Building Habitats for Resiliency

Friends of the Chicago River works to protect and restore the Chicago-Calumet River system for all people, water, and wildlife. Since 2015, Friends has installed thousands of native plants along our riverbanks to create healthy habitats for animals, stabilize river shorelines from soil erosion, and increase the river’s resiliency to the impacts of climate change. Over the next year, thanks to a grant from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, we will be analyzing the entire Chicago-Calumet River system for the best places to expand this habitat-building project.

To start this process, we are seeking your input. Your survey responses will help us understand how to best get people involved in the project and what information people want to know as we explore potential future planting areas.

Question Title

* 1. How much do you know about how adding river edge plants improves the river?

I know a lot about it

I know a little about it

I’m not sure

I don’t know anything about it

Question Title

* 2. How do you feel about the river? For example, do you like it? Does it make you think of a memory? Do you like to be near it or see it? Do you wish it was different?

Question Title

* 3. Do you like to see animals (like birds, fish, turtles, raccoons, beavers, etc.) on the river? Why or why not?

Question Title

* 4. Do you recreate or spend time by the river?

Yes

Question Title

* 5. If so, what is your favorite river edge place?

Question Title

* 6. How concerned are you about the negative impacts of climate change in your community? For example: community flooding, water pollution, and rising temperatures.

Very concerned

A little concerned

Neutral

Not too concerned

Not concerned at all

Question Title

* 7. How could this project be more relevant to your community members and neighborhood?

Question Title

* 8. How would you like to be involved in this project? [Select all that apply]

Learn more about river plants and animals

Become a River Plant Ambassador to get updates, give input, and help to promote the project

Volunteer to plant river edge plants

Participate in events and/or activities (festivals, art projects, etc)

Participate in a field trip

Help to monitor the plants after they are installed

I’m not interested in being involved

Other (please describe)

Question Title

* 9. If you want to stay involved in the project, please provide your email address.

Your responses to the next three questions will help us better understand and serve the communities we engage with.

Question Title

* 10. What zip code do you live in?

Question Title

* 11. What languages are spoken in your home?

Question Title

* 12. How would you describe your racial or ethnic background?

Thank you for helping to protect and restore the Chicago-Calumet River system for all people, water, and wildlife!