In 2023, Great Rivers Habitat Alliance (GRHA) proposed the establishment of a Conservation and Educational partnership on the former private duck club, Whistling Wings. This proposal was actualized when GRHA Board member Jim Blair IV and Ducks Unlimited (DU) CEO Adam Putnam announced at the October 17th GRHA/DU Partnership Gala and signed a contract for GRHA to acquire the Whistling Wings Property from DU.

This initiative seeks to align with the mission and vision of GRHA, DU, and its newest partner, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), celebrating and protecting the wildlife habitat and hunting heritage of the Confluence and Whistling Wings in perpetuity.

In short, the initiative will:

1. Ensure the property is protected from development…forever… and that the refuge is maintained and its habitat value bettered through increased management for the good of migratory waterfowl. 
2. Provide opportunities for the public to enjoy through controlled use and limited public hunting opportunities, workshops, and educational opportunities. We are exploring all use opportunities. 
3. Provide a place for education and research while showcasing the importance of floodplains including their best uses which are: natural habitats, recreational properties, and agriculture. 

The 785-acre Whistling Wings property, 330 acres of which are inviolate refuge, is located in the 100-year floodplain of the Mississippi River in St. Charles County. Established as a Duck Club in 1958 by Mo Buder, this location has served as a sanctuary for migrating birds since its inception and remains vital for the future of the Confluence as a migration corridor for birds during fall and spring, as well as numerous other wildlife species. GRHA will uphold the refuge for the benefit of migratory birds.

It is noteworthy that in 2022, GRHA helped DU resist an effort by the City of St. Charles to acquire the property through eminent domain for development into a drinking water well field. The new partnership with MDC will provide another level of protection from any future city efforts.

Situated on the “Eastern Front” of urban expansion from the City of St. Charles, the site plays a crucial role in stopping development from the east and sustaining historic waterfowl use, hunting heritage, and the mission of GRHA in the Confluence Focus Area.

A primary goal of the project is to foster connections between people and the Mississippi River, emphasizing America’s significant river floodplains. The property will showcase river floodplain practices, including agriculture, recreation, and natural wildlife habitat management. GRHA will maintain agricultural operations while enhancing natural habitats, creating an outdoor haven for both people and wildlife, and demonstrating the importance of floodplains for flood storage, clean air, clean water, wildlife, and human welfare.

The property acquisition was finalized by GRHA in January, made possible by an initial contribution from the Jay Henges Charitable Trust. GRHA is actively raising additional funds for acquisition and restoration activities.

The JAY AND CAROLYN HENGES WETLAND Education and conservation center will enable the creation of innovative conservation, education, and research partnerships. These partnerships will provide curriculum opportunities to develop and scale technology and knowledge that ensures both people and nature thrive. Increased management by our habitat experts, employing cutting-edge wetland management techniques and extending the management into the critical spring migration period, will maximize the property’s benefit to wildlife. We will also develop innovative partnerships to celebrate the wildlife and hunting heritage of the Confluence and safeguard its protection in perpetuity. Future public hunting and outdoor educational opportunities will provide much-needed public access focused on hunter recruitment, with special opportunities envisioned for youth, first responders, veterans, women, educators, and other groups. The site currently hosts millions of migratory birds annually and will now welcome people to enjoy the wonders of floodplains, wetlands, and the spectacle of spring and fall migrations. We hope you will join GRHA in our excitement and support this trailblazing vision for public/private wildlife conservation partnerships.

GRHA is seeking to cultivate partnerships in conservation management, education research, and demonstration uses through existing and new educational programming. Recently, GRHA and the Missouri Department of Conservation signed a public/private partnership agreement to further this effort.

SEE PRESS RELEASE FROM MDC HERE: MDC is working with Great River Habitat Alliance to protect and enhance waterfowl opportunities in St. Louis area | Missouri Department of Conservation

Stay tuned for more exciting partnerships and developments!