9-Jan-17 – The 6,000-member nonprofit organization working to improve and protect the Chicago River has been honored for its public outreach.

Friends of the Chicago River was presented last week with Lake County Stormwater Management Commission’s 2016 Education, Outreach, and Media Award. The annual award recognizes individuals, publications, websites, or groups that address topics related to stormwater and floodplain management.

According to Friends of the Chicago River, the award recognizes their missions to improve water quality, reduce flood damage, restore and enhance the Chicago River system.

The award “affirms our commitment to responsible stormwater management and public engagement,” said Margaret Frisbie, executive director. “Our role as river advocates and educators is to get the public excited about the river and help them understand how we are all connected to the river system.”

Outreach programs last year included Overflow Action Days, which educated the public about “everyday actions we can all take to conserve water and prevent combined sewer overflows.”

The river remains at risk of overflows during winter, says Friends of the Chicago River, due to freezing rain, melting snow, and wastewater.