Illinois NLRS Program and Project Narratives

The Saturated Buffer Partnership is a five-year collaboration between Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association Inc., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service. The purpose of this partnership is to support saturated buffer installation, water quality monitoring of the practice, and outreach events. For more information, see www.illica.net/projects or www.ilfb.org/nlrspractices. 

The DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup (DRSCW), formed in 2005, works to improve water quality in the DuPage River and Salt Creek watersheds through cost-effective restoration projects and nutrient management. Recent efforts include stream restorations at Spring Brook, Klein Creek, and the Fullersburg Woods Dam removal, which have improved habitat, fish passage, and ecosystem health. In 2023, DRSCW submitted a Nutrient Implementation Plan recommending phosphorus limits for wastewater treatment plants and targeted projects to address dissolved oxygen impairments, supporting long-term aquatic life and water quality improvements.

The Lower Des Plaines Watershed Group coordinates a watershed bioassessment program to identify and address priority water quality issues in the Lower Des Plaines River and its 19 tributaries. The workgroup also provides extensive outreach materials for members and the public on issues related to water quality. For more information, see www.LDPWatersheds.org.

For 20 years, the Fox River Study Group has worked to improve the health of the Fox River for the benefit of the nearly 1 million citizens in the Fox River Valley and the over 300,000 people whose drinking water comes from the river. In 2022, the group updated its 2015 Fox River Implementation Plan and successfully advocated for a relaunch of a multi-dam removal feasibility study. To reduce algae and improve oxygen conditions in the river, the 2022 Fox River Implementation Plan recommends combining further phosphorus reductions from wastewater inputs with dam removals. For more information, see foxriverstudygroup.org.

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s Local Technical Assistance Program supports communities in northeastern Illinois and aligns with the region’s current long-range plan — ON TO 2050 — and its principles of regional resilience, inclusive growth, and prioritized investment. Since 2012, the program has assisted communities in developing more than 200 projects with local governments, nonprofits, and intergovernmental organizations to address local issues at the intersection of transportation, land use, and housing, including the natural environment, economic growth, and community development. The program helps communities plan projects that build local capacity, engage marginalized groups, and connect local partners with implementing agencies and capital funding for infrastructure investments, including stormwater management. For more information, see www.cmap.illinois.gov/programs/lta. 

Developed by The Conservation Foundation, Conservation@Home is an educational program that recognizes and certifies properties that demonstrate environmentally sound landscape practices. Through the Conservation@Home certification program’s guidance and education, residents can shape their private and community landscapes in an environmentally-minded way. Conservation@Home is a northeastern Illinois regional program. A map of participants is available at tcfwatersheds.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/ index.html. In Cook County, this program is a partnership between University of Illinois Extension and The Forest Preserves of Cook County. For more information, see extension.illinois.edu/cook/ConservationHome and theconservationfoundation.org/conservation-home

DuPage County Stormwater Management recognizes the financial burden a property owner may face when undertaking a project that improves regional water quality. The county’s Water Quality Improvement Program, WQIP, offers financial assistance to projects providing a regional water quality benefit to local waterways. The grant funds up to 25% of eligible construction costs for water quality improvement projects. DuPage County initiated the grant program in 2000 and has awarded nearly $6.3 million across 108 projects. DuPage County government agencies, organizations, and individuals are eligible to receive funds under the WQIP. The WQIP story map provides information on the grant and application process and gives examples of eligible projects, such as rain gardens, green roofs, permeable pavers, and streambank stabilization. The story map also includes animated infographics, photos, project descriptions, and an interactive map of previously awarded projects.

For more information, see dupagecounty.gov/government/departments/stormwater_management/grants/water_quality_ improvement_program.php.

The Greater Chicago Watershed Alliance, led by Friends of the Chicago River, is a coalition of 42 organizations working to advance nature-based stormwater solutions across the Chicago-Calumet River watershed. Since 2020, the alliance has secured $8 million in grants to support regional projects and collaboration. In 2024, the group facilitated the transition of the Calumet Stormwater Collaborative, advanced funding opportunities, contributed to regional stormwater policies, and hosted the 20th Anniversary Chicago River Summit, bringing together more than 150 experts to promote watershed-based stormwater management. 

From 2021-23, University of Illinois Extension and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant developed a website, Illinois Groundwork, based on multidisciplinary green infrastructure research and an extension process piloted in the Chicago Calumet region. By improving access to data, research, and other resources, Illinois Groundwork increases the effective use of green infrastructure to address stormwater management challenges. For more information, see IllinoisGroundwork.org. 

The Illinois-Indiana Master Watershed Steward Program empowers residents to protect and improve water resources through science-based education on watershed health, water quality, climate change, invasive species, and agriculture. Participants complete eight interactive sessions and gain skills to support restoration, community science, and educational initiatives. An optional Watershed Game uses a team-based simulation to demonstrate how cooperation and land-use decisions affect water quality. Offered statewide through Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, University of Illinois Extension, and Purdue Extension, the program trained participants and educators across Illinois and Indiana in 2024, expanding local capacity for watershed stewardship and environmental education.

The North Branch Chicago River Watershed Workgroup was formed in January 2018 to identify and assess water quality issues along the three forks of the North Branch Chicago River. The watershed includes portions of Lake and Cook counties and consists of 42 separate organizations, including 24 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System, MS4, communities and agencies, two of which are publicly owned treatment works. Following Illinois EPA approval of its quality assurance plan and continued water quality monitoring, they developed a NARP work plan in 2021-22 and hired a consultant to help with plan implementation, expected to run through 2025. For more information, see nbwwil.org

The Des Plaines River Watershed Workgroup (DRWW), formed in 2015, brings together local governments, wastewater facilities, and other partners to improve water quality in the Des Plaines River watershed. In 2023, DRWW completed a Nutrient Assessment Reduction Plan (NARP), finding that combined phosphorus reductions from treatment plants, upstream sources, and nonpoint sources provide the greatest water quality benefits. The group continues water quality and biological monitoring, lake management efforts, nutrient reduction planning, and deicing education. In 2023, DRWW-supported workshops trained over 1,000 professionals in winter salt reduction best practices.

The Rainscaping Education Program is a collaboration between University of Illinois Extension, Purdue University Extension, and community partners to provide training to communities interested in building rain gardens. From 2021-22, Illinois Extension offered seven events with 98 participants. As part of the curriculum, four demonstration rain gardens were built or renovated, one program taught hands-on maintenance, and 11 homeowners qualified for stipends to build residential rain gardens. Illinois Extension and Purdue Extension also taught 10 additional Illinois staff members how to host and teach the Rainscaping sessions. For more information, see iiseagrant.org/work/sustainable-community-planning/ programs-initiatives/purdue-rainscaping-education.

The Illinois Corn Growers Association's Precision Conservation Management (PCM) team supports farmers in the 5-Year Soil Health Transition (5YT) program by helping them adopt and evaluate soil health practices. Conservation specialists work one-on-one with producers to compare conservation and conventional management systems, assess financial and logistical impacts, and track soil health changes through assessments, field checks, and soil sampling. The program also promotes peer-to-peer learning through grower meetings and demonstrations. Currently serving about 61 producers, 5YT aims to document and demonstrate the benefits of soil health practices using anonymous, aggregated data over a five-year period.

The Edge-of-Field Partnership for Woodchip Bioreactors is a multi-year collaboration between Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association Inc., University of Illinois, and Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service. The goal of this partnership is to install a woodchip bioreactor each year and to support research into the impact of woodchip bioreactors on water quality at each site for the five-year collaboration period, and beyond. In previous years, the partnership has installed woodchip bioreactors in Bureau and Henry counties. 

In 2021, the partners finalized the installation of the fourth woodchip bioreactor in McDonough County. Due to extended project delays throughout 2021, the partners pushed back their in-person field day to July 2022. In November 2022, the partners installed the fifth woodchip bioreactor in Sangamon County, with plans to host a field day in summer 2023.

For more information, see www.illica.net/projects or www.ilfb.org/nlrspractices.  

American Farmland Trust (AFT) is leading the Farmer-Led Advances in Soil Health (FLASH) program, a statewide initiative that connects farmer-led networks with local conservation professionals to promote soil health and nutrient management practices. Supported by nearly $4 million in USDA NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program funding, FLASH provides leadership training, technical assistance, and peer-to-peer outreach to encourage conservation adoption. The program aims to improve water quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase carbon sequestration, and strengthen farm resilience to climate change. Conservation practice implementation begins in 2025, with a goal of reaching 24,000 acres by 2029.

Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission secured Delta Regional Authority Strategic Planning Grants to develop stormwater management plans for Carbondale and West Frankfort. The plans address recurring flash and river flooding by assessing existing infrastructure, reducing runoff, erosion, and pollution, promoting best management practices, and guiding future development and maintenance decisions. Expected outcomes include reduced flood damage, improved water quality, and a shared regulatory framework for southern Illinois communities. The projects are currently in the public outreach phase, with Carbondale gathering resident feedback through a stormwater survey. 

Greater Egypt Regional Planning Commission has an active role in the development of watershed-based plans in southern Illinois. Two watershed-based plans are currently in development: Western Crab Orchard Creek watershed, a collection of three watersheds encompassing Carbondale and Makanda, and Kinkaid Creek watershed, which includes the area surrounding Kinkaid Lake. More information is available at greateregypt.org/watershed-based-planning/.

In 2021–22, the Lawn to Lake Midwest Program used insights from the 2019 Lawn Caretaker Survey to develop five outreach tools, distribute 50,000 copies of each across the state, and create a comprehensive website to showcase them. A social media campaign raised awareness of the new resources by generating 85,000 impressions, or views, and driving 10,000 users to the new website. For more information, see LawntoLakeMidwest.org.