The Conservation Foundation, River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles, And St. Charles Park District Promote a Clean Fox River: Volunteers from Wisconsin through Illinois Keep Their Communities Vibrant with 'It's Our Fox River Day'
St. Charles Event @ Ferson Creek Park on Saturday Sept. 17th from 9:00-11:00 AM
St. Charles, IL – Local organizations are coming together to clean up litter along the entire Fox River. The Conservation Foundation, River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles, and the St. Charles Park District are working together to conduct a volunteer St. Charles Fox River clean-up on Saturday, September 17, 2022. The event is part of the annual "It's Our Fox River Day" coordinated by Friends of the Fox River where river cleanups and community celebrations will happen in towns along the Fox River from Waukesha, Wisconsin to Ottawa, Illinois.
Over 140 volunteers supported this one cleanup location in 2021, resulting in our largest St. Charles Fox River trash collection to date.
"Volunteer interest in the 'It's Our Fox River Day' St. Charles Cleanup has more than doubled over the past four years," commented Laurel Moad, President of the River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles. "It's rewarding for families, friends, and community groups to spend time working together on something that makes a huge difference in the cleanliness and health of our Fox River. The River Corridor Foundation is grateful for the efforts of each and every volunteer."
Canoes, larger debris, and aggregated trash gathered by volunteers will again be collected at the central location of Ferson Creek Park by dedicated St. Charles Park District staff, who desire reduced influence of litter on the banks in order to highlight the special plants, animals, and aquatic life of the Fox River through their programming.
"The Fox River is an incredible amenity for both the community and wildlife that also call this area home," said Ryan Solomon, Ecological Restoration Supervisor for the St. Charles Park District. "Cleaning the Fox River waterway helps to ensure that there is plenty of available habitat for local fauna to thrive for future generations to enjoy."
The Park District is a fundamental partner of the event again this year, and one of many teaming up with other organizations to create enjoyable natural environments.
"The commitment from the community and our partners to a healthy Fox River is both inspiring and critical," said Jessica Mino, Kane County Program Director for The Conservation Foundation. "We look forward to another great event, experiencing the joy our community gets by coming together to support a healthy, beautiful environment for people and wildlife."
This 4th annual river cleanup is a great opportunity for community engagement and will raise public awareness of the trash that accumulates in our waterways. Clean-up activities will be from 9:00 to 11:00AM, starting from Ferson Creek Park.
Learn more about how to participate in the St. Charles Fox River Clean Up and register to volunteer at
www.stcrivercorridor.org/river_cleanup.php. Advanced registration is encouraged. Canoes and kayaks are
welcome.
Trash bags and collection tools will be provided. Volunteers are asked to provide their own gloves. The event
will adhere to CDC guidelines at the time regarding COVID-19 safety.
The River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles supports and advocates for projects that will enhance the downtown riverfront environment as a destination for cultural, educational, recreational, and economic opportunities that are accessible to all.
The Conservation Foundation's mission is to improve the health of our communities by preserving and restoring natural areas and open space, protecting rivers and watersheds, and promoting stewardship of our environment. Find out more at
theconservationfoundation.org.
The St. Charles Park District's mission is to enrich the quality of life of Park District residents through excellence in programs, parks, facilities, and services. Find out more at stcparks.org.
