This year, GRHA hosted youth, first-time hunter, women, veteran, and first-responder hunts at the Henges Center. Through the Missouri Department of Conservations (MDC) Mentored Hunt program, youth and first-time hunters were introduced to the traditions of waterfowl hunting while learning conservation ethics. For many, it was their first sunrise over the marsh, their first encounter with waterfowl, and their very first harvest. Watching excitement and confidence growing in these new hunters reinforces why programs like this must continue. These hunts also provided opportunities to thank our community’s heroes (veterans and first responders).  We are grateful for the chance to give...

The 2025 Ducks Unlimited/Great Rivers Habitat Alliance Partnership Gala was a special evening celebrating conservation, community, and 25 years of GRHA’s commitment to protecting the Confluence. Supporters, partners, and friends gathered to honor the impact made over the past quarter century—and the important work still ahead. Guests enjoyed dinner, fellowship, exciting live and silent auctions, along with stories highlighting GRHA’s conservation efforts across the Confluence. From wetland restoration and land protection to youth education and mentored hunting opportunities, the program showcased how donor support directly advances meaningful, on-the-ground conservation. Thanks to the generosity of attendees, sponsors, volunteers, and partners, the...

Saturday, October 11 marked a major milestone for GRHA as we celebrated the Ribbon Cutting for the Jay and Carolyn Henges Wetlands Education and Conservation Center—a project that reflects years of vision, partnership, and commitment to the Confluence region. This new Center represents the first phase of GRHA’s long‑term plan to expand conservation education, deepen community engagement, and strengthen stewardship of the Confluence floodplains. This achievement was made possible through the foundational support of the Jay Henges Charitable Trust, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF)—partners who share GRHA’s mission...

This past Saturday, Great Rivers Habitat Alliance, in partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation, hosted the third and final mentored dove hunt of the season at the Jay and Carolyn Henges Wetland Education and Conservation Center. We were proud to welcome five first-time adult hunters and five youth participants for a morning filled with opportunities, plenty of birds, and countless smiles. For many, this was their first introduction to the excitement of hunting and the conservation mission that sustains it. Following the hunt, participants gathered for a BBQ lunch of hamburgers and hotdogs, hosted by GRHA, where hunters and...

J. Michael Checkett, Executive Director of the Great Rivers Habitat Alliance Originally published Sep 7, 2025 by St. Louis Post-Dispatch See Original Published Op-Ed here and here St. Charles City Council’s recent decision to enact a one-year moratorium on data center development within city limits and the Elm Point well field district is a commendable step toward protecting public health and environmental integrity. But let us be clear: a temporary pause is not a solution. It is a warning bell — and one that must be answered with permanent protections and expanded safeguards for the entire 100-year floodplain. Project Cumulus, the proposed...

A Tragedy Foretold: Why We Must Stop Building in the 100-Year Floodplain The July 4 Guadalupe River flood that devastated Camp Mystic in Kerr County, Texas, was more than a natural disaster—it was a preventable tragedy. At least 129 lives were lost, many of them children, as floodwaters surged through cabins built in a known flood zone. But this was not the first time we’ve seen such devastation. Thirty years ago, the Great Flood of 1993 created similar devastation and sent a similar warning—one we’ve tragically failed to heed. Echoes of 1993: A River’s Fury Remembered On July 30, 1993,...

The release of the 2025 U.S. State of the Birds report was announced in March at the 90th annual North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. The report, produced by a coalition of leading science and conservation organizations, reveals continued widespread declines in American bird populations across all mainland and marine habitats, with 229 species requiring urgent conservation action. The report comes five years after the landmark 2019 study that documented the loss of 3 billion birds in North America over 50 years. Key findings from the new report show that more than one-third of U.S. bird species...

As we celebrate GRHA’s 25th anniversary, this year’s events have been a true reflection of the strength, generosity, and energy of our conservation community. From February through July, supporters came together for three unforgettable events that raised vital funds and built momentum for what promises to be an impactful fall season. None of these efforts would be possible without the leadership and dedication of our Development Board members, who serve on and lead our event committees. Their time, energy, and commitment continue to shape GRHA’s success and extend our reach across the Confluence region and beyond. Here is a look...

Dear Friends of the Confluence, As fall settles in across the floodplain, we are reminded of how much we have to be thankful for—and how much more we’re working toward together. From the crisp mornings of dove season to the anticipation of migrating ducks overhead, this time of year reconnects us to the land, the legacy, and the community that make the Confluence so special. It’s also a season of reflection and renewal. Thanks to your continued support, we’ve seen real wins for conservation this year. The withdrawal of the proposed data center project was a major victory for floodplain...

In a welcome turn for conservation advocates, the proposed “Project Cumulus” data processing center has been withdrawn from consideration in St. Charles County’s 100-year floodplain—a decision that marks a small but meaningful win for the Confluence region. The Great Rivers Habitat Alliance (GRHA) raised strong objections to the project, citing irreversible threats to water safety, wetland integrity, and flood resilience. The center’s proximity to the Elm Point groundwater well field and jurisdictional wetlands posed serious risks, especially given the potential for hazardous chemical storage and massive infrastructure demands. GRHA’s letter to county officials emphasized the ecological and cultural significance of...

The 2025 GRHA Wetlands Habitat & Management Workshop, held July 28–30, was an outstanding success—completely sold out and celebrated by attendees for its top-tier instruction and immersive content. As part of GRHA’s Public Awareness and Education pillar, the annual workshop provides landowners and property managers with practical training on habitat management fundamentals and effective techniques for waterfowl hunting properties. Combining classroom presentations with on-site field tours, the workshop offers a deep dive into the ecology of waterfowl and wetlands, placing special focus on moist-soil wetland types. Topics include: Landscape considerations across moist-soil, agriculture, forest, shrub-scrub, and emergent habitats. Hunting pressure dynamics...

  By Dan Zarlenga St. CHARLES, Mo.— The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Great Rivers Habitat Alliance (GRHA) will launch a series of mentored hunting opportunities at the new Jay and Carolyn Henges Wetland Education and Conservation Center this fall. These hunts are designed to welcome and support youth and first-time hunters, helping them gain confidence and skills in a safe, supportive environment. The center is located on the recently acquired GRHA property between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers in St. Charles County. MDC provided financial assistance to help with the acquisition. It consists of 785-acres on Missouri’s...