Chi-Cal Rivers Fund awards $1.25 million in grants to improve waterways in the Chicago/Calumet Regio

Little Calumet River at Kedzie Avenue in Robbins / Image courtesy of Google Maps

Press release from the  National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

Chi-Cal Rivers Fund partners recently announced six projects selected to receive $1.25 million in grant funding to improve and enhance waterways in the Chicago-Calumet region. These community-driven investments will enhance fish and wildlife habitat, reduce stormwater runoff, and improve access to and use of natural areas. The grants will generate $5.6 million in matching contributions, for a total conservation impact of over $6.8 million. Read more.

The six grants will enhance and restore wetland habitat for marsh birds in the Little Calumet region, improve habitat quality at Crooked Creek, increase stormwater storage capacity in the city of Robbins, Illinois, and continue to improve habitat in Chicago and Northwest Indiana through tree planning and invasive species control. Collectively, the funded projects will:

1. Restore and enhance 357 acres of wetland and upland habitat

2. Control invasive species on 525 acres

3. Create and improve more than 10 acres of neighborhood green space

4. Add more than 750,000 gallons of stormwater storage