Meetings, Activities & News
FREP Meeting Programs & Noon Networks
FREP programs are free and open to the public. Reservations are not required, unless noted.
A FREP Membership Meeting now held annually, just one membership meeting a year on the 2nd Wednesday of January, .from 1-3 PM,
This Annual Meeting will include election of officers and a program.
FREP special activities include: the March Fox River Summit with our Wisconsin watershed partners; a July is a FREP gathering/picnic and program; and a. December social gathering.
The FREP Executive Committee will meet throughout the year and their schedule will be publicized here and in the Downstream e-newsletter.
This Annual Meeting will include election of officers and a program.
FREP special activities include: the March Fox River Summit with our Wisconsin watershed partners; a July is a FREP gathering/picnic and program; and a. December social gathering.
The FREP Executive Committee will meet throughout the year and their schedule will be publicized here and in the Downstream e-newsletter.
FREP Noon Networks held the 2nd Wednesday of the month from
Noon - 1:30 PM, at different locations in the Watershed. Most months, weather permitting, Noon Networks are outdoor field tours of different projects throughout the Watershed, and hosted by FREP members.
Noon Networks will now be held in February, April, May, June, August, September, October. and November.
FREP Membership Meeting Minutes are posted on our About Us Page
Noon - 1:30 PM, at different locations in the Watershed. Most months, weather permitting, Noon Networks are outdoor field tours of different projects throughout the Watershed, and hosted by FREP members.
Noon Networks will now be held in February, April, May, June, August, September, October. and November.
FREP Membership Meeting Minutes are posted on our About Us Page
Please RSVP to
info@foxriverecosystem.org
info@foxriverecosystem.org
to receive the Zoom link for the February program.
Becky will collect requests and email out the link
Becky will collect requests and email out the link
Images from the Chicago Botanic Garden lawn research
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
FREP Noon Network, Noon - 1:30 pm
FREP Noon Network, Noon - 1:30 pm
Location: VIA Zoom
Program: Alternatives to Turf Grass
By: Dr. Liz Anna Kozik, Chicago Botanic Garden.
Program: Alternatives to Turf Grass
By: Dr. Liz Anna Kozik, Chicago Botanic Garden.
Dr. Liz Anna Kozik is a Research Scientist in Plant Science at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Kozik recently completed her PhD in Environment & Resources at the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at University of Wisconsin - Madison. She is part of the NSF-funded Rethinking Lawns research team, looking at ways to better understand and implement lawn alternatives in the Great Lakes region. Coming from a background in prairie restoration, she and the team are focused on finding ways to incorporate our low-growing native species into lawn-like plantings. Kozik's primary research focus is on the history and practices of prairie restoration, and science communication. Her work tells stories of the relationship between plants and people through illustration and comics, including her PhD dissertation, a 156 page comic.
In the United States of America, almost 50 million acres of land is in non-native grass lawn. That is three times the size of our largest crop: irrigated corn. It's also the size of the National Parks in the lower 48 states. Between mowing, herbicides, pesticides, and water use, a lot of time, money, and inputs go into keeping our lawns green. What if we rethought lawns and found a way for them to be friendlier to our environment?
The Rethinking Lawns project is a combined effort from the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Botanic Garden, and University of Michigan-Flint. Starting with our expertise in prairie restoration, we are looking at the ways lawns can be improved on, primarily by using native plants. Whether remaining grassy like a classic lawn, or introducing short flowering plants, we are analyzing the benefits of these alternative plantings. Native plants have the potential to support pollinators, mitigate flooding via soil infiltration, store carbon, and reduce surface temperatures, to the benefit of all. Kozik will explore the variety of lawn alternative options currently on the market, share new experimental plantings being tested, and offer potential implementation plans for your home, community, or local natural site.
In the United States of America, almost 50 million acres of land is in non-native grass lawn. That is three times the size of our largest crop: irrigated corn. It's also the size of the National Parks in the lower 48 states. Between mowing, herbicides, pesticides, and water use, a lot of time, money, and inputs go into keeping our lawns green. What if we rethought lawns and found a way for them to be friendlier to our environment?
The Rethinking Lawns project is a combined effort from the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Botanic Garden, and University of Michigan-Flint. Starting with our expertise in prairie restoration, we are looking at the ways lawns can be improved on, primarily by using native plants. Whether remaining grassy like a classic lawn, or introducing short flowering plants, we are analyzing the benefits of these alternative plantings. Native plants have the potential to support pollinators, mitigate flooding via soil infiltration, store carbon, and reduce surface temperatures, to the benefit of all. Kozik will explore the variety of lawn alternative options currently on the market, share new experimental plantings being tested, and offer potential implementation plans for your home, community, or local natural site.
Thursday, March 13, 2025 13th Annual Fox River Summit
Location: Veterans Terrace in Burlington, Wisconsin REGISTRATION LINK
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
FREP Noon Network, Noon - 1:30 pm
FREP Noon Network, Noon - 1:30 pm
Location: TBD
Program: TBD
By: TBD
Program: TBD
By: TBD
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
FREP Noon Network, Noon - 1:30 pm
FREP Noon Network, Noon - 1:30 pm
Location: Meeting place TBD
Program: Field tour of C’ville Dam removal site
By: Jennifer Rooks Lopez, Rob Linke, Derrick Martin (V3), Derek Brehm (RES).
Program: Field tour of C’ville Dam removal site
By: Jennifer Rooks Lopez, Rob Linke, Derrick Martin (V3), Derek Brehm (RES).
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
FREP Noon Network, Noon - 1:30 pm
FREP Noon Network, Noon - 1:30 pm
Location: Meeting place TBD
Program: Field tour of Hackmatack NWR restoration areas
By: TBD
Program: Field tour of Hackmatack NWR restoration areas
By: TBD
Many of our past Noon Network & Membership Meeting presentations are available in pdf form HERE
FREP is happy to offer Professional Development Hour (PDH) certificates for our Noon Networks and Membership programs.
If you'd like to host a FREP Noon Network, or have a program topic/speaker to suggest, please let us know.
Email: info@foxriverecosystem.org
FREP is happy to offer Professional Development Hour (PDH) certificates for our Noon Networks and Membership programs.
If you'd like to host a FREP Noon Network, or have a program topic/speaker to suggest, please let us know.
Email: info@foxriverecosystem.org
Other News of Interest Around the Watershed:
Save the Date
Illinois Lake Management Association annual conference,
March 17-19, 2025, at the Northbrook Hilton in Northbrook, IL.
Illinois Lake Management Association annual conference,
March 17-19, 2025, at the Northbrook Hilton in Northbrook, IL.
Fox River Program Series - through April
Held in St. Charles & Yorkville
Held in St. Charles & Yorkville