In 2020, Friends of the Chicago River initiated the Greater Chicago Watershed Alliance (originally known as the Chicago-Calumet River Watershed Council) to establish a forum in harnessing the power of nature for watershed-based stormwater management.

The 25-member Watershed Alliance coordinates work among public agencies, conservation groups, nonprofit organizations, research institutions, individuals and other practitioners to build collective efforts in advancing policies, projects, and programs that advance multi-benefit nature-based solutions for a more resilient Chicago region. Our mission is to strengthen cross-jurisdictional collaboration on comprehensive stormwater management, with an emphasis on nature-based solutions and green infrastructure to complement gray infrastructure for maximized social, environmental, and economic benefits for the 156-mile Chicago-Calumet River system.

Through the expertise, coordination, and resources developed from this coalition (such as our project prioritization analysis from the Natural Solutions Tool), the Watershed Alliance has been able to leverage $8M in grant funding since its formation, which is truly a testament to the power of this collaboration.

The Watershed Alliance meets regularly in general meetings and working groups to co-develop projects to realize the vision of the Watershed Alliance. Currently active working groups are the Implementation Working Group, Policy Working Group, and Natural Solutions Tool Technical Advisory Team. If interested in joining the Watershed Alliance, please email tmurray@chicagoriver.org. 

Our main objectives are to:

• Capture stormwater and improve water quality
• Drive sustained investments in green infrastructure
• Support environmental justice and community health
• Protect, expand, and restore natural areas
• Enhance and protect biodiversity
• Increase climate resiliency
• Expand inclusive opportunities for recreation and respite

Watershed Alliance current collaborative projects include:

• Project prioritization analysis called the Natural Solutions Tool 
• Indian Ridge Marsh-South ecosystem restoration project
• Peer-to-peer learning opportunities for watershed partnership best practices
• Facilitation of innovative funding partnerships with Quantified Ventures to advise our region on optimizing federal funding
• Joint funding opportunities for watershed work
• Documentation of existing watershed plans and grant opportunbities
• Creation of a project pipeline through the Watershed Alliance's Implementation Working Group

Together the Watershed Alliance will continue to identify projects and work with each other to build healthy, equitable, biodiverse, protected and connected landscapes and communities.

Watershed Alliance Executive Committee Member Organizations:

Alliance for the Great Lakes

Center for Neighborhood Technology

Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning

Chicago Park District

City of Chicago

Cook County

Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Coastal Management Program

Lake County Stormwater Management Commission

Metropolitan Planning Council

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Openlands

Trust for Public Lands

For more information, please email tmurray@chicagoriver.org.