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.

A key focus of the tour was CDOT’s Chicago River Edge Access Study (CREAS) which is a new web-based dashboard tool designed to support long-term planning for a continuous and accessible riverfront trail system.

Friends has been the community steward for Canal Origins Park since 2019, and this year received additional support for cleanups on land, via canoes, and at field trips at the park from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program.

The City of Chicago has released a draft plan called the Central Area Plan, an area spanning 7.4 square miles and encompassing the Main Stem, North Branch, and South Branch of the Chicago River, and they want your input.

The creative force behind these new displays is Mitchell Trachtenberg, a master’s student in Urban Planning and Policy at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). His experience with the Freshwater Lab at UIC led him to an internship at the Bridgehouse Museum—and to a passion project perfectly matched to his interests.

Proceeds from the special cruise benefit important programming at the Bridgehouse Museum, including educational field trips for Chicago Public School students who learn about the river’s ecology and history and how the once abused Chicago-Calumet River system is now home to abundant wildlife including all kinds of turtles and river otters.

Choosing to invest in the restoration, revitalization, and advocacy of the river and its watershed helps to ensure that the renaissance will robustly continue, and more river otters will call our river system home.

The monthly advocacy steps are an invitation to engage and educate the public to get to know the river system as well as what they can do for it and why it matters for us all.