First of a two-year grant (total $50K). Friends of the Chicago River improves and protects the Chicago River system for people, plants and animals. Volunteers are critical to the success of the Friends mission as they perform valuable hands-on ecological work planting native species, removing invasives and conducting litter clean up. Volunteers advocate for the programs and policies which help to improve the Chicago River and are guided by Friends’ staff during training sessions, work days and networking events.