) are nearing completion. The stream physical conditions data is being mapped, the stormwater detention basin assessment field observations are being tabulated, and the pollutant load estimates for current and future projected land uses are being finalized. An interim final WRI was submitted to Illinois EPA at the end of March, with the final WRI due by mid-May.
Also in development is the watershed-based action plan which aims to identify potential water quality-based on-the-ground projects, public education and outreach activities, and planning and policy recommendations. Such projects identified in an Illinois EPA-approved watershed-based plan become eligible for federal grant assistance (e.g., Clean Water Act Section 319h Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program grants). Opportunities for local and state funding and technical assistance (e.g., Illinois EPA’s Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities program, CMAP’s Local Technical Assistance program) are enhanced as well. Keep an eye on this space and through special announcements for information about participating in the public engagement opportunities and sharing your knowledge and vision for the Indian Creek watershed!
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Above: A view from Indian Creek looking downstream toward the Fox River Trail bridge in Aurora.
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Video of April 13, 2022 FREP Noon Network
Program: COP26 - What was accomplished? A local perspective
Presenter: Gary Cuneen of Seven Generations Ahead
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Video of our February 9th program
Legislative Update with Jack Darin, Chapter Director, Sierra Club of Illinois
Eliot Clay, State Programs Director, Illinois Environmental Council
Thank you Jack & Eliot!
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Video of our January 12th program
Local Government’s Approach to Meeting the Evolving Stormwater Requirements in the State’s NPDES / MS4 Program
Panelists:
Rob Linke, P.E., Kane County Dept of Environmental & Water Resources;
Scott Kuykendall,LEED AP BD+C, McHenry County Water Resources,
Mark Phipps, P.E. City of Aurora Public Works Department
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November 10, 2021 FREP Presentation by Art Malm:
Freeing Our Fox! - a discussion of dams on the Fox River in Illinois
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Join in these fun upcoming
special events and cleanups!
Dundee Township Litter Cleanup and Tree Planting
Annual Barrington Area Kidsfest
Monitor With Your Mother
for Mother's Day
Representative Anna Moeller's
Annual Elgin Cleanup
City of Batavia
Fox River Cleanup
For more information visit their website HERE
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Read Prairie Rivers Network's Spring Newsletter HERE
Feature article -
Clean Water Act at 50
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The Fox River Study Group's 2021 Annual Report is available at this LINK
FRSG announces the securing of $250,000 in funding for the Army Corps of Engineers to complete their Fox River Connectivity and Habitat Section 519 Illinois River Basin Ecosystem Restoration Program Feasibility Study. In November 2021 the FRSG entered into an agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources under which the FRSG will supply the local cost-share funds to complete this important study.
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Community Recycling Information |
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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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