When humans alter or try to improve natural systems, problems are likely. During the days of autumn, nature is preparing trees for winter by conserving chlorophyll and storing the green for use in the spring. Colorful leaves fall from branches and cover the ground. In nature, this serves to:~ Insulate roots from frigid temperatures~ Conserve … Read more
Halloween is a spooktacular time of the year filled with family, friends, food and fun! Did you know that you can have just as much fun, and maybe even more fun, while also creating less waste? Countless is the number of nature-friendly holiday activities that can be incorporated into your Halloween game plan. With a … Read more
Since last month’s Reflections on the Fox column, some very significant events have occurred in the skies over the Fox River Valley. First, on the evening of Thursday, October 10, another magnificent display of the aurora borealis occurred a little after 9 p.m. The aurora displays are a result of solar particles expelled in coronal … Read more
Friends of the Fox River (FOTFR) is dedicated to building a watershed community of caretakers. This goal involves educating the public and empowering them to advocate for the health of their community. One of our major challenges is that the Fox River Watershed spans 200 miles, crosses a state line, and includes 15 counties and … Read more
As the display of fall foliage approaches, it is a good time to enjoy the outdoors and be a Better Friend to the Fox River Watershed. Vote YES Voting YES on your county’s referendum will help pass action that will significantly improve natural resource management and opportunities to enjoy the benefits on public lands. Here … Read more
It’s Our Fox River Day 2024 demonstrated that protecting our local natural resources is important to many of us, regardless of our political, religious, or cultural affiliations. On November 5th, many Americans will head to the polls with strong connections to a certain political party and possibly with influence by their individual religious and/or cultural … Read more
In a time of dividing partisanship, what can bring people aligning with different political parties, religious beliefs, and cultures together? The answer is the Fox River; it unites us. Over 1 million people call the Fox River Watershed home. A third of those use it for drinking water, and 100 municipalities use it to dispose … Read more
… or A Face Only a Mother Could Love This month’s Reflections on the Fox topic literally kind of flew into my mind one day a couple of weeks ago when I visited the Fox River observation platform at the Hoover Forest Preserve in Yorkville. This spot is one of my favorites for viewing all … Read more
It’s time for the Carpentersville Dam’s retirement to be celebrated. It retired years ago when it no longer worked to move water into the race areas. The dam was constructed to provide mechanical power and later ice. They were very important jobs for local industrial development, but electricity and refrigeration have rendered them obsolete. The Carpentersville … Read more
Each of us has our own way of interacting with the Fox River – fishing, hiking, picnicking, boating, biking, and even swimming. My two favorite ways happen to be paddling and photographing. I’d like to share with you some of the reasons I enjoy those activities so much. First of all, why do I choose … Read more