The Conservation Foundation’s Winter Membership and Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, March 11, will feature a specialist from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources who will talk about the improved health conditions of local rivers following dam removal projects.

The luncheon is sponsored by Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd., and will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Riverside Receptions in Geneva. Cost is $35/person for Foundation members and $50/person for non-members, which includes a one-year membership to The Conservation Foundation.

Steve Pescitelli, Region II Stream Specialist with the IDNR, will talk about dam removal projects on the Fox River and the DuPage River, explaining how the removals have aided in fish and invertebrate migration upstream and stream health improvement in general.

Individuals and organizations doing noteworthy conservation work in their communities also will be recognized for their efforts.

This year’s Paul Butler Memorial Award for outstanding volunteerism will be awarded to Larry Cox of the Downers Grove Sanitary District. The village of Carol Stream will be presented with the Low Salt Community Award.

Past recipients include DuPage County receiving the Low Salt Community Award, and the Naperville Park District was honored with the Sustainable Development Award for the Knoch Knolls Nature Center which opened last year.

Registration can be made at theconservationfoundation.org website. For information, contact Carrie Thompson at (630) 428-4500, ext. 110 or email cthompson@theconservationfoundation.org.

SOURCE: Conservation Foundation press release