I was hiking down the main trail to the Fox River observation platform in the Hoover Forest Preserve (one of my favorite outdoor activities) near Yorkville just a couple of weeks ago in early October when I heard several unfamiliar calls emanating from the crowns of some tall white oak trees about half-way from the … 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

I’ve always loved to come across a Green Heron when I’m on the river fishing or hiking in a riverside forest preserve.  These interesting herons are less frequent sights than their larger cousins, the Great Blue Heron and the Great Egret in our area.  These beautiful birds have been on the decline over the last … 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

My sister and l recently took a ride out to the site of the Little Rock Creek Bald Eagle nest that I have written about in this space previously.  While the eaglets had fledged a few weeks ago, I was hopeful that one or two of the juvenile eagles or their parents might be paying … Read more

Right now aquatic plants are thriving in our watershed! It is said that you can never step in the same river twice, since it is always flowing and thus changing. Weather conditions change with the seasons in temperate climates like ours. Plants and animals have developed their successful strategies to be in synch with the changes. Not blooming or … Read more

As I write this article in early July, I’m celebrating the beginning of a wonderful Independence Day weekend for our country, but also the emergence from the nest of a new-year-class of Bald Eagles. They are making their debut in the skies over the Fox River watershed!  I have been closely following the progress of … 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

Back in 2005, I wrote a column for the Friends of the Fox River’s newsletter entitled “How Green Is My River?” due to the incredible algae blooms that were going on that year.  For much of that year, the river was a vivid pea-soup green: not healthy for river life and not very aesthetically pleasing … Read more