2025 began with concern over federal-level assaults on environmental protections. Although those assaults have resulted in program funding and staffing cuts, we have worked locally to stay positive and productive. If you read my last article on 12/3, you may recall that I reported that Friends of the Fox River (FOTFR) maintained all our regular programs and services while adding some very significant achievements.
Guests at our board meetings consistently comment, “How do you do all that?” Well, we have a small but mighty and talented staff, a dedicated and working board, and a lot of Friends like you. Thank you for all the ways that you have been a Friend in 2025. Thank you for your support of FOTFR, as a reader of the Watershed Weekly, a follower on social media, website visitor, event participant, financial supporter, spiritual supporter, and/or conveyor of our mission in your personal choices; we value you as a Friend. It is our Friend collective that helps to make it all happen.
Ready to Ride with Us?
2025 was a record year for FOTFR financially. We began the year after a record-setting end of the year campaign. We enjoyed several unsolicited gifts throughout the year, including a van makeover and a bequest. We are grateful for the year-end generosity that we received in the final days of 2025. In addition to several larger than normal donations, this year we also realized an upsurge in new donors. This is an example of what we mean when we say that “we meet you where you are.” In 2026, we plan to better engage our Friends through increased opportunities for participation. We have lots of exciting events coming in 2026. There is still time to get your FOTFR calendar to enter the date reminders. Order your calendar now!
First Action of 2026
Our first action in 2026, was immediately mobilizing a public comment campaign to address a proposed deregulation of the Clean Water Act. The “Dirty Water Rule” seeks to redefine the Waters of the United States (WOTUS). This would eliminate protection to 70% of wetlands and place responsibility upon states for that protection. Our campaign included a sign-on letter that gathered over 180 endorsements, a fill-in your info letter tool, and we co-sponsored a writing workshop with the Illinois Clean Water Team at the Illinois Sierra Club. It was an exceptional workshop that provided resources but also lively discussion.
Ready to Rally?
FOTFR began as an advocacy group and has become the leader in providing local watershed education experiences. Educating youth has proved to be a successful advocacy approach. In 2026, we plan to return to our advocacy roots. As the sole organization with the entire watershed as our focus, we have a lot of work to do. Are you ready to rally?
State of the Fox
Next up will be Gary Swick’s State of the Fox address on Sunday 1/11 at the Schweitzer Environmental Center (SEC) at 12:30pm. The address is entitled “Planet, Politics, and People.” Our fate is determined by those factors. You can learn more and register (It usually sells out) here:
Wanted: Volunteers
Speaking of SEC; have you seen our new look? We will be hosting a volunteer orientation in early February for prospective staff. There are many opportunities to help make the SEC and its grounds the “place to be” that we envisioned when we saved it 15 years ago. We are also looking to add to our education team, committees, and board. Contact us at 815-356- 6654 or info@fotfr.org to begin to discuss upgrading your Friend status.
What is your Fox River Story?
From an early age, I was drawn to water. As soon as I was allowed to leave our yard alone to explore the adjacent county forest preserve, I played in the woodland but especially loved the creek. Was my river connection environmental? My father’s family summered on the bank of the Delaware River and his grandfather was a commercial fly fisherman. Is my river attraction hereditary? Whichever it is or both, I have it. As camp counselor, At a camp job I volunteered to be the canoe instructor with barely any actual experience. We ran weekly overnight river trips. I later stepped into a very challenging position as a whitewater/scenic raft guide for 18 summers in Wyoming. For the past 50 years, I have found my place here in the Fox River Watershed, first as an educator and now also as an advocate. How about you? What is your story relative to the watershed? I would like to know it.
If FOTFR is going to meet you where you are, we need to know where that is. Join us at event or just request a chat. Let’s connect and ride the wave together.