Happy Hour - Healthy River

Friends' Becky Lyons (background) and John Quail discuss river water quality at the Happy Hour Speaker Series event on Thursday.

At the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum on Thursday, dozens of guests and passersby listened to a lively conversation about how the dramatic improvement of the Chicago-Calumet River system’s water quality is unlocking more opportunities for recreation and connection. Held on the museum's Riverwalk plaza, the discussion featured Friends of the Chicago River’s Becky Lyons, director of equity and engagement, and John Quail, director of policy and conservation.

As the only nonprofit solely dedicated to the 156-mile Chicago-Calumet River system, Friends is creating positive lasting change of the river system through bold policy advocacy and long-range planning initiatives that prioritize ecological health, climate resilience, and equity.

“Form more than 45 years, Friends has been at the center of the river’s transformation,” said Quail. “From decades of neglect to today’s cleaner, healthier, and more resilient river, we’ve shown what’s possible when policy, science, and community come together. The river is now a place where both people and wildlife can truly thrive.”

Friends engages more than 60,000 people each year through education, outreach, and hands-on stewardship—creating long-term river champions.

“Through our education and outreach and on-the-ground programs, we meet people where they are and open the door to discovery of the river,” said Lyons. “When someone connects with the river—whether by volunteering for a litter cleanup, or simply enjoying it—they often become strong advocates for its restoration and protection. That’s how we grow a community dedicated to a thriving, biodiverse, and resilient river system that is open and accessible to everyone.”

Join us for the final two Happy Hour Speaker Series events:

  • Thursday, September 4 – Test your knowledge at a fun evening of Chicago River Trivia, hosted by Bridgehouse Museum Director Josh Coles.
  • Thursday, September 18 – Dive into a conversation about the fish of the river system with Stephen M. Pescitelli, Francis M. Veraldi, and Philip W. Willink, co-authors of Fishes of the Chicago Region: A Field Guide.

Friends’ Happy Hour speaker series takes 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.