Member and Volunteer Celebration

Please join us to celebrate the many members, volunteers and partners who’ve done amazing work together to protect and restore the Chicago-Calumet River system this year. We are excited to host this celebration at the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s Mathew Bieszczat Volunteer Resource Center on the North Branch of the Chicago River. We will recognize some outstanding friends by presenting our annual awards for the River Champion, for extraordinary efforts and leadership in their work; the Volunteer of the Year, for extraordinary efforts and leadership as a volunteer; and the Spirit of the River, whose efforts, character, and enthusiasm went above and beyond. We will host a Question and Answer session with Friends staff, so bring your questions on anything from osprey nesting, to paddling, to policy. Food and drinks are on us. Join Friends staff to meet, mingle and share stories with other members, volunteers and board members about our river connections. Attendance is open to members and volunteers. Registration is required. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the past season, cheering on the award winners, and getting excited for the work to come!