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 … Read more
“Our nation may be divided on a lot of issues, but one thing we can all agree upon is that clean water is a human right and a basic need. No matter who you are or where you live, we all need clean, safe, reliable drinking water. And most of our water comes from rivers.” … Read more
For 25 years, Friends of the Fox River (FOTFR) has relied upon a 15-passenger van for several facets of our operations. It has carried many students to participate in various events. It has been the workhorse for hauling equipment for restoration activities and has been essential for our canoe trips. Last year, the second-generation van … Read more
Human-generated chaos vibrates through our world every day now. It seems inescapable and crosses global stages and our neighborhoods. I even feel it in increasing grocery prices. Now it has become an escalating issue of humanity. How can we achieve some calm amidst these storms? Getting grounded may provide some helpful medicine. Underneath and Unseen … Read more
Often, we discover something that was a mainstream behavior that should be discontinued. This can be based upon research that drives legislation, like the banning of DDT that helped Bald Eagles recover from decline, and the reduction in CFC use and the recovery of the ozone layer. Sometimes it is also based upon a change in personal responsibility … Read more
Kayak Raffle The annual Canoe Raffle has again been a solid fundraiser for Friends of the Fox River (FOTFR). In the past, with generous donations, FOTFR has presented premier canoes for the benefit. Kayaks are clearly more popular than canoes these days, so this year we shifted to offer a pair of lightly-used kayaks. We … Read more
In our watershed, climatic seasons drive activity for plants and animals, including humans. Currently, the prairies are in their colorful glory, and the birds and restoration folks are out collecting seeds. In the woodlands, you can hear dropping nuts – possible future saplings but more often future means for the animals that store them. The … Read more
Ways to be a better Friend are numerous. Here are three that are time sensitive: Double Win – The kayak raffle winner will be drawn the evening of Thursday September 24th at Scorched Earth Brewery in Algonquin. Join us there, but you can’t win without a ticket. It’s a double win opportunity; your winning ticket gets you … Read more
Last month, I addressed how Friends of the Fox River (FOTFR) is reacting to the current crisis. It is challenging to remain calm with daily news reports of military actions escalating in the US and around the world and possibly in a nearby city. In addition, we live in economic turbulence and uncertainty resulting from … Read more
Friends of the Fox River (FOTFR) is just as the name implies, a group of like-minded people. It was founded to empower people to act in advocacy for the Fox River and it resources. We are a collaborative and each of us contributes as we are able. Our annual event No Clean Water No Good … Read more