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UDPREP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring and protecting the Upper Des Plaines River Watershed through stakeholder education, collaboration, and technical assistance.
We bring people together to share ideas and discover partnership opportunities. We work with community leaders to identify grant prospects and develop strong proposals. And we work with the top professionals in the region to promote sound restoration plans and projects.
Learn more about our:
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C2000
As an Ecosystem Partnership connected with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' award-winning Conservation 2000 Program (C2000), UDPREP participates in C2000's annual grantmaking process. We review each final proposal submitted by stakeholders in our watershed and provide C2000 officials with input to help them make final funding decisions.
Since 1996, UDPREP's participation in the C2000 funding process has resulted in our region receiving 31 grants totaling over $1.2 million. Grant recipients have leveraged an additional $1.5 million in matching funds from local sources!
The impact of these 31 projects on our region has been tremendous, including:
- 54 acres of forest land restored,
- 122 acres of wetlands repaired,
- 170 acres of prairie enhanced,
- and nearly 9,000 acres of streams cleaned-up!
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Proposal Review Services
Each year UDPREP assembles a panel of experts to help municipalities, homeowners' associations, nonprofits, and others to develop strong proposals for two major funding programs: C2000 and 319. Our panel meets individually with applicants to offer helpful suggestions and feedback on their draft funding proposals.
C2000
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources' C2000 Program provides funding and technical assistance. C2000 grants support habitat restoration, land acquisition, planning, research, and outreach projects across Illinois. Learn more…
319
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) offers funding through its "319 Grant Program" for projects designed to reduce water pollution through “best management practices,” educational projects, and, to a limited extent, research and monitoring. Learn more…
Proposal Writing Tips
Click here for some helpful tips on how to develop a grant proposal.
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Events
UDPREP convenes networking events to bring together stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to share ideas and information.
Annual Meeting
Each year UDPREP members and guests gather to celebrate our conservation successes and elect UDPREP officers. Follow the links below for highlights and photos of our past meetings.
2009: Sustainable Agriculture
2008: Flood Response: On the Path to Drier Ground
2007: Green Streets: from Portland to the Plains
2006: Walk the Prairie with Bill Kurtis
2005: Lt. Governor Pat Quinn on Conservation
Watershed Tour
Each fall UDPREP organizes a thematic tour of interesting project sites in the Upper Des Plaines River Watershed. Our tours are a terrific opportunity for watershed stakeholders look at projects up-close and hear from project managers about successes and lessons learned. Follow the links below for highlights and photos of past tours.
2008: Flood Response: On the Path to Drier Ground
2007: Watershed Friendly Landscaping
2006: Green Design in Action: Stormwater Solutions
2005: Three Creeks: Projects and Perspectives
2004: Projects in Progress: Restoration Funded by
C2000 and 319 Grants. (Photos in gallery)
Brown Bag Briefings
These lunchtime gatherings feature interesting speakers on timely topics, updates on UDPREP activities, and news from across the watershed. Learn more about the next Briefing.
Past Briefings:
Bioretention Practices Webinar
90 Ways in 90 Days to Clean and Conserve Water
Phosphorus Fertilizer Bans in Lake County
Conservation Easements on Public and Private Property
Sanitary District River Monitoring Program
Road Salt and Water Quality
Youth Labor: Win-Win Opportunities
It's Our River Day
Each year on the third Saturday in September, communities across Illinois celebrate "It's Our
River Day" by organizing educational, recreational, and/or beautification activities along their local rivers. Learn more…
Special Events
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Canoe Marathon
We have joined forces once again with the Des Plaines River Canoe and Kayak Marathon, which for the past 52 years has provided on the upper Des Plaines River the largest single day paddling race in the country. We suspect that by paddling close to 20 miles apiece, those 50,000 prior participants have covered very close to one million paddler-miles in the history of the race, and thereby acquired an extensive appreciation of the river as an environmental and recreational resource. Indeed, both the Des Plaines River Association and its race participants provide direct financial assistance to UDPREP. Look for our exhibit this year in the Finish Area at Dam #2 Woods in Prospect Heights on May 16!
Learn more about the canoe marathon by visiting www.canoemarathon.com
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Outreach
Newsletter
Our newsletter, River Talk, keeps UDPREP members up-to-date on watershed news and UDPREP's activities. Follow the links below to read past issues.
Fall 2009
Summer 2008
Winter 2007-2008
Winter 2006-2007
Fall 2006
Spring 2006
Winter 2005
Fall 2005
Spring 2005
Winter 2004
Subscribers to our free listserv, UDPREPnews, receive periodic emails about watershed news, upcoming events, important announcements, and more. Subscribing to our listserv is easy, and everyone is welcome to sign-up! Just send an email to UDPREPnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Once you sign up, you will receive a email confirming your intent to subscribe. Respond to the confirmation email and
you're set!
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Organizational Strategic Plan
In 2006, UDPREP launched its 5-year Organizational Strategic Plan. This important document gives UDPREP direction and focus while serving as a tool for annual planning and measuring success.
Download the plan.
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Join Us!
As a small-budget 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we rely on member contributions to fund our work.
Learn how to become a member.
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