News

Volunteers Needed for Water Willow Plantings

Friends of the Fox River and the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance will be hosting a water willow planting at the former South Batavia Dam on August 13th at 8am (water levels permitting). Water willows are native plants that grow in the water and on mud flats in the Fox River. Water willows provide critical habitat for fish, help stabilize sediments, and help filter pollutants. 15-20 volunteers are needed.

Please contact Geoff Petzel (Friends of the Fox River) at 847-770-1176 or John Loebach (Illinois Smallmouth Alliance) at 630-251-5904

1st Annual Native Plant Sale

Friends of the Fox River will be hosting our 1st Annual Native Plant Sale at our new headquarters in West Dundee on May 7th 2011 from 9am-2pm. Our headquarters is located at 16n690 Sleepy Hollow Road located between Route 72 and Huntley Road (signs at each intersection- follow the signs).  

 2011 Catalog 

 

 Order Form

Kane County Says No Gravel Mining at Brunner Farm

02/10/2011

Kane County Forest Preserve District President John Hoescheit sent a letter today to Dundee Township Supervisor Sue Harney to confirm that there is no support for a gravel mining proposal on the 740 acre Brunner Forest Preserve. The Brunner Farm was acquired by the Forest Preserve District in 2009 for $43 million. It is the largest single acquisition in the district's history. The Brunner Farm preserves over 2 miles of contiguous riverfront, beautiful wooded bluffs, and a rich fen/seep complex. 

 President Hoescheit stated that he does not support the proposal to mine gravel and the district's commissioners from Dundee Township do not support the proposal either. He also stated that the district will begin a master planning process for the site later this year and the public will be invited to discuss the site improvement plan for the Brunner Forest Preserve.

See John Hoescheit's letter here

Fishing for Information with Electrofishing

The Fox River Watershed is in a 5 year rotation for a Basin Survey that is conducted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The last survey was in the summer of 2007. IDNR staff are usually assisted by IEPA, local agencies, and a few fortunate volunteers. Surveys are a comprehensive, systematic examination of the biological status of both the mainstem and tributaries in the watershed. Fish & mussel populations are sampled, and water quality data is recorded at several sites along the Fox River and its tributaries.

Read more: Fishing for Information with Electrofishing