Understanding the New Chicago River: A Summer Speaker Series

Friends of the Chicago River's free speaker series is back this summer, and we have an incredible line up of experts who will discuss the current issues and progress on the Chicago River. This series is in partnership with the City of Chicago and provides fun programming on the Chicago Riverwalk that can be enjoyed while actually sitting along the river. Bring your lunch and colleagues, friends, classmates, or children. Come learn about our remarkable river.

Starting July 11, talks take place every Monday, 12:15 -12:45 p.m., in front of Friends' Bridgehouse Museum on the Chicago Riverwalk, 99 East Riverwalk - it is free and open to the public.

• The Chicago River's Economic Engine by Ernest C. Wong, site design group, LTD (7/11)
• Birds, Bees and Bass: nature on the Chicago River by Zhanna Yermakov, Chicago Park District (7/18)
• The Latest on the Riverwalk by Gina Ford, Sasaki Associates (7/25)
• The Importance of the Michigan Avenue Bridge by Pat McBriarty, PTM Werks (8/1)
• Turning Toward the River: Decades of Water Quality Improvements and Impacts on the Fish Community in Chicago Waterways by Jennifer Wasik, MWRD (8/8)
• Invasive Species - Asian Carp by Dr. Philip Willink, The Shedd Aquarium (8/15)
• Incorporating Native Plants into Urban Gardens by Kris Sorich, Chicago Department of Transportation (8/22)
• Swimming in the Chicago River by John Quail, Friends of the Chicago River (8/29)