Friends of the Fox River to plant water willows

The Friends of the Fox River will begin planting water willows at 8 a.m. Saturday, June 26, just south of the Montgomery Dam on the west bank on the Fox River.

Water willow plantings represent part of a new initiative for Friends of the Fox River: habitat restoration. This initiative will complement its long-standing river cleanup work by providing permanent habitat improvement for organisms that call the Fox River home, as well as beautifying the shoreline.

This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Fox River and the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance. Bob Rung, a streams biologist from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, will be on hand to explain the planting process and give a brief talk about the benefits of water willows to the river.

Volunteers should bring waterproof boots and sturdy work gloves. They will provide the necessary tools. With this spring's high water, postponement of the event may be necessary. An announcement will be posted at www.friendsofthefoxriver.org by Friday evening, June 25 either confirming that the event will take place, or providing details regarding an alternate date. For information, call Brandon Zaleiski at (815) 356 6605.

For information on Friends of the Fox, visit friendsofthefoxriver.org.