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FREP programs are free, open to the public
Reservations are not required, unless so stated
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Wed., April 12, 2023 FREP Noon Network Noon- 1:30 PM
Location: Meet at St Charles Public Works Training Room, 1405 S. 7th Ave.
Then walk to site.
Program: 7th Avenue Creek Project, St. Charles
Presenters: Ken Jay & Chris Gottlieb (City of St Charles)
and Logan Gilbertson (HR Green)
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7th Avenue Creek has a history of flooding conditions, which have damaged homes and overtopped roadways, creating hazardous conditions and road closures. After several years of developing plans, obtaining grant funding, removing flood prone homes from along the creek, and finally designing and permitting improvement plans, the City completed our first significant construction project in 2021, which stretches from Washington Avenue at the southern limit to S. 10th Avenue at the northeastern limit. The project restored a natural meandering creek, stabilized streambanks, upsized culverts underneath Illinois, Indiana and South Avenues, removed a portion of S. 9th Avenue between E. Main Street and Illinois Avenue, and added a walking path along the creek between S. 10th Avenue and Indiana Avenue.
See https://www.stcharlesil.gov/projects/7th-avenue-creek-project for more info.
Photos by Jeff Mengler
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The 11th Annual Fox River Summit was held
Thursday, March 16, 2023 at
Veterans Terrace at Echo Park, Burlington, Wisconsin
Thanks to all who participated.
The presentations are available on YouTube at THIS LINK
Mark your calendar for next year's Summit: Thursday, March 14, 2024
To see our photos and posts from the 11th Summit visit
FREP's Facebook Page
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UPCOMING FREP ACTIVITIES: | |
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Wed., May 10, 2023 FREP Membership Meeting & Program 1 PM
Location: South Point Facility, Oswegoland Park District, 810 Preston Lane, Oswego, IL
Please enter at rear of building, Door #5 or #15, as there is a school in the
other part of the building
Program:
Alien attack! Studying the impacts of invasive species on local waterways
Presenter: Dr. Jen Koop, NIU, and her students
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Invasive species are one of today's greatest threats to global biodiversity. Understanding the process of invasion and predicting the impacts on native ecosystems when the invaders are also parasites has proven to be particularly challenging. Yet, with over half of all species on Earth likely being parasitic, the need to understand how parasitism adds to the dynamic of invasion is extremely important.
Dr, Koop will discuss the research going on in her lab at Northern Illinois University that focuses on an invasive snail-trematode-waterfowl system right here in the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi River regions. We use this system to understand the ecological and evolutionary processes that may facilitate invasions of parasites with multi-host life cycles. She'll talk about the kinds of questions we ask, the tools we use to answer those questions, and how they hope their research can be applied in a management and conservation context.
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Wed., June 14, 2023 FREP Noon Network Noon- 1:30 PM
Location: Brewster Creek Forest Preserve (formerly Camp Tu Endie Wei)
Program: Brewster Creek Dam Removal Project
Presenters: Jeff Mengler, Nancy Williamson, others
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Wed., July 12, 2023 FREP Annual Picnic 3 PM
Location: Pingree Grove Forest Preserve
Program: Habitat & Hydrologic Restoration at Pingree Grove FP
Presenters: Jeff Mengler, others
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President's Message from Jeff | | |
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Where were you in April of 1970? For those that are old enough, what do you remember about the air and water pollution at that time? Every year on April 22, Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. EarthDay.org has a wonderful history of how Earth Day came into being, and how it has evolved and grown over the decades. We’ve made a lot of progress – rivers don’t catch fire, the air doesn’t usually stink, and we have a wide range of environmental protection laws and agencies to enforce them. But alas, we’ve still got a long way to go, and now we understand the global climate crisis we face – something not known to the public in 1970.
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This year marks the 53rd anniversary of Earth Day. According to EarthDay.org, since 1970, billions of individuals from more than 190 countries worldwide have come together every April 22nd to take action towards a greener, more equitable future for our planet. As the countdown to Earth Day 2023 continues, it is important to remember regardless of where you are or what you do, you have the power to yield real change and be a champion for Earth. To protect our planet, we must invest in it – the theme for this year’s Earth Day.
Look around for the myriad ways you can invest in the planet here in the Fox River watershed. Plant a native pollinator garden. Reduce your consumption of single-use plastics. Engage in a clean-up – every spring I see a remarkable amount of plastic bags in the trees and brush. Always conserve water and energy – and remember water usage equals energy usage because of the energy needed to treat and pump the water. Be an advocate for our river and our watershed. Strive toward being waste free at home, and at events you are involved with. None of us are perfect in our environmentalism, but if we’re all striving to do more and do what we can – we’ll make a difference.
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Jeff Mengler
FREP President
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The Core Development Team for the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail (FF!WT) was excited to learn from National Park Service (NPS) staff that our application for designation into the National Water Trails System has been forwarded as a nomination to the Secretary of the Interior, Debra Haaland, after passing staff’s cursory and in-depth reviews. | |
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At this time, LaSalle County, Illinois does not meet the criteria of the NPS because of lack of public access, so the potentially designated portion of the FF!WT includes from the headwaters in Waukesha County, Wisconsin to the southern border of Kendall County, Illinois. The Team anticipates a decision by Secretary Haaland regarding designation on or before June 3rd.
A requirement by NPS staff, is that all access site signage be installed by May 1st. The Team has been working with landowners to produce and install the signage designed by the Team and approved by the NPS.The Kane County Development Department graciously offered to contract with the Kane Division of Transportation to produce the signs for the 27 access sites in Kane County. Karen Miller, Illinois Co-Chair of the FF!WT and Executive Planner for the Kane County Development Department, is currently delivering those signs to the landowners for installation. In the coming weeks look for signage at each of the over 70 access sites along the Fox River and plan a paddling trip using the information included on the FF!WT website! Also, brochures and stickers are available! Contact Karen Miller to request those.
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If you would like more information or learn how to get involved, please contact
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The film we co-sponsored with our Fox Watershed Partners on March 9th is available to watch if you missed it. You can also watch a recording of the post discussion.
Watch Party Recording
Join Curiosity Stream to watch the film
Our FREP website film page with info about this film, links, and the other 6 films we've co-sponsored in past years with the One Earth Film Festival CLICK HERE
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FREP Membership - FY 2023-24 begins 7/1/23 | |
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Thank you to all who responded to our campaign for 2022-23
Did you renew? Early-bird membership -- join or renew NOW and it will count toward our FY 2023-24 Membership Year.
Check our Membership Roll at the link below.
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Flint Creek/Spring Creek Watershed Conference
April 20, 2023 8:30 AM - 1 PM
Barrington's White House, 145 W. Main St.
FREE Registration
TOPIC: Funding Sources for Restoration, Drainage, and Water Quality Projects
Register by April 14 LINK
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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
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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.
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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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Illinois EPA 2023 Virtual Harmful Cyanobacteria Bloom (HCB)
Webinar Workshop
Thursday, April 6, 2023 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Wednesday, April 12, 2023 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
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The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Surface Water Section invites you to attend a virtual Harmful Cyanobacteria Bloom (HCB) workshop featuring Dr. Ann St. Amand, a leading authority on algae ecology and taxonomy. In this workshop, Dr. St. Amand will introduce algae, discuss cyanobacteria bloom characteristics and toxins they produce, and demonstrate proper sample collection using the Rapid HAB Kit for cyanobacteria species identification and enumeration by PhycoTech, Inc. The Illinois EPA will provide information on how to report and respond to a potential cyanobacteria bloom and explain Illinois EPA’s response process.
Both workshops will cover the same material.
Registration is required. There is no registration fee to attend these free workshops.
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Register for 4/6/23 HERE Register for 4/12/23 HERE | |
Community Recycling Information | | | |
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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.
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