As we move through the final week of August, you can feel it, those cooler morning temperatures, the soft shift in the air, and the unmistakable signs that fall is coming. It won’t be long before we hear the whistling wings of mourning doves and blue‑wing teal, watch the sunrise break over the wetlands, and breathe in the familiar scent of harvested fields. This is an exciting time of year for all of us who cherish the traditions of the outdoors, and I hope each of you finds time to celebrate with friends and family as the new hunting season...

  Great Rivers Habitat Alliance (GRHA) and Ducks Unlimited (DU) will proudly honor the legacy of Adolphus A. Busch, IV at the 2026 GRHA–DU Partnership Gala, scheduled for October 15, 2026, at The Factory in Chesterfield, Missouri. This year’s event, expected to reach more than 500 attendees, will celebrate not only the enduring partnership between GRHA and DU, but also the life and impact of a man whose vision helped shape the very foundation of GRHA’s mission. On May 30, 2026, Adolphus passed away and GRHA lost its co‑founder, friend, and guiding force. Adolphus A. Busch, IV was a lifelong...

  St. Charles County Mentored Duck Hunts return this fall, hosted by MDC and Great Rivers Habitat Alliance, and St. Charles County Parks Department. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Great Rivers Habitat Alliance (GRHA) are offering mentored duck hunting opportunities for youth and first-time hunters.  These will take place at the Jay and Carolyn Henges Wetland Park and Education Center in St. Charles. The hunts will be conducted in November and December and are open to both adults and youths ages 11-15 who are new to hunting. Guided by experienced mentors in a supportive hands-on environment, the...

  GRHA is gearing up for one of the most enjoyable preseason traditions of the year, our Fall Dove Warm‑Up Shoot at Nilo Farms, happening this Saturday, August 29th. As dove season approaches, this event offers shooters of all experience levels a perfect chance to sharpen their skills, enjoy great company, and support conservation in the Confluence region. For $175 per person, participants will receive targets, shells, food, and drinks, making it one of the best all‑inclusive shooting opportunities of the summer. Whether you’re preparing for opening day or simply looking for a fun day outdoors, the Warm‑Up Shoot delivers...

  As many of you know, Great Rivers Habitat Alliance (GRHA) has been leading the charge to influence and improve the proposed routes for Ameren Missouri’s Eastern Missouri Grid Transmission Project. Over the past several weeks, GRHA has taken a proactive, coordinated, and sustained approach to ensure the Confluence floodplain, and the communities, wildlife, and landscapes it supports, remain protected. GRHA has conducted extensive research, developed a unified strategy, and assembled a diverse stakeholder group representing clubs, NGOs, landowners, and community partners. We launched a series of e‑blasts and social media communications, resulting in strong public engagement and local television...

  Great Rivers Habitat Alliance (GRHA) marked an important milestone this July as it hosted its 4th Annual Wetland Habitat Management Workshop, bringing together conservation‑minded participants from across the region. Twenty attendees representing four states spent three days immersed in hands‑on learning, field demonstrations, and science‑driven discussions focused on improving wetland habitat for waterfowl and wildlife throughout the Confluence and North America. Held at GRHA’s Henges Wetlands Education and Conservation Center, the workshop continues to grow in reputation as one of the Midwest’s most practical and field‑oriented wetland management trainings. Participants included landowners, duck club managers, students, biologists, and municipal...

  On July 20th, 26 teams came together at Forest Hills Country Club for the 2026 Great Rivers Habitat Alliance Golf Tournament for a day of friendly competition, camaraderie, and conservation. The tournament offered plenty of opportunities for golfers to enjoy the day, including a mega raffle, hole-in-one contest, and a putting green contest sponsored by Schaefer Door. Vodkade kept golfers refreshed with on-course beverages, while the beautiful day and great company made for an enjoyable tournament from the first tee to the final hole. More than just a day on the course, the tournament helps support GRHA’s work to...

As I sit in my office at the Henges Center watching the farm crew work to protect crops and habitat from a three‑inch rain, I’m reminded of a simple truth every sportsman knows well: the successes of the fall are earned long before the season begins. A mature buck in a fall food plot or a mallard taken over a carefully managed moist‑soil unit doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of months, often years, of preparation, stewardship, and commitment to the resource. Similarly, wins in the political world often take similar preparation and resources. Our current Board, including the...

Great Rivers Habitat Alliance is proud to announce aa major new investment in hunter education and access across our region. The Gateway Area Chapter of Safari Club International (SCI) has committed $15,000 over the next three years to support GRHA’s mission—through a partnership that will help bring more people into the outdoors and strengthen the future of conservation. Through this partnership, Gateway Area Chapter SCI will help GRHA fund clinics at the Jay and Carolyn Henges Wetlands Education and Conservation Center designed specifically for veterans, first responders, women, youth hunters, and first-time hunters. These clinics and hunts will provide safe,...

The partnership between Winchester Ammunition and GRHA continues to grow, strengthening a shared commitment to conservation, education, and the future of hunting in the St. Louis region and beyond. For more than 150 years, Winchester—The American Legend—has stood as a national leader in wildlife conservation, responsible shooting practices, and preserving our hunting heritage. Their legacy is woven into countless conservation efforts across North America, including right here at the Confluence. This year, Winchester is deepening its support for GRHA’s mission by donating 50 cases of non‑toxic shot for upcoming youth, first‑time hunter, veteran, women, and first‑responder hunts at the Jay and...

Over the past several months, our community has shown extraordinary commitment in responding to Ameren’s proposed transmission line routes near the Mississippi–Missouri River confluence. Your participation—submitting comments, attending Ameren’s open houses, sharing information with neighbors—has made a real impact. Ameren has heard you. They have revised their initial plan, and while this revision represents an improvement, our work is far from finished. First, we want to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who has taken the time to speak up. Your comments, your presence at public meetings, and your willingness to stay engaged have strengthened our collective voice. Ameren has...

Youth and first‑time hunters can now sign up for dove hunting opportunities through the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), marking another exciting step toward expanding access and strengthening the future of conservation. Apply Here: Apply now for September mentored dove hunts at Jay and Carolyn Henges Wetland Education and Conservation Center in St. Charles | Missouri Department of Conservation MDC led waterfowl hunt applications for the Henges Center will open later this summer. Great Rivers Habitat Alliance (GRHA) and MDC invite both youth and first-time hunters to participate in mentored dove hunts at the Jay and Carolyn Henges Wetland Education and...