Friends of the Chicago River honored six worthy recipients with the 2025 River Commitment Awards at our Member & Volunteer Celebration – including the inaugural River Resiliency Award.

In October, Friends of the Chicago River and a broad coalition of partners announced five new names for the Chicago Sanitary along with a public voting process that closed November 7.

The new names were developed through a months-long public engagement process reflecting the canal’s function, history, natural character, and location.

Prepare for winter this year by looking into eco-friendly alternatives for ice and snow.

We will spotlight this year’s greatest achievements and share a look ahead at the exciting work to come.

Designed to address environmental injustice and degradation, the Natural Solutions Tool provides a visual, data-driven way to assess and prioritize areas for restoration, conservation, and equitable investment in natural infrastructure.

For more than 25 years, John has been a driving force behind the river’s remarkable comeback

In a powerful collaboration bridging science, storytelling, and student engagement, the Explorer-Educator Exchange Program of the National Geographic Society teamed up with the Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago River Schools Network to immerse students in the cultural, ecological, and historical narratives of the river system.

We are incredibly grateful to 15 individuals who dedicated their time this year to train for the 26.2-mile race and fundraise for Friends of the Chicago River to support our work to restore and protect the river system.

The special BioBlitz event, co-hosted by Friends of the Chicago River and the Geographic Society of Chicago, offered participants a hands-on opportunity to explore local ecosystems and contribute to regional biodiversity research.