Friends of the Fox River (FOTFR) is the leader in providing watershed experiences for children. Since mid-April, FOTFR has delivered our services to over 2500 youth. The standard format is hosting students in their local streams to collect physical, chemical, and biological data. It is real science with a real purpose. But FOTFR meets residents … Read more
July 4th is a celebration of American independence from a monarchy and transition to a democratic system of governance. The words “We the People” give us the responsibility of not only choosing our leaders but also voicing our opinions and ideas. Friends of the Fox River works to be a voice for the Fox River … Read more
I thought the opening line of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Feeling Groovy (59th Street Bridge Song)” was an appropriate title for my contribution for this month’s “Reflections on the Fox” column. It’s been my motto in birding and fishing for a long, long time but even more so now that my mobility has been limited lately … Read more
This year’s Friends of the Fox River Canoe Raffle boat was generously donated by renowned canoe maker Ted Bell, a childhood friend of Friends of the Fox River Board Member, Chuck Roberts. Ted and Chuck grew up in Crawfordsville, IN, and Sugar Creek meandered through their small town. Chuck remembers that since it was a … Read more
Kermit said, “It’s not easy being green.” Indeed, it must be difficult to be a frog. Hatching from an egg underwater into a plump tadpole with tiny arms, no legs, and a wiggling tail probably is a welcome sight to a long list of potential predators. Then as with other amphibians they transform gills to … Read more
In 1969, an oil slick caught fire on the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio near my home. This was the 13th time that the river had become engulfed in flames. My mom and I marched in protest, although I don’t remember it and I didn’t really march because she was pushing me in a stroller. … Read more
The Fox River does not have a voice and relies on people and organizations, its watershed community of caretakers, to advocate on its behalf. A foamy situation On March 8, 2024 an electrical malfunction in the fire suppression system at Flint Group in Batavia, IL caused firefighting foam to be discharged outside the building. The … Read more
Spring is in full swing. Those spring ephemerals are in glorious bloom, and folks are getting more active with outdoor activities. Friends of the Fox River (FOTFR) just wrapped up the spring friend-raising and fundraising drive. Many Friends took the prompt to spring forward with their financial support and others to sign up to emerge … Read more
On Monday, April 8, 2024, I travelled approximately 260 miles to east central Indiana to view the first total solar eclipse I have seen. I had been looking forward to this event since the last eclipse in 2017 that occurred while I was working at the College of DuPage. I didn’t have the opportunity to … Read more
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 is a day I’ll remember for a long time! For on that day, I checked off one of the items I’ve aspired to on my personal birding bucket list: seeing and photographing a Whooping Crane! I had seen a Whooping Crane flying with a flock of Sandhills back in March of … Read more