Schweitzer Environmental Center

Gary Swick and Otter Creek Middle School

Finding Our Way in a Changing Landscape

By Gary Swick, FOFR President Returning to familiar but different landscapes is commonplace for life in the natural world. Most bird species migrate in the fall; their return in the spring is both an investment in what was there last fall and a gamble that what is needed for survival will still be accessible. The … Read more

Lilium bulb iferum flower top

Spring and Friends of the Fox River Are Ready to Bloom

By Gary Swick, FOFR President Spring emergence During a Midwestern winter, nature is not dead but merely conserving energy. It is challenging for humans experiencing frigid temperatures and deep snow cover to understand that soon signs of life will vigorously emerge from the roots of plants and the insect eggs lying in the soil. Likewise, … Read more

FOFR Ends Education Programs!

I love April Fool’s Day. It is a time to find some humor in the ordinary. With great respect to the very serious conditions we are experiencing, I hope you will excuse the opportunity to bring some light humor to an extraordinary time. April Fools! By Gary Swick, FOFR President The Need Since the beginning … Read more

making rain

Second Saturday Kickoff a Great Success!

By Brandon Combs and Jenni Schiavone Friends of the Fox River Second Saturday Outdoor Adventures is a new program initiative we’re starting this year. We hope this monthly program will engage young community members and their families in regular outdoor educational activities as we explore the Fox River’s watershed. We are proud to report that … Read more

How Are We Protecting the Fox River?

By Gary Swick, President “How is the river doing?” and “What’s new with Friends of the Fox River (FOFR)?” are the two most common questions that I hear related to the Fox River. In January, I will answer the first question during my State of the Fox River 2020 report at Schweitzer Environmental Center (SEC) … Read more

family on a woodland trail

Second Saturday Outdoor Family Adventure

You and your family are invited to join us on the 2nd Saturday of each month as we explore special places along the Fox River and throughout its watershed. Learn what a watershed is. See how the Fox River was formed, Visit the special natural areas that make the Fox River Valley an important ecosystem, … Read more

winter gear

Annual State of the Fox River Report

Friends of the Fox River’s President Gary Swick presents his annual “State of the Fox River” review of what’s going on with the Fox River currently, what’s happened since last year, and what’s planned for this year. “Last year we celebrated anniversaries, accomplishments, and activities with party horns. This year we will be putting on … Read more

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What’s Your Connection to Friends of the Fox River?

by Gary Swick We are all connected on many levels and in many ways; as family, community, culturally, professionally and as members of our watershed’s ecosystems. I’m going to suggest that you may also have a spiritual connection to the Friends of the Fox River. Genetic Connections The origin of our species, DNA, and Ancestry.com … Read more

Dams, Clams, and the Fox River

Please register at programs@kaneforest.com or call 630-444-3190 $20 per person Does our society have a moral obligation to return the Fox River to the health the first European settlers found when they arrived in the Fox River Valley? Professional Engineer and Friends of the Fox River Director, Art Malm provides a brief history of the Fox … Read more