General

Let’s Talk Turkey

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November is a month of change in the Fox River Valley.  The days grow shorter and colder, many of the migratory birds have left or are well into the process of leaving for warmer southern climes, and the growing season (and mosquito season!) have come to an end with the arrival of the Fall’s first … Read more

November is a Time for Memories and Giving

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Many of us in this region have fond memories of our childhood in November. For me, they include big piles of leaves in the yard seemingly created for jumping in, the smell of burning leaves, sitting under giant oak trees listening to the roar of the wind through the canopy, and kicking through knee deep … Read more

Featured Friend: Don Purn is the Bee’s Knees

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By Jenni Schiavone Meet Don Purn, our Featured Friend for this month. Don has spearheaded the Schweitzer Woods Bee Sanctuary, a large native pollinator garden at the Schweitzer Environmental Center, headquarters of the Friends of the Fox River.  He has devoted thousands of personal volunteer hours and funds to support it and the human structures … Read more

Look! Up in the Sky! It’s a Bird, it’s a Plane, it’s a…

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Sandhill Crane!  We’re now entering the time of year when the southbound migration of these magnificent birds is starting to get into full swing.  The distinctive, undulating trill of a call that resonates through the autumn skies signals the overflight of another flock of cranes heading toward their southern wintering grounds.  New Settlers in Our … Read more

There’s a Predatory Insect in the Fox Valley!

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by Tom Schrader September marks the end of both astronomical and meteorological summer and the beginning of fall here in the Northern Hemisphere.  The days get shorter, the nights get a little cooler, and in our fields and prairies of the Fox River Valley area, September also marks the beginning of the breeding season for … Read more

It’s Your River and It’s Your Party

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By Gary Swick, President Who doesn’t like to attend a party? We picked the date for you: Saturday, September 18th. You pick the venue, who is invited, and how to celebrate It’s Our Fox River Day. As conditions continue to change, please follow CDC guidance. Much to Celebrate The residents of the Fox River watershed … Read more

Friends of the Fox River at Summer Camp

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The valuable hands-on outdoor education experience Friends of the Fox River educators had a busy summer partnering with the Boys and Girls Club of Dundee Township for “Outdoor Explorers”, an outdoor education enrichment program as part of the agency’s summer camp.  FOTFR provided hundreds of learning experiences in the local environment: on school campuses, at … Read more

Friend Feature: Maureen and Larry Huey Go Native! 

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By Jenni Schiavone, Friends of the Fox River Lead Educator Batavia residents and Friends of the Fox River members Maureen and Larry Huey recently took a giant leap. These passionate and active environmentalists invested in the conversion of their entire Fox River waterfront property from mowed turf to native plants. Maureen and Larry’s inspiration came from … Read more