NPR Illinois Interview with Vern LaGesse

Friends of Sangamon Valley works to restore Illinois natural habitat and remove invasive species | Community Voices – June 3, 2022

https://www.nprillinois.org/community-voices/2022-06-03/friends-of-sangamon-valley-works-to-restore-illinois-natural-habitat-and-remove-invasive-species-community-voices?fbclid=IwAR0ql-nlcpkXZSin1EypEwUYGmyGJWYGFq_HPkCkdYY0QtKt90t4Tw5VH5A

Nipper Wildlife Sanctuary – Wetland Basins Hydrology and Water Quality Summary Report 2 (2020-2021)

Thanks to the work of Friends of Sangamon Valley‘s Vern LaGesse, Charlene Falco, Nick Klobuchar, Jeanne Handy, and Krystle Adams with the Lochmueller Group’s Joe Bartletti and Bryan Cross, a wetland hydrology and water quality report has been completed for the wetlands at Nipper Wildlife Sanctuary.

The cascading series of wetlands have been shown to remove nitrogen and phosphorus at rates exceeding 70-80 percent, and exceeding 50 percent during storms. The system also retains stormwater to provide downstream flood reduction in the Lake Springfield watershed.

Read all the details in the report …

Nipper Nighttime Frog Walk!

The frog walk has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 9 from 8-9 pm

(Rescheduled to 4/9 – needs to be 50° for frogs to be active). Bring your flashlights and rubber boots and join us for a guided nighttime stroll at Nipper Wildlife Sanctuary. Enjoy the springtime sounds and songs of several different species of frogs.

(Confirmed – this event will go on Saturday April 9 – the frogs are at their best.)

RSVP to Vernon LaGesse at vlagesse@fosv.org / 217-525-1410.

Rubber Ducky Race Reminder

Don’t forget – you can still get your tickets for the Rubber Ducky Race via mail – but, ACT NOW. Deadline to mail your request and your donation by this weekend. Send a check to

Friends of Sangamon Valley

PO Box 13352

Springfield, IL 62791

Tickets are $10 each, 3 for $25, 6 for $50, or 13 for $100.

First place wins $1000 Second place wins $500 Third place wins $200.

You can also contact any board member for tickets. Thanks so much for your support!

All tickets must be sold by March 17 so our volunteers can count the ducks and make sure their numbers are in the race.

Second Annual Rubber Ducky Race!

Info/flyer on the race. Tell your friends they can also to Rubber Ducky Race event page to get all the details. Thanks for your support of Friends of Sangamon Valley!

Contact any board member for tickets or purchase tickets through the mail by sending a check to Friends of the Sangamon Valley, PO Box 13352, Springfield, IL 62791.

Lake Springfield Watershed “Lunch & Learn” Webinars

Check out this series of Lake Springfield Watershed “Lunch & Learn” Webinars. Our very own Vern LaGesse will be the Nov. 9 speaker.

The series starts February 9 with “Best Management Practices for Water Quality and Soil Health” by Jean Brokish – American Farmland Trust’s Midwest Program Manager. Jean will provide an introduction to water quality in Illinois with connections between water quality and soil health, including an overview of conservation practices that improve soil health and water quality and support more profitable and resilient farms.

Join These Zoom Meetings the 2nd Wednesday at Noon at:

Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83402698147?pwd=aUdjUFBzckxZK0V3WVMwTFRoc29TZz09

Meeting ID: 834 0269 8147

Passcode: 106405