Friends of the Chicago River

Friends of the Chicago River is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1979 to improve and restore the 156-mile Chicago River and Calumet River system for all people, water, and animals. Friends of the Chicago River works through education and outreach, on the ground projects, and public policy and planning to achieve their vision that the Chicago-Calumet River system and its watershed are a healthy, climate resilient, biologically rich ecosystem with equitable, open access for all.

As the only organization solely dedicated to the Chicago-Calumet River system, Friends has spent over four decades reclaiming the river as a natural urban environment and its success can be measured in miles of trail; species of fish; and people in, on, and along the water. Friends has won over 50 awards in its 44 years and engaged millions of people in its work. People who become dedicated allies in the fight for urban natural resources and investing in nature as a way to battle the climate crisis and help preserve global biodiversity. Friends works across sectors and boundaries with elected officials, businesses, frontline organizations, government agencies, municipalities, nonprofits, and volunteers to repair past environmental harm and illuminate the river as a valuable natural resource instead of a sewage and shipping canal.