Friends of the Chicago River
Botanic Garden

Spiny Soft-Shelled TurtleAbout Friends
of the Chicago River

Friends of the Chicago River is the only organization solely dedicated to the Chicago River. Since 1979, Friends has been working to improve the health of the Chicago River for the benefit of people and wildlife and by doing so, has laid the foundation for the river to be a beautiful, continuous, easily accessible corridor of open space in the Chicago region.

Friends’ work spans the entire 156-mile Chicago River system and its surrounding watershed. We focus on a greener river with healthy habitat, an accessible river that people can use and enjoy, and a river cared for by a broad group of supporters. Friends works in partnership with municipalities, businesses, community groups, schools, peer organizations, government agencies and individuals on projects that benefit the river.

We believe the river can be both ecologically healthy and a catalyst for community revitalization.

For more information about Friends, download Friends’ 2006 Annual Report. (873k)

Past annual reports
2005 (488k)
2004 (326k)
2003 (370k)
2002 (588k)