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Thursday, October 6, 2011
Greetings
from FREP! |
| Please visit our
Website
for additional information and updates on activities shared in
this newsletter |
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| FREP ACTIVITIES |
| FREP Noon Network |
Wednesday, October 19, 2011 Noon -
1:30 PM
Program:
Focus on Ferson-Otter Creek at Watershed at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, St. Charles
Presenter:
Ken Anderson, Manager, Kane County Subdivision & Special Projects
Division
Location:
Meet at the LeRoy Oakes picnic shelter #1,
37W370 Dean St. St. Charles, IL
MAP
If it is pouring rain, we will meet at Kane-DuPage Soil
& Water Conservation District
Office at 2315 Dean St., St. Charles.
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This project represents Phase I of multi-phased
program to create uninterrupted fish passage throughout
44 miles of stream habitat in the Ferson-Creek
watershed. Our primary objective for Phase I is to
remove the impassable dam at Creek Bend Forest Preserve
and to modify one low-water barrier located downstream
of Creek Bend, in order to open 6.3 miles of lower
Ferson-Otter Creek to the Fox River. Completion of
Phase I will allow us to use these projects as models
for low cost stream restoration, and to give examples to
present to other private landowners in order to foster
cooperation for the watershed wide approach. Phase one
will also include evaluation of the fish community
response.
Co-hosted by the Ferson-Otter Creek Watershed
Planning Group
Wear comfortable walking shoes for a hiking tour of the
area.
Noon Networks are free and
open to the public. Reservations are not
required.
Bring your lunch to eat during the program.
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Our Annual: Conversations About Conservation With Our
Legislators
Summary of our September 23rd event |
Twenty-one people gathered to hear Representative Kay
Hatcher and Senator Sue Rezin remark on the state of
affairs in Illinois and more specifically about
environmental issues. The Legislator’s provided their
thoughts and status updates on proposed bills and more
importantly provided insight on how the legislative
process works.
Representative Hatcher provided insight into several
proposed bills that FREP had specifically asked her
about before the event. HB3372 Promote Green Stormwater
Infrastructure does not have a senate sponsor at this
time therefore will not move forward until there is a
sponsor. SB38 Rainwater Harvesting is sitting in the
executive committee of the House and was passed
unanimously in the Senate. SB1617 Perchloroethylene ban
for drycleaners is in the House Rules Committee. HB6099
Phosphorous in Fertilizer was passed with a lot of
debate and has become law. There are not any updates on
if this law will be challenged or not.
Jack Darin, Executive Director of the Illinois Chapter
of the Sierra Club, provided an update on the main
issues the Sierra Club is actively working on: Clean
Energy, Wild Illinois (habitat), and Clean Water. Jack
suggested local agencies help educate everyone on the
phosphorous fertilizer restrictions. The Department of
Agriculture is responsible for education and enforcement
of this law; however, they could use assistance with
education and outreach.
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| Joining us
for Conversations About Conservation
With Our Legislators 2012 was, left to
right, Jack Darin, Executive Directof of
the Illinois Chapter of Sierra Club;
State Representative Kay Hatcher (50th
Dist.); and State Senator Sue Rezin
(38th Dist.) |
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Senator Rezin noted that fees collected for specific
purposes are subject to sweeps to the general fund if
the general fund needs more money. That is the reason
why the legislators do not always support fees that
should help a specific department (i.e. hunting license
fee increase to help support IDNR budget) because there
is no guarantee that these funds would be used for that
purpose.
The day ended with great networking and everyone
inspired to make sure their legislators know what is
important when deciding how to vote on proposed bills.
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Are you interested
in participating in our Government Relations Committee and learning more about current environmental legislation?
Please contact Katie Parkhurst
at 847-658-4184 or
katieparkhurst@algonquin.org. |
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| FREP Membership Meeting |
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 1 PM
Program:
Updates on the Watershed Planning for Blackberry,
Ferson-Otter, Silver, Sleepy Hollow, and Jelkes Creeks
Presenter:
Tim
Loftus, CMAP, and other staff and planning coordinators
Location:
Kane County Government Center,
Building A, 4th Floor Conference Room
719 Batavia Avenue, Geneva, IL 60134
MAP
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New Invasives Workshop |
We had a great turnout of over 35 people at our New Invasives
Workshop on September 21, presented by Cathy McGlynn,
Coordinator, Northeast Illinois Invasive Plant Partnership
Our thanks to St. Charles Park District staff for all of their
help with hosting the workshop.
Welcome to the new Downstream
readers who have been added from our sign-up list at the
workshop!
Cathy is available to present additional workshops. If you have
another organzation/group that would like to host a workshop,
please contact Cathy directly at:
Cathy McGlynn, Coordinator Northeast Illinois Invasive Plant
Partnership
c/o Chicago Botanic Garden 1000 Lake Cook Road | Glencoe, IL
60022 847-242-6423
Website |
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Upcoming Meeting Activites involving a new Illinois EPA 319 Fox
Watershed Grant Package for FY13 |
FREP is planning to organize the submission of a package of
grants to EPA 319 Grant Program for FY13.
An informational program will be presented at our Feburary 15,
2012 FREP Noon Network. Watch for details in our next
issue of Downstream, or visit our
319 Grants Webpage and watch for updates. |
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FREP members, potential members, and the general public
are welcome to attend the FREP Noon Networks and meetings and programs.
Learn more
about activities in the watershed and network with others.
FREP Meeting Minutes can be found
HERE. |
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| Program
Presentations Online: Many past Noon
Network and meeting program presentations can be found in pdf form on the FREP Website
HERE. |
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FREP's Annual Membership Drive |
FREP is currently conducting its annual membership drive and
collecting annual dues to help support the activities of the
Partnership. Dues statements have been sent to exisiting
members.
If you did not receive a statement in the mail, and/or are new
to FREP membership, please visit our members' page for more
information:
FREP Members Page
NEW this year: Pay your FREP
Membership Dues online via PayPal.
Start with the Online Membership Form
HERE,
and after completing the form, you will be taken to the PayPal
payment link.
Also new this year, we will be posting our renewing and new
members on the
FREP Membership Honor Roll on our Website.
Note: Some of you are
requiring a W9 from FREP to make your payment. Please email
Becky Hoag at
foxriverinfo@comcast.net
if you need to be sent one.
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| Fox River Guide & Website |
The Citizen's Guide to
Preserving the Fox River is
now available at more than 100 distribution points along
the Fox River and in the watershed.
CLICK HERE to find out where you can pick
up your FREE copy.
You can also read the online version of The Citizen's Guide
on the website
HERE.
The companion website
preservethefox.org contains many pages
of information to help you learn about what people can do in
their homes and communities to help preserve and protect the beautiful
Fox.
This new publication was produced by
The Conservation Foundation and the Fox River Ecosystem
Partnership.
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| Watershed Planning |
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The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for
Planning (CMAP) is the delegated authority for the region’s
areawide water quality management plan.
CMAP has an agreement with the Illinois Environmental Protection
Agency (IEPA) to complete four watershed-based plans within the
Fox River Basin. Watershed planning commenced Sept. 2010 in Blackberry Creek
and Ferson-Otter Creek watersheds (Lower Fox River, Kane and
Kendall counties) and in Sleepy Hollow Creek and Silver Creek
watersheds (Upper Fox River, McHenry County). Funding for these
projects was provided by the IEPA through Section 604(b) of the
Clean Water Act (CWA).
Read more about the project and information about each of the
four watersheds
HERE. |
| Watershed Planning Meeting Schedule:
Meetings are open to
the public, anyone interested is welcome to attend and participate. |
Blackberry Creek
Watershed Meeting
Tuesday, October 18, 2-4 PM
Aurora Public Library - West Branch
233 S. Constitution Ave., Aurora 60506
Contact Tara Neff:
630-428-4500, Ext. 23
tneff@theconservationfoundation.org
Webpage
Ferson-Otter Creek Watershed Meeting
Tuesday, October 25, 2-4
PM
Kane County Farm Bureau
2N710 Randall Road St. Charles, IL 60174
Contact Tara Neff:
630-428-4500, Ext. 23
tneff@theconservationfoundation.org
Webpage
Silver Creek & Sleepy Hollow Creek Watersheds Meeting
Wednesday, October 19, 1:30-3:30 PM
Algonquin Township Office, 3702 U.S. Highway 14,
Crystal Lake
MAP
Meeting participants will review and comment on the draft
watershed action plan chapters.
If you are interested in learning more about current efforts to
establish an ongoing community participation group to support
plan implementation and continue watershed planning efforts,
please Contact Lynn Rotunno at:
watershedinfo@mcdefenders.net or 815-338-0393.
Webpage
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| Additional Watershed Planning Groups |
There are other active watershed groups
involved with planning and implementation activities. Visit our
Subwatersheds page for more information or these specific
Websites/Webpages:
Tyler Creek Watershed
Jelkes Creek Watershed Meeting,
Thursday, October 27, 7-9 PM,
Otto Engineering, Large Conference Room, 10 W. Main St.
Carpentersville IL
Spring Creek has also begun the planning process. Contact info
is on our
Subwatersheds page |
| EPA Website that
should be helpful to all the planners:
Healthy Watersheds |
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| Other Activities & News of Interest |
| If you have an
activity or event you'd like FREP to share on
our Website or in the Downstream, please email
the information to Becky at:
foxriverinfo@comcast.net |
Thursday
October 13
8 AM to 12:30 PM |
Natural Lawn Care
and Sustainable Landscapes Workshop
College of Lake County, Grayslake
Campus, Room C005
19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, IL
In partnership with
CMAP, the Lawn to Lake program will
convene a half-day workshop for
landscape companies, turf managers,
homeowner associations, and
municipalities.
The workshop will include sessions on
Introduction to Natural Lawn Care,
Implementing a Natural Lawn Care
Program, What to Look for in Contracts,
Greening Your Ordinances, and Creating a
Rain-Friendly Landscape. Cost: $25.
Click for registration details about the
workshop. or visit the
Website |
Wednesday
October 19
11:30 AM to 2 PM |
The Conservation
Foundation Fall Membership Luncheon
Program:
Asian Carp Invasion: What Does Science Tell Us?
Philip Willink, PhD, The Field Museum
Le Jardin Restaurant at Cantigny, 1S151
Winfield Rd. Wheaton,
Fee
Brochure |
Thursday
October 20, 7 PM |
Learn About Native
Landscaping and Water Conservation in
Aurora
Customer Service Center, 3770 McCoy Dr.,
Aurora
The Conservation Foundation’s Jim
Kleinwachter presents on the benefits of
native landscaping and water
conservation for homes and businesses.
In partnership with the City of Aurora,
this free presentation includes
information about what species of native
plants thrive in residential and
developed areas, their benefits over
traditional landscaping, water
conservation strategies such as rain
barrels and rainwater harvesting, and a
review of city ordinances related to the
above.
RSVP not required but appreciated. To
register for this free workshop, email
kzilly@aurora-il.org or call
(630) 256-3323. |
Friday, October 21
7 PM |
Northern Kane
County Wild Ones presents an Evening
with Doug Tallmy
Author of Bringing Home Nature
Elgin Academy Rider Center, 350 Park
Street, Elgin
Website |
Friday, Oct. 21, 7
PM
Saturday, Oct. 22, 1 PM |
Film Screening of
Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land
Ethic for Our Time
Bartlett Nature Center
2054 W Stearns Road in James "Pate"
Philip State Park, Bartlett
A 72 minute film production of the Aldo
Leopold Foundation, the US Forest
Service and the Center for Humans and
Nature. The film shares highlights from
Leopold's life and extraordinary career,
explaining how he shaped conservation in
the twentieth century and still inspires
people today.
Fee
Weblink
Co-sponsored by The Conservation
Foundation |
Saturday, October
29
9 AM - 3:30 PM |
Hoffman Estates
Environmental Commission's 10th Annual
Environmental Fair
Hoffman Estates Village Hall, 1300
Hassell Road, Hoffman Estates, IL
Open to the Public |
Saturday
November 5 |
4th Annual
Bioneers Conference and Green Living
Expo
McHenry Community College
Theme: “Journey to a Greener Tomorrow”
Keynote Speaker: Bill Wilson,
Director of Midwest Permaculture
Last year's conference provided an
opportunity to share information,
develop networks, and learn about new
and innovative discoveries and
technologies. Approximately 200 people
attended, and an additional 300 people
walked through the Expo.
There is a current
call for exhibitors.
Details at website:
mcbioneers.com |
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Funding Opportunities |
Illinois
Biodiversity Field Trip Grant Program
Application deadline: January 31, 2012
The Illinois
Biodiversity Field Trip Grant Program
provides funding for teachers to
organize field trips to visit the
natural wonders of Illinois. Teachers
may apply for up to $500 to be used for
transportation and substitute teacher
costs. Complete instructions and
application form are available
HERE.
The IEPA is accepting IGIG Program grant
proposals through December 15th, 2011
for the 2011 Illinois Green
Infrastructure Grant (IGIG) Program
For the
implementation of stormwater management
practices or techniques that help
preserve, restore, or recreate natural
hydrology. These green infrastructure
practices include things like
bioretention areas, bioswales, green
roofs, permeable pavement, and rainwater
harvesting systems.
Details
Grants from the
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
(IDNR) Division of Education
The IDNR Division of Education is
working in partnership with the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for
Fish and Wildlife Program and the
Illinois Conservation Foundation to
expand the Schoolyard Habitat Action
Grant program. The maximum available
funds per Schoolyard Habitat Action
Grant application increased to $1,000!
The Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant
program provides funds to establish or
enhance wildlife habitat on the school
grounds or other public place and is
available to teachers, youth group
leaders and nature center personnel.
Butterfly gardens, rain gardens, prairie
plots and wetlands are just some of the
projects that qualify.
Click
HERE
for details
Deadlines in November & January
Illinois
Conservation Foundation Offers
Conservation Achievement Scholarships
for High School Seniors
Application deadline: November 30, 2011
The Illinois Conservation Foundation
will honor high school seniors who have
demonstrated outstanding efforts to
preserve, protect, enhance and/or
promote Illinois' natural resources with
the awarding of three Conservation
Achievement Scholarships. One $5,000
scholarship, one $3,000 scholarship and
one $2,000 scholarship are available.
The applicant must be an Illinois
resident and a senior in an Illinois
high school during the 2011-2012 school
year. Voluntary, effective contributions
to Illinois' natural resources
throughout the applicant's high school
enrollment must be documented. The
application form can be accessed
HERE. Questions may be addressed to
Donna Ferguson at
donna.ferguson@illinois.gov or
217-785-2003.
Science Lab
Makeover Application due: October 21,
2011
Is Your School Lab in Need of a Makeover?
Middle and high school science teachers
are invited to apply for a chance to win
a $20,000 science lab makeover support
package. The Shell Science Lab
Challenge, a program of the National
Science Teachers Association (NSTA),
invites teachers (grades 6-12) who have
found innovative ways to deliver quality
science lab instruction utilizing
limited laboratory resources and
equipment, to share their approaches.
Teachers submitting top entries will
receive professional development
opportunities and additional laboratory
tools and resources for their schools.
Viable strategies submitted to the
Challenge will be published in an online
NSTA repository of science lab
activities that can be delivered
utilizing limited resources.
Applications are available
HERE. |
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Becky
Hoag,
Communications Manager, Fox River Ecosystem Partnership
630-482-9157
foxriverinfo@comcast.net Please
Email me if you have an Email to add to our mailing list.
FREP WEBSITE:
foxriverecosystem.org
This newsletter is posted on the FREP Website on the
Downstream Newsletter Archives Page |
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