Your Handy All-In-One Guide to the Fox River

A new publication about the Fox River is quickly making its way into backpacks and onto coffee tables across the region.

The Citizen's Guide to Preserving the Fox River, a joint project of The Conservation Foundation and the Fox River Ecosystem Partnership, with grant funding from the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Foundation, profiles the Fox River and the conservation initiatives the community can undertake to protect it, as well as outlining the recreational opportunities available along the river.

About 25,000 of the free guides have been distributed to many area village halls, libraries and local businesses along the Fox River from Lake County to where the river meets the Illinois.

The guides have been getting a positive response from the community, said Jill Johnson, development and program associate for The Conservation Foundation.

“At least a couple of places have run out already. They’re really flying through them,” she said. “People enjoy it and like not only the tips of places to go to appreciate the Fox River, but it also gives them some tools to know what part they can play.”

Johnson said many people want to do something to protect the river but aren’t sure where to begin.

“This is an easy, digestable way to know what to do to make the river cleaner and healthier,” she said.

The booklet includes maps with pictures and a brief history of the Fox River and how it has changed over time. The guide also notes places within the watershed where people can go on short trips and experience nature, as well as offering conservation ideas, such as building rain gardens, installing rain barrels, rainwater harvesting, river/creek cleanups, native landscaping and more.

Debbie Buchanan, executive assistant to the Montgomery village manager, said the guides are being well received in the village.

“We have had a couple of people come in and specifically ask for it,” she said.

And many have been impressed with the guide’s photographs.

“People have commented that the pictures are really beautiful,” Buchanan said. “It’s a very attractive booklet they did.”

Oswego Community Relations Manager Michele Bergeron also lauded the publication. She said several hundred of the booklets have already been picked up by area residents.

"People have been really pleased with the guide," she said.

Oswego officials are also thrilled.

"The village did advertise with the book and we're very pleased with it," Bergeron said.

In addition to the guide, a special website has also been developed to help people learn what others are doing in their communities to help preserve and protect the Fox River, and what everyone can do to help.

An online version of the guide is also available.

Visit www.preservethefox.org  to learn more.