Glenview River Project Recognized By Wilderness Group

Glenview's rehabilitation of part of the Chicago river is getting some recognition from a local wilderness group.

The rehab of the river between Willow Road and Techny Basin is the recipient of one of the Chicago Wilderness 2013 Conservation and Native Landscaping Awards.

The following press release was issued by the village of Glenview:

"A Village of Glenview project to “re-naturalize” a portion of the West Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River has earned the recognition of Chicago Wilderness, a regional alliance dedicated to protecting nature and enriching life.

The “Reach 1 River Naturalization” has been selected as a recipient of the Chicago Wilderness 2013 Conservation and Native Landscaping Awards. The official award ceremony is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 6, at the Chicago Wilderness “Celebrating Nature” event at Loyola University’s new Institute for Environmental Sustainability. 

The Chicago Wilderness “Celebrating Nature” benefit showcases excellence in conservation leadership across the region through the Excellence in Ecological Restoration and the Conservation and Native Landscaping programs. (More on the award program can be found here: http://www.chicagowilderness.org/what-we-do/restoring-nature-to-health/excellence-in-ecological-restoration-program/celebratenature/) 

Using federal stimulus funds, the Glenview project began in summer 2010 on the 3,000-foot part of the river that runs between Willow Road and the Techny Basin, known as “Reach 1.” The portion originally meandered, but had been forced into a straight, man-made channel as Glenview changed and developed. 

The river portion now meanders again through wetland terraces, open water pockets and a more natural environment. Native vegetation was planted to replace invasive plants, and gentler grading replaced steep slopes. The project has helped provide valuable habitat for wildlife and create wetlands that help filter and clean the water supply. (More on the Reach 1 project can be found here: http://www.glenview.il.us/public_works/natural_resources/water_quality/1.%20Reach%201%20River%20Improvements%20Information%20Sheet.pdf

A map of the project can be found here: http://www.glenview.il.us/public_works/natural_resources/water_quality/2.%20Reach%201%20Map.pdf)"

For more information, contact Robyn Flakne, the Village’s Natural Resources Manager, at (847) 904-4536.