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.

The event is one of several co-led by Friends and Imani Village as part of a growing partnership focused on nurturing emerging leaders and expanding environmental equity across Chicago’s Southeast Side.

The Damen Silos site should not be treated as cookie cutter development, but rather should reflect the communities’ vision, help to repair the burden of pollution that the surrounding neighborhoods experience, restore the river ecology, and create welcoming pubic access.

In 2013, Friends and the IDNR began a two-year partnership to increase channel catfish reproduction by designing and installing 400 nesting cavities throughout the North Shore Channel, North Branch, and Little Calumet River.

In July, help protect the river system from harmful plastics and other litter by hosting a litter cleanup in your neighborhood using the free tools available at one of Friends' Litter Free Supply Stations located at community hubs throughout the watershed.

We are looking for innovative, river-system benefiting, sustainable, and nature-based projects located throughout the Chicago River watershed that exemplify our vision for the river system as a healthy and accessible blue-green corridor. 

The settlement is the result of a lawsuit filed in 2018 by after the Sierra Club discovered the Trump Tower cooling water intake violated state and federal law during a routine permit review. 

In July, think about pollinators; they need our help, and they help us.

Hoover brings a wealth of civic and professional leadership experience to the board. He has been involved with Chicago Sister Cities International, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, where he has helped advance initiatives that support young professionals and international collaboration.

In June, Friends' senior planner and GIS manager, spoke at the Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress where she shared how her love of wildlife photography inspires and informs her professional work at Friends.