About FREP

History
The Fox River Ecosystem Partnership (FREP) was formed in 1996 after the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) designated a core of high-quality ecological resources in the northern-most watershed as a "Resource Rich Area". Portions of eleven counties, including Lake, McHenry, Kane, Kendall and LaSalle, form the Fox River watershed, which is home to 11% of the state's population.

The watershed contains the Fox Chain O'Lakes (one of the nation's busiest inland waterways), many high quality Natural Areas, and suburban areas with some of the highest growth rates in the state. The Partnership is a diverse group, made up of landowners, businesses, non-profit organizations, agencies and governments within the Fox River Watershed region.

In 1998 FREP began a comprehensive planning process, identifying 16 critical factors and 6 areas of concern. The result was the Integrated Management Plan for the Fox River Watershed in Illinois that makes 35 recommendations for action.

Organizational Structure

The Fox River Ecosystem Partnership is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization. The Executive Committee consists of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Past President, Advisors, and Ex Officio members. FREP Officers are elected by majority vote at an annual meeting. (The January Membership Meeting)

Meetings & Noon Networks

FREP members and interested persons are invited to attend the Annual Membership Meeting, generally to be held on a on the second Wednesday of January at 1 PM. Holding just one membership meeting a year is new in 2024.

FREP Noon Networks, starting in 2024, will be held on the second Wednesday, from Noon-1:30 PM and feature environmental projects and topics throughout the Watershed. Generally, these will be held in February, April, May, June, August, September, October and November.

FREP members and the general public are invited to bring a lunch (when the setting is appropriate) and learn more about a project and actually visit the project site and talk to those involved. Noon Networks are hosted by FREP members at various locations throughout the Watershed.

Additional special FREP activities include:
The Fox River Summit with our Wisconsin watershed partners in March; a FREP Annual Picnic & Program in July; and a FREP Holiday Gathering in December.

 Check the Meetings & News page for our meeting schedule.

Documents

Contact Information

Communications Manager: Becky Hoag
Mailing Address:
Fox River Ecosystem Partnership - Becky Hoag
c/o 1281 Danforth Drive, Batavia, IL 60510


2023-24 Officers & Executive Committee

President  Jeff Mengler
   Hey and Associates
Vice President  Nancy Williamson
  Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge
Secretary  Lucas King
  Community Member   
Co-Treasurers  Sue Glavan & Eva Kiss
  Community Members
Advisors (representing Focus Areas for FREP):
Conservation
   Rob Linke
   Kane County Div. of Environmental & Water Resources
Habitat
   Jeff Mengler
   Hey and Associates
Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge
   Nancy Williamson
Lakes
   Holly Hudson
   Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)
National Water Trail Initiative
   Karen Ann Miller
   Kane County Development Dept.
Water Resources
   Jessica Mino, The Conservation Foundation
Representative to Fox River Study Group
   Alyse Olson
   Kendall County Soil & Water Conservation District
Members at Large:
Carolyn Campbell, McHenry County Conservation Dist.
Cindy Skrukrud, Fox River Study Group
Maggie Soliz, Soliz Group
Ex-Officio Member: Bill Donnell, City of Aurora
FREP Executive Committee Meetings will be held throughout the year, generally on a bi-monthly basis or as needed.  Some of these meetings may be via Zoom.
The meeting dates will be posted on our Meetings & News page
 and in the monthly Downstream  e-newsletter.

FREP members are welcome to attend, and/or suggest agenda items for the Executive Committee. Please share any questions or suggestions to: 
info@foxriverecosystem.org.

Membership in FREP

FREP appreciates the continued support of our members to address issues critical to preserving and enhancing the Fox River Watershed in Illinois. We strive to provide programming our members and friends find interesting, educational and helpful to their important work in our watershed. Participants enjoy many opportunities to network with other professionals and community and organization representatives. FREP will continue to explore funding sources that can benefit our members and watershed.

Becoming a FREP Member

The FREP Fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. Annual dues help support the activities of FREP and provide for a part-time communications manager to help organize meetings, activities, and to maintain this website.
● Membership is open to all "stakeholders" in the Fox River Watershed —
   individuals, governments, organizations and businesses.
● Officers and Committee information is listed above on this page
● Meetings are generally bi-monthly. Meeting information is posted on our News/Activities Page.
● FREP news and meeting information is also shared in the monthly emailed FREP Downstream Newsletter
Membership Fees
$ 25  for Individual Membership for Private Citizens
$ 50 for Not-for-Profit Membership for Volunteer
   Organizations or Foundations
$ 100 for Business/Corporation/Agency Memberships for Units of Government, Business Associations and Agencies
$500 for a Contributing Member
$ 1,000 for a Sustaining Member
Join/Renew Your Membership

FREP Membership Form   - printable pdf to mail

FREP Membership Online Form   - Pay via PayPal

FREP Member Honor Roll

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