2018 Chicago River Summit
Click here for information on the 2020 Chicago River Summit
Ending the Waste Stream: Pathways to a Garbage-Free Chicago River
This event is currently SOLD OUT. Thank you to everyone for your interest in attending the 2018 Chicago River Summit. If you are unable to attend but would still like to make a donation to the Chicago River Summit or Friends of the Chicago River, you may do so here.
The Chicago River system is cleaner than it has been in generations, with improved water quality, greater numbers of fish, and recreational use booming. Thanks to the efforts of volunteers, advocates, public agencies, businesses, and community leaders, more and more attention is being paid to our urban river. Yet garbage of all kinds is frequently found in our waterways, especially after storms. How can we get rid of this unwanted junk which harms wildlife and diminishes the river’s value? Who is responsible and how can we prevent garbage from entering our stream in the first place?
The 2018 Chicago River Summit, sponsored by MillerCoors, will bring a global focus on how to remove trash and prevent it from entering our waterways. A group of experts will present about the current state of litter in the Chicago River system, how local officials are combatting it, the issue of plastic waste in our oceans, and successful strategies to clean up waterways around the world. Speakers include Adam Lindquist, Director, Healthy Harbor Initiative, Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore; David St. Pierre, Executive Director, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago; Tim Hoellein, Assistant Professor, Aquatic Ecology, Loyola University Chicago; Emily Franc, Anacostia Riverkeeper; and Mary Crowley, Founder and Executive Director, Ocean Voyages Institute.
Please join Friends and other water quality experts, policy advocates, and concerned citizens from around the world as we discuss what people are doing to create litter-free waterways and what we can do to make ours garbage-free.
Your $25 ticket includes admission to the Chicago River Summit, complimentary boxed lunch, entry into the Networking Happy Hour (must be 21 years of age or older). Those new to Friends will also receive a complimentary Prairie Dropseed membership for 12 months.
A full list of speakers will be announced shortly. Please contact Andy Donakowski, policy and planning specialist, at (312) 939-0490, ext. 15 for more information.
The Chicago River Summit is presented by:
