Is it time for you to act on what you learned about Glacial Lake Pingree? This ancient glacial lake basin continues to support numerous watersheds and aquifers. It continues to support native and agricultural plants and animals. It continues to support human well-being. The physical, emotional, and spiritual health of northern Kane County residents and guests flow from our biophilic connections to this place. Please, help us protect this precious gift. Glacial Lake Pingree is more than just a memory, it affects our daily realities. The liquid heart of Glacial Lake Pingree is still beating!
Top Three Actionable Objectives
- Secure Open Space: Protection or re-establishment of open space and/or natural areas as greenways, in
order to preserve and connect significant water quality and habitat features and improve aesthetic,
recreational and/or alternative transportation uses. - Create Riparian Buffer: A riparian buffer is a vegetated area next to a stream or wetland that protects water resources from pollution, stabilizes the stream bank, and offers aquatic and wildlife habitat.
- Install Impervious Area Reduction: Impervious area reduction can be achieved in a variety of ways including adding rain garden “bump outs” to neighborhood streets, increasing pervious areas in large parking lots by installing depressed parking lot islands and use of permeable pavement.
Adapted from DeKalb County Watershed Planning report for the Kishwaukee watersheds.
Action Plans & Practices
“Kishwaukee River Watershed: Strategic Plan for Habitat Conservation and Restoration,” a project of the Kishwaukee River Ecosystem Partnership. 2006.
“Watershed Best Manageable Practices and Solutions Toolbox,” DeKalb County Watersheds. 2014.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s water page provides information on national water issues and resources for how you can help protect water.
Get basic water information via online tutorials from the Michigan Water Stewardship Program and a homeowner toolkit to help you become a better water steward
Build your scientific background on water through the U.S. Geological Survey’s Water Resources page
Visit the USGS site for current water data for Illinois to view the stream and rain gauge data for Kane County.
Access plenty of useful information about watershed Best Management Practices and water conservation from the Northwest Water Planning Alliance’s Resource Center, and access the Outdoor Water Conservation Manual
The Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant has a collection of useful brochures on natural lawn care practices.
Dupage County Environmental Division provides informational brochures on a variety of topics, including: naturalized areas, wetlands & streams, and illicit discharges
Get information on septic system maintenance from the Kane County Health Department
Learn about rain barrels and rain gardens for your home and property
Adapted from: Clean Water for Kane website.
Activist Organizations
Participate in a river cleanup, volunteer monitoring program, or educational event: