June 17, 2009

For Immediate Release

The Friends of the Fox River announces:

Water Willow Planting on the Fox River

Saturday, July 11th 2009

8:00 am- 11:00 am

River Street downstream of the Montgomery (IL) Dam

Friends of the Fox River and the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance are once again joining forces to plant water willow along the banks of the Fox River.

On Saturday, July 11th at 8:00am we will meet in the park roughly 200 yards downstream of the Montgomery (IL) Dam on the west (River Street) side of the river. Approximately 1,000 water willow plants will be planted at the event.

 

Bob Rung, Streams Biologist from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, will do a brief presentation about the benefits of water willow to the Fox River ecosystem and will demonstrate correct planting techniques for the volunteers who come out to help.

Those interested in volunteering should bring waterproof boots and sturdy work gloves. While some volunteers will be getting in the river very near shore to do the actual planting, people who don’t want to get into the water are also welcome to volunteer for shore-bound duties. Friends of the Fox River is providing the tools used in the planting. Our planting events typically last between 2.5 and 3 hours.

For more information, please call Brandon Zaleiski at 773.458.3407. Also, check the Friends of the Fox River website at www.friendsofthefoxriver.org

For current information. With this spring’s high water, postponement of the event may be necessary. An announcement will be posted on the Friends of the Fox River website by Friday evening, July 10th either confirming that the planting will take place as scheduled or providing details regarding an alternate planting date.

Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and we’ll see you there!

Friends of the Fox River’s mission is "... to preserve, restore and protect the Fox River Watershed's resources by connecting people with nature through education, research, restoration and advocacy." For more information on Friends of the Fox River visit www.friendsofthefoxriver.org