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 outdoorsman whose devotion to Missouri’s wetlands ran deeper than the rivers that define the Confluence. His passion for conservation was not theoretical; it was lived. Whether restoring habitat, planting fields, hunting alongside friends, or teaching the next generation, Adolphus embodied stewardship in its purest form. His commitment to protecting the Confluence floodplain for future generations continues to inspire every facet of GRHA’s work.

Adolphus’s leadership was instrumental in establishing GRHA’s purpose and direction. He championed bold conservation strategies, forged collaborative partnerships, and infused GRHA’s mission with urgency, energy, and heart. His influence helped launch the inaugural GRHA–DU Partnership Gala in 2014, an event that has now raised more than $2,000,000 for conservation efforts in the Confluence region. Today, that partnership remains strong, advancing habitat protection, youth education, and policy initiatives that safeguard the wetlands he loved.

The 2026 Gala will serve as a tribute to Adolphus’s legacy, celebrating his life, honoring his contributions, and reaffirming GRHA’s commitment to the mission he helped build. His devotion to family, community, and conservation will be reflected throughout the evening as supporters, partners, and friends gather to continue the work he championed and a portion of the events proceeds will go directly to securing the GRHA’s new Jay and Carolyn Henges Wetlands Education and Conservation Center.

Guests will enjoy an inspiring program, exceptional auction items, and the opportunity to support GRHA and DU’s shared conservation goals. Sponsorship and underwriting opportunities remain available for those wishing to honor Adolphus’s legacy in a meaningful way.

Tickets and table packages—including Confluence, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond levels—are now available online.

As we prepare for this special evening, GRHA remains steadfast in its commitment to carrying forward Adolphus’s vision. His legacy lives on in every acre protected, every partnership strengthened, and every young conservationist inspired.

We look forward to gathering with you this October to celebrate a remarkable life and continue the work that meant so much to him.