Chicago & Lake Michigan Resources
We are all connected to the Great Lakes fresh water. While Chicago FPC Service is focused on City of Chicago Water Certifications, we recognize the need to be an ally for clean water as a universal right. Here is our top 5 sites for about the Chicago waterways and the greater Great Lakes.
“Great Lakes Now,” launched in April 2019, and since then has expanded to a basin-wide, bi-national program carried on more than a dozen PBS stations in five states as well as in Ontario.
The site hosts updated news regarding the Great Lakes as well as programming. They offer documentaries about the Great Lakes, YouTube channel on policy and events
Seasonally opened to the public. The McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum celebrates the Chicago River and its world-famous movable bridges.
Beginning at river level and spiraling five stories up, the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore a historic landmark bridgehouse.
At river level, visitors can view the massive gears of Chicago’s most famous movable bridge and then journey through time as they experience the story of the Chicago River. Once at the top of the Bridgehouse, visitors are treated to magnificent 360 degree views of the city and river, and will gain a whole new perspective on the beauty and complexity that is Chicago.
The Bridgehouse Museum furthers the mission of Friends of the Chicago River.
The organization behind the McCormick Beridgehouse & Chicago River Museum. They provide Chicago river outreach, supporting students and educators, as well as, direct clean up activities.
Urban Rivers works to improve water quality and create wildlife habitat along the Chicago River with floating gardens. You can volunteer by monitoring wildlife and collect data for research projects as a “river rangers” to monitor plant health and wildlife and remove trash, weeds, or invasive species.
Shedd Aquarium has Great Lakes Action Days, which include work days along the South Branch of the Chicago River at Ping Tom Memorial Park. They gather volunteers to clean up litter in the park and in the river, remove invasive plants, and install native plants.