National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Chi-Cal Rivers Fund Announces $2.1 Million in New Conservation Grants

Chi-Cal Rivers Fund partners announced $2.1 million in grants to enhance habitat and greenspace throughout the Chicago-Calumet region. These investments will protect and conserve fish and wildlife habitat, reduce stormwater runoff, engage most-impacted communities in restoration activities, and improve access to and use of natural areas and greenspace by activating previously restored habitats. The grants will generate nearly $1 million in matching contributions for a total conservation impact of more than $3.1 million.

The grants were awarded through the Chi-Cal Rivers Fund (Chi-Cal), a partnership between NFWF and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Forest Service, BNSF Railway, Cleveland-Cliffs, Salesforce, Crown Family Philanthropies, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Hunter Family Foundation, the Joyce Foundation and the Walder Foundation.

“This partnership has a well-established legacy of making grants that not only achieve multiple benefits for habitats and wildlife, but also benefit local communities,” said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF. “These grants carry on that legacy by coupling restoration and green stormwater infrastructure with deep community engagement and will help to make natural areas more accessible and welcoming to local residents.”

Projects awarded funding will contribute to the following outcomes:

  • Add more than 2.4 million gallons of stormwater storage capacity annually
  • Restore 308 acres of wetland habitat
  • Improve community access to and engagement with nature at five public-access points throughout the region
  • Engage volunteers in conservation activities for more than 2,500 hours

“Joyce is proud to help support projects that reduce flooding and improve Chicago’s waterways today and for the next generation in our region,” said Elizabeth Cisar, Director of the Joyce Foundation’s Environment Program.

“The outcomes of the Chi-Cal Rivers Fund align well with BNSF’s commitment to the environment, and we are happy to support and partner on this important work,” said Peter Skosey, Executive Director Public Affairs at BNSF.

The projects supported by the six grants announced today will restore wetland and riparian habitat to benefit migratory birds and native fish species; install green stormwater infrastructure that reduces runoff and creates community greenspaces to enhance residents’ quality of life; and activate previously restored habitats through community engagement and enhancement of public-access opportunities. 

“Given the increasing climate impacts our region is facing, the work accomplished through this partnership is more vital than ever,” said Arnold Randall, executive director of the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. “Together, we can achieve more powerful conservation results for the communities, people, and ecosystems within the Chicago and Calumet watersheds.”  

“EPA is pleased to support these projects with funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative,” said Teresa Seidel, director for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes National Program Office. “This public-private partnership exemplifies the progress that can be made in communities through cooperation and collaboration among organizations with an interest in improving the environment and lives of people living in them.”

“Walder Foundation is proud to support this important partnership which advances nature-based solutions that benefit biodiversity and communities in the Chicago region. This work will help mitigate the negative effects of climate change in some of Chicago’s most impacted communities while boosting access to safe green spaces, restoring critical habitats, and enhancing community health. By demonstrating multiple benefits, these projects can serve as a catalyst for advancing nature-based solutions across the region,” said Jack Westwood, Senior Program Director, Environmental Sustainability, Walder Foundation.

Since 2013, Chi-Cal has awarded 72 grants totaling $16.4 million drawing an additional $30 million for total conservation investment of more than $46.4 million.

A complete list of the 2024 grants made through the Chi-Cal Rivers Fund is available here