State Senator Michael Noland addressing Fox River Ecosystem Partnership. - FWS photo by Jeff Mengler

The Fox River Ecosystem Partnership (FREP) hosted its 6th annual Conversations about Conservation, March 9, at the Prisco Community Center in Aurora, Illinois.  

The event was the result of planning by FREP's Government Relations Committee, which is co-chaired by Jeffrey Mengler of the Chicago Ecological Services Field Office and John Church of the Kendall County Board and University of Illinois Extension Service.  

This year's event featured newly elected state Senators Michael Noland and Linda Holmes who represent districts in the watershed.   They were joined by Representative Linda Chapa Lavia.   Representatives Ruth Munson, Tom Cross, and Patricia Reid Lindner also sent staff.   There was lively discussion about various efforts by these state legislators to support conservation and environmental legislation and initiatives.   

All were supportive of the recently introduced bill to re-instate and re-name the Illinois Conservation 2000 program which will sunset in 2008, and under which the Fox River Ecosystem Partnership was formed.   FREP has secured Conservation 2000 and section 319 grants to fund over $10 million worth of watershed projects (including applicant match).  All of the speakers pledged to maintain open dialogue and contact with the Partnership on important conservation issues that may get lost in the docket of 3000 plus bills under consideration in the state legislature.