The Fox River: Our Hidden Gem

in a month

When

Wednesday, April 22nd 2026 at 19:00 US/Central

Rooted in Trouble: The Impact of Invasive Plant Species

A Fox River Presentation Series

All Programs are Free

Organized By:
The Conservation Foundation’s Kendall County Advisory Council

The Conservation Foundation is collaborating with local partners to once again offer presentation series centered around the Fox River. This series highlights the wildlife diversity, unique attributes, and recreation opportunities provided by our most valuable natural asset, the Fox River. The benefits of living in and visiting the Fox River Valley are expansive, but also dependent on our human impact in these places. Join one or all of the presentations in the series to hear the speakers’ insights on the intricacies of our environment, ways to enjoy our local outdoor spaces, the cultural significance of the Fox River, and how you can care for our natural resources.

Rooted in Trouble: The Impact of Invasive Plant Species
By Sam Kilgore, Local Land Steward

Invasive species have dramatically reshaped the natural communities along the Fox River. This talk will cover what characteristics might allow a species to behave invasively and highlight invasive plant species that are currently impacting our habitats or that may impact them in the future. How can help monitor and control invasive species in our local community?

FAQ Did you know?

Conservation Education Community Local Invasives

Where

902 Game Farm Road, Yorkville, IL, USA

To attend this event and discover more service opportunities, please login.

Organizer

The Conservation Foundation

Simply put, we save land and we save rivers, and we’ve been at it for more than 50 years. Founded in 1972, The Conservation Foundation is one of the region’s oldest and largest not-for-profit land and watershed conservation organizations dedicated to preserving and restoring open space, protecting rivers and watersheds and promoting stewardship of the environment in northeastern Illinois. We focus our work in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties, but have also had the honor of working on significant projects in Cook, DeKalb, Grundy and LaSalle Counties.

FAQ

How can I learn to recognize invasive plants at the event and what should I bring to be most effective?

Bring a smartphone with a camera, a notebook and pen, sturdy closed-toe shoes, water, and work gloves. Install a plant-ID app (e.g., iNaturalist) beforehand if possible. During the talk, take photos of example species and notes on identifying features (leaf shape, growth habit, seed heads). Ask the speaker about local look-alike native species so you can distinguish them in the field.

What practical steps can I take after the presentation to help monitor and report invasive species?

Participate in citizen science platforms (e.g., iNaturalist, EDDMapS) to submit geotagged photos and observations. Learn the key fields to include: location, date, clear photos of diagnostic features, and abundance. Join local monitoring groups or volunteer surveys organized by The Conservation Foundation or partner land stewards to receive training and standardized reporting protocols.

If I want to help remove invasive plants, what safe and effective removal practices should I follow?

Start with the smallest, well-defined patches and prioritize high-impact species. Pull or dig out young plants, removing roots when possible; cut seed heads before they spread. Bag plant material and dispose of it according to local guidance—do not leave it on site or put invasives in regular compost unless it will reach killing temperatures. Avoid using herbicides unless trained; follow label instructions and local regulations if chemical control is necessary. Always clean tools between sites to avoid spreading seeds.

What safety and precautionary measures should attendees take while participating in field activities?

Wear long sleeves, long pants, sturdy shoes, gloves, and eye protection. Bring water, sun protection, and a basic first-aid kit. Be aware of ticks and poison ivy—check for ticks after leaving natural areas and learn to identify toxic plants. Follow all organizer instructions about tool use and distancing. If you have allergies or medical concerns, carry necessary medication and let group leaders know.

How else can I support the conservation effort if I can't do fieldwork?

Support by spreading awareness on social media, donating to or becoming a member of local conservation groups, volunteering for outreach or administrative help, photographing and documenting sites for monitoring, and attending educational events to bring that knowledge back to your community. Offer pro-bono skills—communications, fundraising, mapping, or event coordination—to help expand local invasive-species programs.

Did you know?

Invasive plants such as buckthorn, garlic mustard, Japanese knotweed and Phragmites can outcompete native vegetation along riverbanks, reducing plant diversity and altering bank stability — protecting native plants helps keep the Fox River’s habitats healthy.

https://www.illinoisinvasives.org/

Removing invasives and replanting native species quickly benefits wildlife: native plants support more pollinators and many more native caterpillars (a key food for birds) than non‑native ornamental species — volunteer habitat restoration directly helps local pollinators and birds.

https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/About/Native-Plants

Early detection matters: reporting suspect invasive plant sightings with free tools like EDDMapS or iNaturalist speeds management response and makes community monitoring highly effective — anyone with a smartphone can contribute.

https://www.eddmaps.org/

Simple volunteer actions — pulling seedlings before they set seed, removing seedheads, and following best disposal methods — are low‑cost, high‑impact ways to reduce future infestations when done at the right times of year.

https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/subject/control-management

Seeds, roots and fragments hitchhike on boots, boats, trailers and gear; cleaning equipment between sites (clean, drain, dry; remove plant material) is one of the easiest ways individuals can stop invasive plants from spreading.

https://stopaquatichitchhikers.org/cleaning/

Invasive species impose large economic and recreational costs on communities — preventing and managing invasions through volunteer efforts and community stewardship saves money and protects local recreation, fishing and wildlife viewing.

https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/subject/economic-impacts