National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Chi-Cal Rivers Fund Announces $1.2 Million in Conservation Grants

CHICAGO (May 6, 2026) – The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and partners today announced $1.2 million in grants to enhance habitat and improve water quality in the Chicago-Calumet region. The grants will generate $1 million in matching contributions for a total conservation impact of $2.2 million.

The grants were awarded through the Chi-Cal Rivers Fund (Chi-Cal), a partnership between NFWF and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Forest Service, BNSF Railway, Cleveland-Cliffs, Crown Family Philanthropies, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Hunter Family Foundation, The Joyce Foundation, and the Walder Foundation.

“The grants announced today will restore habitat for wildlife, improve water quality and stormwater management, and increase community access to outdoor recreation through restoration of natural areas throughout the Chicago and Calumet regions,” said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF. 

The projects supported by the six grants announced today will restore wetland and riparian habitat to benefit migratory birds and native fish species; install nature-based infrastructure that reduces runoff and creates natural community areas to enhance residents’ quality of life; and activate previously restored habitats through community engagement and enhancement of public-access opportunities. Additionally, these projects will:

• Add more than 173,000 gallons of stormwater storage capacity annually
• Restore 120 acres of wetland habitat
• Restore 89 acres of floodplain
• Engage volunteers in conservation activities for more than 1,000 hours

“Joyce is a proud longtime supporter of this partnership that is vital to protecting and enhancing the Chicago and Calumet region waterways. It is an investment that benefits us today and benefits the next generation,” said Preeti Shankar, Joyce Foundation Environment Program Officer. 

“EPA is pleased to support these projects with funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative,” said Teresa Seidel, director for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes National Program Office. “This partnership exemplifies how lasting environmental results can be delivered to local communities through cooperation and collaboration.” 

“The Chi-Cal Rivers Fund inspires people to build trusting partnerships and take collective action to address environmental concerns with innovative solutions,” said Frank Baiocchi, executive director, the Hunter Family Foundation. “This occurs at both the funder level and with grantee partners, whose scientific expertise and community-minded approaches foster meaningful, sustainable change in areas that need it most.” 

Since 2013, Chi-Cal has awarded 72 grants totaling $16.3 million, drawing an additional $30 million in matching contributions for total conservation investment of more than $46.3 million.

A complete list of the 2025 grants made through the Chi-Cal Rivers Fund is available here.

About the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) works with partners to foster sustainable and impactful conservation solutions so that people and nature thrive together. Chartered by Congress in 1984, NFWF has grown to become the nation’s largest conservation foundation. Since its founding, NFWF has funded more than 23,900 projects that have generated a total conservation impact of more than $12 billion. Learn more at nfwf.org. 

About the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is to work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. 

About the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment. EPA’s Great Lakes National Program Office oversees the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative which was established in 2010 and is used to accelerate efforts to protect and restore the largest system of fresh surface water in the world – the Great Lakes. For more information, visit the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative website.

About the U.S. Forest Service
Established in 1905, the Forest Service’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains one of the largest forestry research organizations in the world. Public lands managed by the Forest Service provide 20 percent of the nation’s clean water supply and contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year through visitor spending alone. The agency also supports sustainable management on about 500 million acres of private, state and tribal forests including forests in urban areas. For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov. 

About BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway is one of North America’s leading freight transportation companies, operating a rail network of 32,500 route miles in 28 states and three Canadian provinces. BNSF is one of the top transporters of the products and materials that help feed, clothe, supply and power communities throughout America and the world. BNSF moves those goods more safely and efficiently, on significantly less fuel, with fewer emissions than the all-highway alternative. You can learn more about BNSF at www.BNSF.com.

About Cleveland-Cliffs
Cleveland-Cliffs is the largest flat-rolled steel producer in North America. Founded in 1847 as a mine operator, Cliffs also is the largest manufacturer of iron ore pellets in North America. The Company is vertically integrated from mined raw materials, direct reduced iron, and ferrous scrap to primary steelmaking and downstream finishing, stamping, tooling, and tubing. We are the largest supplier of steel to the automotive industry in North America and serve a diverse range of other markets due to our comprehensive offering of flat-rolled steel products. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Cleveland-Cliffs employs approximately 27,000 people across its operations in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit www.clevelandcliffs.com. 

About Crown Family Philanthropies
Rooted in the legacy of Arie and Ida Crown, as well as the Jewish tradition of tikkun olam—or repairing the world—Crown Family Philanthropies (CFP) is driven by more than 70 years of family commitment to social impact. Crown Family Philanthropies’ Great Lakes grantmaking supports efforts to address water quality, habitat conservation, and basin-wide policy to ensure that the Great Lakes are protected and restored for the use and enjoyment of people and wildlife for generations to come.  Learn more at: https://crownfamilyphilanthropies.org/

About The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation
Established in 1952, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation supports land conservation, artistic vitality, and regional collections for the people of the Chicago region and the Lowcountry of South Carolina. In the Chicago region, the Foundation focuses its land conservation program on natural and working lands protection and stewardship with emphasis on integrating climate resiliency, advocacy, and inclusive conservation strategies. See more about the Foundation at www.gddf.org.    

About The Hunter Family Foundation
The Hunter Family Foundation (HFF) strives to improve lives in sustainable ways by supporting families in accessing equitable opportunities to learn, play, and grow within their home communities. Our environmental programs focus on addressing barriers to outdoor access, emphasizing the importance of cross-sector collaboration, policy and advocacy, and community involvement.  

About The Joyce Foundation
The Joyce Foundation is a Chicago-based, nonpartisan, private foundation that invests in policies and strategies to advance racial equity and economic mobility for the next generation in the Great Lakes region in the areas of Culture, Democracy, Education & Economic Mobility, Environment, Gun Violence Prevention & Justice Reform, and Journalism. Learn more at www.joycefdn.org. 

About Walder Foundation
Walder Foundation was established by Joseph and Elizabeth Walder to address critical issues impacting our world. The Foundation’s five areas of focus—science innovation, environmental sustainability, the performing arts, migration and immigrant communities, and Jewish life—are an extension of the Walders’ lifelong passions, interests, and their personal and professional experiences. Learn more at walderfoundation.org. 

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Contact: 

Matt Winter, 202-857-0166, matt.winter@nfwf.org