About Friends
of the Chicago River
Friends of the Chicago River is the only organization solely dedicated to the Chicago River. Since 1979, Friends has been working to improve the health of the Chicago River for the benefit of people and wildlife and by doing so, has laid the foundation for the river to be a beautiful, continuous, easily accessible corridor of open space in the Chicago region.
Friends’ work spans the entire 156-mile Chicago River system and its surrounding watershed. We focus on a greener river with healthy habitat, an accessible river that people can use and enjoy, and a river cared for by a broad group of supporters. Friends works in partnership with municipalities, businesses, community groups, schools, peer organizations, government agencies and individuals on projects that benefit the river.
We believe the river can be both ecologically healthy and a catalyst for community revitalization.
For more information about Friends, see our FY2009 Annual Report (919k)
Past annual reports
FY2008 (1.3M)
FY2007 (757k)
FY2006 (873k)
FY2005 (488k)
FY2004 (326k)
Friends Honors and Awards
The River Reporter
Download all the latest news from the Chicago River watershed. Friends’ newsletter, the River Reporter, has it all. Save on paper and read the electronic version, or print it out to read later.
Winter 2010 (813k)
Fall 2009 (1.0M)
Spring/Summer 2009 (1.5M)
Fall 2008 (1.95M)
Spring/Summer 2008 (1.35M)
