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:

Membership Program
Events
Outreach
Partnership with the Canoe Marathon

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Grant Assistance

UDPREP provides grant assistance to organizations wishing to apply for funding to assist with watershed improvement goals. Assistance will be in the form of project planning, technical guidance, grant review, and/or letters of support.

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.

2010: Green Seams for Green Dreams
2009: Sustainable Agriculture
2008: Flood Responce: 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.

2010: The Impaired Lakes of Lake County
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.

     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 about past It's Our River Day Events…
Click here to view this years events information…

Special Events

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Canoe Marathon

We have joined forces once again with the Des Plaines River Canoe and Kayak Marathon, which since 1958 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 22!

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