Historically, January 17th is the coldest day of the year in Chicago. So that seems like the best time to stand outside, on the water, and eat pigs-in-a-blanket. Or pigs-in-a-snuggie. Or something like that. Sausages in crescent rolls. Anyway, that’s what we’ll be doing the morning of Friday, January 17, at the Wild Mile, Urban Rivers’ floating garden on the Chicago River. The pigs, which are being donated by Gunthorp Farms, will be swaddled by Chef Javauneeka Jacobs of Frontera Grill. They’ll be wrapped in pastry dough contributed by Francisco’s Produce and heated on grills and griddles from Weber Grills. They’ll be covered in syrup courtesy of our friends at BLiS, the source for handcrafted, sustainable, natural gourmet food ingredients. And we’ll be drinking the finest brews from Dark Matter Coffee, delicious natural juices from Greenwood Associates, and Chicago’s own Jeppson’s Malort, the only liqueur you’d want to drink while on the water in Chicago on the coldest day of the year.

The event is being organized to bring attention to the Wild Mile, a three-year-old project that Urban Rivers developed to restore habitat for native wildlife and improve the river's environmental condition. It also provides access to the river for Chicago residents who want to kayak, fish, or connect with nature. It serves as home to all manner of wildlife, including the viral snapping turtle, Chonkosaurus.

All Chicagoans are invited to join us from 6 to 10am on Friday, January 17, for some pre-work piggy festivities. It’s entirely free, though donations for Urban Rivers are welcomed!

Our newest addition to the Wild Mile is a cozy fire pit! Join us on the Wild Mile to enjoy a sweet snack.

This event is free and open to everyone. Walk-ups are welcome, but if possible, please RSVP using the link below.

If you've ever had burning questions about the Wild Mile or Urban Rivers, look no further. One of our knowledgable team members will take you on a tour of the Wild Mile, explaining the project's history, architecture, ecology, and more. The tour will take 20-30 minutes, with plenty of time for questions. We'll meet at the entrance to the Wild Mile, behind REI. 

This event will repeat on a monthly basis, though the date and time may change according to seasonal needs. If you'd like a tour but can't make it to any available tour dates, email team@urbanriv.org, and we'd be happy to set up a time to show you around! 

This event is free and open to everyone. Walk-ups are welcome, but if possible, please RSVP using the link below.

Our newest addition to the Wild Mile is a cozy fire pit! Join us on the Wild Mile to enjoy a sweet snack.

This event is free and open to everyone. Walk-ups are welcome, but if possible, please RSVP using the link below.

If you've ever had burning questions about the Wild Mile or Urban Rivers, look no further. One of our knowledgable team members will take you on a tour of the Wild Mile, explaining the project's history, architecture, ecology, and more. The tour will take 20-30 minutes, with plenty of time for questions. We'll meet at the entrance to the Wild Mile, behind REI. 

This event will repeat on a monthly basis, though the date and time may change according to seasonal needs. If you'd like a tour but can't make it to any available tour dates, email team@urbanriv.org, and we'd be happy to set up a time to show you around! 

This event is free and open to everyone. Walk-ups are welcome, but if possible, please RSVP using the link below.

Join us Friday November 1st at the Wild Mile for an evening along the Chicago River. Walk the riverfront, enjoy a bonfire, and catch that a sunset before the end of Daylight Savings Time.

Seating is available but limited, please feel free to bring your own chair!

B IPOC, LGBTQIA2S+ and Disabled birders are welcome. Families and children welcomed, please rsvp for anyone using binoculars.

Getting there: Head to the end of W Eastman Street behind REI to access the Wile Mile boardwalk. The address is 905 W Eastman St., Chicago, IL 60642. Street parking is extremely limited. Use the CTA with bus routes on Division (#70), North Ave (#72), Halsted (#8), and the North/Clyborn Red line stop.
Questions? Please email feministbirdclub.chicago@gmail.com.
Accessibility & Terrain: The Wild Mile is a floating, ADA accessible boardwalk. We'll mostly be sitting around the bonfire pits near the entrance, but all are welcome to walk along the river path. There are no restrooms on-site.
Dress: Please dress in weather appropriate clothing and lots of layers including gloves. November evening weather can be very cold and shift quickly so please bear this in mind.

PLEASE READ AND REVIEW: Feminist Bird Club's Birding Code of Conduct prior to attending this event.

Code of Conduct can be accessed on our website FeministBirdClub.org/Resources or by following this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vL4xY5uf6oNkoKbmMkwD5Uiavdb505_hESciQ0_S_ow/edit

Join us on the Wild Mile for a canine-themed extravaganza, and bring your furry friends! Our second annual Howl-oween will feature a dog costume contest, so put together your most outlandish costumes and prepare for some festive competition! Last year we were visited by a spotted lantern fly, escaped convict, a sushi roll, and many more contenders. Cats are welcome as well, but unbiased judging can not be guaranteed. All non-human animals must be on leash!

No pet? No problem! Come sip some apple cider and learn about seasonal ecology, including urban coyotes, from our knowledgable staff and volunteers. We’ll also have candy available for Trick-or-Treaters, so bring the whole family!

Join CatJam Chicago for an acoustic jam session on the Wild Mile! This dynamic group of local musicians welcomes any passerby to join the jam. Come relax on the Wild Mile and sip some hard kombucha (courtesy of Luna Bay Booch) while enjoying the music, or bring your instrument and play with some of Chicago’s coolest cats!

No RSVP required!

Our newest addition to the Wild Mile is a cozy fire pit! Join us on the Wild Mile to enjoy a sweet snack.

This event is free and open to everyone. Walk-ups are welcome, but if possible, please RSVP using the link below.

If you've ever had burning questions about the Wild Mile or Urban Rivers, look no further. One of our knowledgable team members will take you on a tour of the Wild Mile, explaining the project's history, architecture, ecology, and more. The tour will take 20-30 minutes, with plenty of time for questions. We'll meet at the entrance to the Wild Mile, behind REI. 

This event will repeat on a monthly basis, though the date and time may change according to seasonal needs. If you'd like a tour but can't make it to any available tour dates, email team@urbanriv.org, and we'd be happy to set up a time to show you around! 

This event is free and open to everyone. Walk-ups are welcome, but if possible, please RSVP using the link below.

Sounds and static meets The Wild Mile!  The 2-man Chicago rock duo, "I Guess So", will be performing live at The Wild Mile on Saturday, October 12th from 4PM-6PM.  Come on out for a scenic view, sweet tunes, and solid company.

Techno Tanz is a dance party for lovers of house and techno music on the Wild Mile, located along the North Branch Canal of the Chicago River. The DePaul German Club is inviting you to come to the river and dance from 4pm to 7pm on October 11th, 2024!

No RSVP required!

Join Citizen’s Utility Board on the Wild Mile to discuss how to be more energy efficient and electrify your home!

Join SAIC Environmental Science professor Sarah Zhou Rosengard for a community science workshop on the Wild Mile! Learn about local community science initiatives, and artistic, DIY options for getting involved!

If you've ever had burning questions about the Wild Mile or Urban Rivers, look no further. One of our knowledgable team members will take you on a tour of the Wild Mile, explaining the project's history, architecture, ecology, and more. The tour will take 20-30 minutes, with plenty of time for questions. We'll meet at the entrance to the Wild Mile, behind REI. 

This event will repeat on a monthly basis, though the date and time may change according to seasonal needs. If you'd like a tour but can't make it to any available tour dates, email team@urbanriv.org, and we'd be happy to set up a time to show you around! 

This event is free and open to everyone. Walk-ups are welcome, but if possible, please RSVP using the link below.

Join CatJam Chicago for an acoustic jam session on the Wild Mile! This dynamic group of local musicians welcomes any passerby to join the jam. Come relax on the Wild Mile and sip some hard kombucha (courtesy of Luna Bay Booch) while enjoying the music, or bring your instrument and play with some of Chicago’s coolest cats!

No RSVP required!

Join Molly Biagi and Allison Kish to learn about plastic pollution! Only about 5% of plastic in the US is able to be recycled and when it's found in small bits on the ground or in the water there is a slim chance it will be reused in any way. Not all plastic is able to be recycled together, and when it's found in degraded states, it's hard to tell what is what. This might sound sad but we have the chance to give these plastic fragments a new life in the form of art! Join us in making colorful mosaic pieces while also learning a little bit about micro and macro plastics and how they affect our local ecosystems and environment. 

Molly and Allison are both graduate students in Miami University’s Project Dragonfly program studying wildlife conservation, with knowledge ranging from endangered species monitoring, to microplastic surveying, to how we can create ecological change in our own communities. 

Our newest addition to the Wild Mile is a cozy fire pit! Join us on the Wild Mile to enjoy a sweet snack.

This event is free and open to everyone. Walk-ups are welcome, but if possible, please RSVP using the link below.

Join us on the Wild Mile for an evening of art and science! Draw or paint the Chicago River's insects, native plants, and microscopic inhabitants. Art supplies will be provided, and all ages are welcome, so bring the whole family! We'll be joined by artists and researchers who will help guide younger participants through the use of microscopes, watercolors, and more. 

Sun-Times outdoors columnist Dale Bowman and veteran Chicago River fishing enthusiast Jeff Nolan will present on the history of fishing in Chicagoland, modern fishing hotspots, and basic fishing techniques!