Environmental Summit

The Conservation Foundation's

Environmental Summit

A River Runs Through:
Exploring the Ecological and Community Impacts of Dam Removal on Local Waterways

Thursday, November 12th
8:30am – 12:00pm

Virtual

About

What happens when we give rivers room to flow again?

For generations, dams have shaped our local waterways, supporting industry and communities. Today, communities across the country are taking a closer look at removing these structures — and the results can be remarkable. Free-flowing rivers can create healthier habitat for fish and wildlife, improve water quality, address aging infrastructure and safety concerns, and open new opportunities for recreation and connection with nature.

This year’s Environmental Summit will explore the ecological and community impacts of dam removal through local stories. Presenters will share science and research on rivers and watersheds where nature is rebounding, explore what dam removal can mean for local communities, and discuss how we can balance ecological restoration with the needs and concerns of the people who live, work, and play along our waterways.

Join us to discover how restoring the natural flow of our rivers can benefit both people and nature — and what these changes could mean for our own communities.

Speakers

Brook McDonald

President & CEO
The Conservation Foundation

Sarah Burns

Director National Dam Removal Program
American Rivers

Steve Pescitelli

Retired Fish Biologist
Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Deanna Doohaluk

Watershed Project Manager
The Conservation Foundation

Sarah Hunn

Director
DuPage County Stormwater Management

Jennifer Rooks Lopez

Director of Planning and Land Protection
Forest Preserve District of Kane County

John Quail

Director of Policy and Conservation
Friends of the Chicago River

Janine Prorok

River Rats

Marty Melchior

Principal Geomorphologist/River Ecologist
Inter-Fluve

Agenda

2026 Environmental Summit agenda coming soon!

Past Summit Resources

2025

Conservation 2.0: New Perspectives on Reconnecting with Nature

2024

Agroecology: Community-Centered Agriculture in DuPage County

2023

Electrifying
DuPage County

2022

Building Climate Change Resiliency into Our Landscape

2021

Nature Rx: Using Nature to Improve Your Mental Health

2020

Is Climate Change Impacting DuPage County?

2026 Sponsors

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