PRESERVING THE CONFLUENCE FLOODPLAIN SINCE 2000 |
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GRHA Moves Forward to Close on Future Floodplain Conservation and Education Area |
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In 2022, Great Rivers Habitat Alliance embarked on an exciting new venture to protect more than 181 acres of floodplain habitat along the Mississippi River and create the GRHA Foster-Rollins Floodplain Conservation and Education Area. This property is just south of St. Louis and adjoining Cliff Cave County Park and will be the largest property owned by GRHA.
Late in 2022, the properties owners, Tom Rollins and George Foster, approached GRHA with the idea of conserving the property by selling the property to GRHA at a significant savings. Great Rivers Habitat Alliance proposed the creation of a conservation and educational showcase on the 181-acres of floodplain designed to meet the mission of GRHA and celebrate the legacy of current owners, George Foster and Thomas Rollins. This site possesses aesthetic views of the Mississippi River, the bluffs, and a biologically diverse floodplain environment adjacent to and within the Cliff Cave Natural Heritage County Park.
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Expanded Partnership - GRHA Helps Close First Easement in 2023
GRHA partners with Ducks Unlimited in many ways, including the Confluence Conservation Easement Program. In 2003, in response to the growing interest created by GRHA, Ducks Unlimited identified the Confluence as a conservation priority. When approached by GRHA, DU proposed developing a land protection strategy that focused on protecting 30,000 acres of private duck clubs, and the Confluence Conservation Easement program was hatched. These easements, held by Ducks Unlimited through the Wetlands America Trust, preserve the land in perpetuity, with a goal of eventually assembling enough parcels to effectively create a wall of protection against commercial development in the Confluence.
History will credit GRHA as the catalyst and leadership foundation for creating what has become a very active and effective Confluence Conservation Easement partnership. GRHA initially supported the program by overall promotion and stewardship including many of GRHA’s board members and supporters enrolling their properties into a Conservation easement. To-date, in partnership, this program has perpetually protected more than 12,000 acres on 36 properties.
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GRHA Hosts DU Magazine Outdoor Writer
In late November, GRHA staff and Board members helped host outdoor writer T. Edward Nickens “Eddie” and his photographer Frank Edwards on several hunts and tours of the Confluence. Eddie and his photographer were in town to write an upcoming article for the Ducks Unlimited magazine. The article will highlight the importance of the Confluence, its history and the partnership between GRHA and DU.
The Over & Under and Quacker hunt clubs owned by the Holton and Costello families were kind enough to provide lodging and some quality hunts while the group was in town. Rounding out the support team was DU’s Director of Development Nathan Hogg; Easement Specialist, Steve Spezia; and GRHA’s Executive Director, Mike Checkett.
The Confluence crew toured the Dardenne and Raccoon Ranch clubs and were exposed to the development threats that are inching their way closer each year. They were able to spend time with members of the Holton and Hager families, as well as area club managers, Levi Baur and Andy Taylor. The tour brought a new appreciation to Eddie for the Confluence, its importance to waterfowl and the threats remaining. They were even able to make a quick stop at GRHA Board member, Cody Stokes, iconic waterfowl store, Divebomb Industries. Look for the story in Ducks Unlimited magazine sometime in 2024.
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Great Fun again at the 9th Annual GRHA/DU Partnership Gala
The Confluence is a unique 291,000-acre wetland system formed where the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers meet--an area known as the Confluence Floodplain. In addition to its importance for floodwater storage and agricultural production, this area has attracted migratory birds for centuries and boasts a rich waterfowl hunting tradition. Urban development continues to be the greatest threat to this region. To address this concern, Great Rivers Habitat Alliance and Ducks Unlimited team up with farmers, duck clubs, and other land stewards to protect land-use practices important to waterfowl and people.
To support that work, GRHA and Ducks Unlimited came together again on October 12 for the 9th annual fundraising event. Close to 400 people attended, and the event netted close to $200,000 for support of conservation work in the Confluence through GRHA’s many programs and DU's Big Rivers Initiative. This partnership over the years has raised more than $1.5 million dollars for conservation in the Confluence region.
As always, the event was highlighted by a live auction with unique firearms, one-of-a-kind trips, and other items. Other festivities included a gun raffle, themed table raffle, where the winner takes all, and a silent auction that would rival some live auctions. The food was once again outstanding and service by the Hilton St. Louis- Frontenac impeccable. We could not put on such an amazing event without our great committee led by Jason Cleveland (GRHA) and Jane Bell (DU), along with some amazing sponsors. Special thanks to Adventures Unknown, Annie Gunns, Boss Shotgun Shells, C Bennett, CK Power, Dierberg-Starlane Vineyards, Divebomb Industries, Foam Supplies Inc., Full Care, Genovese Jewelers, Kind Goods, Forrest Keeling Nursery, Salt n Smoke, Snow Pros, Tom James, Top Tier Outdoors, Tornado Alley Waterfowl, Trophy Properties & Auction, Webfoot Kennels, Winchester, and Purina.
Next year’s event is again planned for early October. Stay tuned for further developments as we plan the 10th Anniversary event. You know it’s going to be a big one!
Picture Gallery at:
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Inaugural Wild Game Dinner in 2024
Throughout the year GRHA holds many events to fundraise and raise awareness for its critical mission. These include the Wetlands Habitat Management Workshop, Sporting Clays shoot, and Golf Tournaments. In 2024, GRHA will add to that event list when the Development Board hosts a Wild Game Dinner at the St. Louis Racquet Club on March 7, 2024. The event will showcase Chef Shawn’s kitchen culinary skills and celebrate the harvest of wild game from the Confluence and around North America. Delicacies likely to appear on the menu will include elk, whitetail deer, quail, pheasant, goose, salmon, trout, and of course duck!
The Wild Game Dinner event will be a great time to brag about that great shot made, revel in fellowship, and relive the past fall seasons blessings and memories.
The event will begin at 5:30pm with cocktails and passed appetizers followed by a multicourse dinner. Of course, there will be a GRHA store to provide a chance to purchase some GRHA gear, a small silent auction and gun raffle to add to the fun and help raise money for our critical mission.
Limited tickets are available so be sure to purchase them quickly!
We hope to see you there!
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Donate to the GRHA Mission
and our organization goals!
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NEW ARRIVAL! Premium Heavy Woodland Fleece Pullover – Saddle Brown
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NEW ARRIVAL! Realtree Max-5 Six Panel Structured Camo Cap
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Great Rivers Habitat Alliance was founded in 2000 to directly combat the
commercial development of the 100-year Confluence Floodplain through policy,
protection, conservation, public awareness and education. Its vision is a natural floodplain
protected for the benefit of all. For more information on our work, visit www.grha.org.
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Great Rivers Habitat Alliance | GRHA.org
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