Celebrating 25 Years of Leadership and River Renaissance: Honoring Margaret Frisbie
Twenty-twenty-five has special meaning in June as we mark a milestone celebration, Margaret Frisbie’s 20 years as executive director and 25 years of dedicated service to Friends of the Chicago River.
Give in Honor of Margaret
Since taking charge in 2005, Frisbie has become a leading voice for the implementation of multi-beneficial natural solutions which build climate resiliency, protect biodiversity, and improve public health. Committed to the idea that an urban landscape can be a haven for people and wildlife, Frisbie originated many of Friends’ signature initiatives ranging from pioneering instream habitat restoration and the Chicago River Fish Hotel to the establishment of the cross jurisdictional Greater Chicago Watershed Alliance. Frisbie was named a national River Champion by River Network in 2017 and a Notable Leader in Sustainability in 2022 by Crain’s Chicago Business.
Under her visionary leadership, Friends is at the forefront of the Chicago-Calumet River system’s transformation into a clean, healthy, biodiverse, resilient, connected and welcoming natural wonder. Water quality has been dramatically improved, public access greatly expanded, healthy wildlife habitat abounds, the river is established as a vibrant urban ecosystem, and the way that people view and value the river has changed forever.
Among Friends’ accomplishments thanks to Frisbie’s dedication and drive are:
Awards and Recognition
- Forty-five awards and honors for Friends in 25 years
Policy and Planning Leadership
- Stronger water quality standards and enforceable permits that protect people and aquatic life that include protections for swimming
- The creation of the Greater Chicago Watershed Alliance and Chicago’s River Ecology and Governance Task Force
- The launch of the award-winning Natural Solutions Tool
- Dam removal on the Chicago River and its tributaries
- Creation of the Chicago River Blue Award to encourage and reward sustainable riverfront and watershed-wide development
- Establishing Overflow Action Days™
Pioneering Wildlife Habitat
- The Michigan Avenue Fish Hotel, the first floating habitat in the Chicago-Calumet River system which opened in 2004
- Thousands of acres of habitat restoration upland and riparian including turtle nesting sites which improved nesting success by 60%
- Miles of instream habitat creation
- Constructed restoration techniques to support reproductive success for osprey, bats, and channel catfish.
Powerful Outreach Programs
- McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum which attracts more 30,000 visitors a year
- The multifaceted Litter Free Chicago-Calumet River initiative
“From Lake Forest to Lemont, and Dolton to Riverdale, the transformation is undeniable,” said Sally Fletcher, president of Friends’ board of directors. “We see Margaret’s impact every time we enjoy our clean, vibrant riverfront—whether it’s with a raft of kayakers enjoying the Main Stem or an eagle soaring above the Little Calumet. Her imprint is on it.”
Help Us Celebrate Margaret's Incredible Achievements
As we honor Margaret’s leadership and the resilience she’s built into the future of the river system, we invite you to be part of this moment. Add your name to Margaret’s Anniversary Card with a donation that celebrates her legacy and sustains the bold work ahead.
- $20 – Celebrating 20 years as Executive Director
- $25 – Honoring 25 years with Friends
- $46 – Marking 46 years of Friends of the Chicago River
- $156 – Supporting all 156 miles of the Chicago-Calumet River system
- $1,000 – Boosting longevity in river renaissance
- $1,500 – Join our The Otter Society, Friends’ Major Donor Circle and receive a special invitation to walk with the Executive Director
- $25,000 – Make a transformational gift for habitat restoration, river recreation, clean water, and creative innovations
Together, let’s celebrate the past, present, and future of our river system. Thank you, Margaret, for 25 years of extraordinary leadership.
