River Ecology

Provided by: Friends of the Chicago River |Published on: March 4, 2026

Articles/Websites

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Synopsis

This article from Friends of the Chicago River provides an overview of the Chicago River ecosystem, including the plants, animals, and habitats found within the river and its surrounding environment.
The resource explains ecological relationships within the river system and describes the species that inhabit the watershed.

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Subjects: Biology

Authors: Friends of the Chicago River

Region: Illinois

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

This is a brief article, with images that support comprehension.
Students will get to see how the river is connected to the surrounding area.

Prerequisites

Though some of this information is specific to the Chicago River, teachers in other regions may find this information accurate and useful.

Differentiation & Implementation

Students can use the links below this article to check out other topics related to the river and surrounding ecosystems.
After reading this article, students can assess a local river or stream for its health. Older or more advanced students can take part in this unit to use organisms living in the river as a measurement of health.
Teachers can highlight the portion of this article that talks briefly about how the river has faced pollution. Then, students can check out this dashboard to see the progress of a Chicago River cleanup project.
This resource can be used to make connections to SDG 6, Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 14, Life Below Water, and SDG 15, Life on Land.

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River Ecology

Synopsis

Teaching Materials

Scientist Reviewed

Related Teaching Resources