The year 2023 had some surprises for Friends of the Fox River (FOTFR). FOTFR was very busy with a full calendar of fun including its standard activities of in-stream experiences for youth, lots of cleanups, and many events for building a watershed community of caretakers. Two unanticipated circumstances developed this past year, which were more … Read more
December’s holiday season brings friends, family, and others together to celebrate a joyful time of gathering, feasting, and sharing gifts. It is a time of kinship and community. We openly welcome each other into our spaces. We set aside differences and focus on our commonalities. A sense of community helps us thrive spiritually, and we … Read more
Culturally, we are entering a giving season. Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday, and religious holiday extravaganzas lie ahead. They are all performed with good intentions, as part of our traditional celebrations, and filled with gratitude. Our give-and-take exchanges are culturally oriented. Often the waste resulting from over-producing food, gift creation, and wrapping and decorations are problematic. In … Read more
Since the very beginning of the organization in 1991, Friends of the Fox River (FOTFR) has been advocating for dam removal. The mission of the Friends of the Fox River is to preserve, restore and protect the Fox River Watershed’s resources by connecting people with nature through education, research, restoration and advocacy. Restoring the health … Read more
The weather cooperated for a fantastic multi-faceted event. It’s Our Fox River Day (IOFRD) is a celebration of what the Fox River offers us every day in ecosystem and municipal services. Hundreds of folks joined in at over 50 different events to participate in their version of offering thanks to our Fox River. Thank You … Read more
Join us Saturday, September 16th for It’s Our Fox River Day! We will be celebrating 50 years of restoration and the resulting recovery. Organize and host your own event or participate in one that fits your interest. Giving Back It’s Our Fox River Day (IOFRD) is pronounced “I offered” – a day intended to be … Read more
I just returned from my annual faculty position at the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment. 300+ selected high school students convene for a week of personal and professional growth while exploring careers and understanding how environmental protection works. Students see that every day in Washington D.C., members of the public exercise our freedom to … Read more
What is a friend? Someone with whom you have a bond of mutual affection and support is a friend. As each party learns about each other, the relationship develops over time, which creates a feeling of respect that grows into affection. Such a relationship has give and take and tangible reasons for the camaraderie. Sustenance to Profit … Read more
River protection comes in the form of education, advocacy, research, and restoration. Friends of the Fox River (FOTFR) is the local leader and invests heavily in watershed education. Jenni Kempf is now the Director of Educational Program Operations. Since 2009, FOTFR has employed part- time educators to lead students in boots-on and in-stream explorations. The … Read more
The Fox, Local Legend Friends of the Fox River (FOTFR) is proud of our history of working to protect, maintain, and restore the Fox River Watershed. Our predecessor was the local (and internationally known), The FOX. The teacher-by-day, punisher-of-polluters-by-night character. He is often credited with educating the public through the media coverage of his capers … Read more
