In 1999, a group of floodplain landowners became extremely concerned about the construction of a 500-year levee to protect a commercial development project alongside some of the best wetland habitats in the Confluence. Garnering support from other conservation interests, the group formed Great Rivers Habitat Alliance (GRHA) in 2000. The Alliance, which now has the support of more than forty state, federal, and nonprofit organizations, works to protect the floodplain from commercial development.

That same  partnership continued efforts through the early 2000’s with habitat programs, the development of DU’s Conservation Easement Program, and with GRHA instrumental in policy efforts and litigation bringing the City of St. Peters to court regarding their attempt to remove a tract of land from the Mississippi River floodplain. That case set precedence for other municipalities who attempted to do the same without doing their due diligence regarding the flood plain. In 2012, the partners got together again, and an MOU was signed amongst the leading groups and efforts to protect more than 30,000 acres enacted. Since its inception, much effort and great work has resulted from these partnerships. However, the ability of the Confluence Alliance to serve these vital ecological functions continues to be tested and remains at great risk. 

Approximately 90% of the region’s natural wetland communities have been lost to man’s activities, so there is much opportunity to restore habitat. Locks and dams, dredging and ditching and levee construction continue to alter the hydrology; while locally growing municipalities still view the floodplain as an expansion zone for eCommerce warehouses, commercial buildings, homes, airports and shopping malls. 

As we approach GRHA’s 25th anniversary it was time to “get the band back together”, measure accomplishments and renew the vision and goals for the future.

With that in mind, on July 22, Great Rivers Habitat Alliance hosted the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS/USDA) and Ducks Unlimited (DU) to discuss development of a renewed plan and vision for the future and to solicit renewed interest from the partners. In attendance from MDC included Director, Jason Sumners, Deputy Director, Aaron Jefferies, Wetlands Ecologist, Frank Nelson, Regional Resource Manager, Gary Calvert, and Commissioner, Ray Wagner, Jr. In attendance from Ducks Unlimited was CEO, Adam Putnam, COO, Nick Wiley and Missouri Conservation Director, Mark Flaspohler. Shawn Duckworth represented NRCS/USDA and representing GRHA were Chairman, Chris Hyams, President, David Bub, Executive Director, Mike Checkett, Founding Board member, Jim Blair, and board members, Patrick Wittenbrink, Lincoln Gray, and Philip von Gontard.

Much progress was made, and the group agreed unanimously to continue to move forward with renewed interest to increase current efforts and develop new programs. The Confluence remains one of the largest and most important privately owned conservation complexes in the nation. The Confluence carries waters from over half of the United States, serves vital ecological functions, such as storage and purification of floodwaters, and provides critically important migration habitat to over 250 species of waterfowl, wading birds and neo-tropical migrant songbirds.  We can assure you GRHA will continue to lead this effort with the hope of making the Confluence a national priority for all. Stay tuned for more on this effort as we hope to unveil more about the vision for the future at the October 17, 2024 Gala.

Special thanks to the members of the Cuivre Club for hosting the meeting.