Park Ridge Man's Efforts to Educate Kids About Chicaqo River Honored

Friends of the Chicago River Volunteer and Events Coordinator Annette Anderson congratulates Chris Parson of Park Ridge for winning the organization's Spirit of the River award.Friends of the Chicago River

Park Ridge resident Chris Parson was named the winner of the 2019 Friends of the Chicago River "Spirit of the River" award for his exceptional service on behalf of the waterway.

Parson launched Friends' Chicago River Schools Network in 1997 and has been a volunteer canoe guide with the organization for more than 20 years.

The focus of the Chicago River Schools Network (CRSN) is educating the next generation of environmental leaders and building support for the river's recovery. Using the river as a basis for learning, the program provides teachers with the curriculum and tools they need to teach students about science, nature, and their local environment, giving students the opportunity to explore the natural world.

Since its inception, CRSN has impacted some 400,000 students.

Parson's other efforts with Friends include volunteering for the organization's Big Fish Ball and the Chicago River Student Congress as well as serving as a key member of the support team for the Chicago River Flatwater Classic.

"Chris personifies environmental stewardship in his every action and his joyful attitude, enthusiasm, and humor," said Friends' board member Daniel Loewenstein in announcing the award at Friends' annual meeting held October 16 in downtown Chicago.

Parson said he became interested in rivers as a child when his fourth grade teacher showed him a map of how the creek in his yard was connected, ultimately, to the Illinois River, the Mississippi River, and the Gulf of Mexico.

As a grad student, Parson studied the Chicago River system "and I was smitten," he said.

"I am deeply honored and humbled. Thank you to Friends for giving me an outlet for my love of rivers," said Parson.

Last year, Parson was recognized by the state's Serve Illinois Commission. That group named him "volunteer of the week" for the first week of December, according to Serve Illinois, which is tasked with promoting and supporting community service throughout the state.

Also honored by Friends was Stephan Vandenbroucke as "Volunteer of the Year" and Chicago Park District biologist Lauren Umek, who was given the "River Champions" award.

"For 40 years, Friends of the Chicago River has relied on generous and devoted people to advance the mission of improving and protecting the waterway for people, plants and animals. This year's honorees are exceptional in their commitment to the Chicago River system and the region owes Chris, Lauren and Stephan a great debt of gratitude," said Friends Executive Director Margaret Frisbie.

"Working together, we will have a river that is litter free, sewage free, alive with wildlife and people swimming."

Friends of the Chicago River is an award-winning nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve and protect the Chicago River for people, plants and animals. With over 14,000 members, volunteers, and online advocates, Friends works to make the river greener and more accessible, while building awareness of the benefits that a clean, healthy river can bring to the surrounding community. Friends of the Chicago River is working to make the Chicago River one of the world's great metropolitan rivers. For more information visit www.chicagoriver.org.