Join us for the It’s Our Fox River Day Litter Cleanup on Saturday, September 21 from 9 to 11 a.m.  Volunteers will have the chance to clear debris from several Oswego locations along the Fox River. It's a great way to make difference in the community and help nature while enjoying a morning by the fabulous Fox River.

Gloves, trash bags and grabbers will be provided at the event. 

This is a family-friendly event. All ages and abilities are welcome. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Kayak and canoers are welcome!

Please note: For your safety The Conservation Foundation has asked for volunteers not to wade or go into the water to collect debris this year. Unfortunately, harmful algal blooms are quite prevalent on the Fox River this year and we want our dedicated volunteers to avoid any direct contact with the water. The Illinois Environmental Agency has additional information and photos of agal bloom on their website. 

Register to volunteer in Oswego at Hudson Park (Serenity Park), Violet Patch Park or Boulder Point.

Organized by:
The Conservation Foundation, Oswegoland Park District, Village of Oswego, and the Kendall County Outdoor Education Center.

More about It’s Our Fox River Day from the Friends of the Fox River

It’s Our Fox River Day (IOFRD) is held each year on the third Saturday of September. Individuals and groups organize events to celebrate, protect, and restore the health of the Fox River. In 2023, more than 2,000 volunteers came together to impact about 200 miles.

The Fox River “watershed” is the total land area that drains into the Fox River; it encompasses over 2,500 square miles and serves over 1 million residents. Protecting a watershed requires thinking and acting as a watershed. IOFRD is the largest demonstration of Fox River watershed-wide protective and celebratory action.

IOFRD is pronounced “I offered” – a day intended to be both an individual and collective event that offers a thank you to the Fox River. The concept originated as a 200-mile cleanup to symbolize the need for a unified approach to protect and restore a watershed. It is intended to grow awareness throughout the entire watershed for the need to work collaboratively to protect and restore the health of the Fox River. It is also an opportunity for residents to be able to say “I offered” thanks to my Fox River.