Partnerships Deliver Results: Osprey, Turtles, & Otters Rebound

July 12, 2025

The resurgence of key wildlife species in the Chicago-Calumet River system is no accident—it’s the direct result of long-standing, strategic partnerships dedicated to wildlife and habitat restoration and conservation. Collaborative success is evident in the vital partnership between Friends of the Chicago River and the Forest Preserves of Cook County, which has advanced the health of the river system and helped propel the return of osprey and river otters and dramatically increased turtle hatching rates.

At Thursday’s Happy Hour Speaker Series event at the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, a standing-room-only crowd of 150 guests listened to a fascinating presentation by Chris Anchor, senior wildlife biologist with the Forest Preserves of Cook County, which emphasized how this partnership exemplifies what’s possible when organizations work together toward a shared vision. “Friends is one of the most collaborative groups I’ve ever worked with, especially on a long-term basis,” said Anchor, noting Friends’ Executive Director Margaret Frisbie is his most trusted outside partner.  

Turtles, osprey, and otters are critical indicator species that reflect the progress made in water quality and habitat restoration across more than four decades. Their growing numbers are a testament to the power of collaboration, remarked Anchor, who is celebrating his 45th year at the Forest Preserves.

Friends and the Forest Preserves have worked together for years to improve conditions for turtles. Since 2014, our joint focus has been on increasing nesting success. Together, we’ve restored over 225 acres of high-quality nesting habitat—carefully selected sites that offer the ideal combination of soil, sun exposure, and protection from predators. This effort has paid off, with turtle hatch rates increasing by 60% across species.

The partnership has also taken flight to support osprey. For over a decade, Friends and the Forest Preserves have installed osprey nesting platforms along the river system. Today, there are 21 nesting platforms across the forest preserves—five by Friends and 16 by the Forest Preserves. Just this week, Friends and the Forest Preserves marked a new milestone, banding an osprey chick for the first time at Friends’ osprey platform at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Perhaps the most heartening wildlife comeback is that of the North American river otter. Once nearly extirpated from Illinois due to habitat loss and fur trapping, otters numbered fewer than 100 statewide by the late 1980s. Thanks to a statewide reintroduction effort in the 1990s, and continued monitoring by the Forest Preserves since 2015, the species has rebounded and is no longer listed as threatened in Illinois. River otters have become a symbol of hope and renewal—so much so that the otter its ambassador species of Friends. Anchor credited Friends’ restoration, stormwater, and water pollution efforts that improve water quality, create habitat, and food sources, all essential to otter success.

The work of Friends of the Chicago River and the Forest Preserves of Cook County shows what’s possible when shared commitment, science-based action, and community engagement come together for the protection and restoration of the river system and its wildlife.

This week’s Happy Hour Speakers Series was presented by The Otter Society, Friends’ premier giving group, and also celebrated Friends’ Executive Director Margaret Frisbie’s 25th anniversary with Friends.

The next Happy Hour Speaker Series event is on July 26 and features Marla Garrison, director of the Liebman Institute for Science Innovation who will discuss the Ecology & Conservation of Illinois Dragonflies.

 

Friends’ speaker series will take place every other Thursday from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. through September on the museum's outdoor plaza. The series is free and open to the public, and donations to Friends of the Chicago River are encouraged to support the Bridgehouse Museum programming. Visit our website to learn more about upcoming topics and featured speakers.