GRHA Winter 2023 eNewsetter

GRHA eNewsletter

WINTER 2023 | ISSUE II

A note from GRHA's Executive Director

Recently I was asked to discuss the Confluence and GRHA as a podcast guest with longtime friend, Ramsey Russell founder of Getducks.com. One of the questions asked was: Why is the Confluence important and why should southern duck hunters who are worried about shortstopping appreciate it?

It’s no secret to us why the Confluence is important, the southern duck hunter however, may not be aware or appreciative of the Confluences importance (Ramsey was unaware until his trip this past fall) and more concerned with Missouri short stopping ducks.

I answered in the context of migration explaining to him the conservation and waterfowling traditions from as far back as the 1880’s, conservation ethic, the private and public refuges, the agriculture and natural resources provided, and the threats to those resources (90% of Missouri’s wetlands have been lost).

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PRESERVING THE CONFLUENCE FLOODPLAIN SINCE 2000

GRHA fights Wellfield proposals on Whistling Wings Duck Club and 100-year floodplain

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There is nothing more important than clean water, which is the reason clean water is part of Great Rivers Habitat Alliance mission:

Protecting the 100-year Confluence floodplain for the benefit of wildlife, historic waterfowling, agriculture, clean water and people.

Clean water will always be a sensitive topic and GRHA certainly understands the importance and dilemma facing the City of St. Charles and their efforts to solve their drinking water contamination issues. However, building new wells and potentially a treatment plant on Whistling Wings duck club and/or anywhere in the 100yr floodplain is not the answer.

GRHA received disappointing news in early December of the City of St. Charles’ plan to solve the drinking water issues by relocating their drinking water well field on the Whistling Wings Duck Club property. That plan was made even more disappointing as they planned to ignore the Conservation easement and use eminent domain to acquire the necessary property.

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GRHA partners on 1,531 acre wetland project at Clarence Cannon NWR

On October 15, 2022, Great Rivers Habitat Alliance, Ducks Unlimited (DU), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service celebrated the conservation work of St. Louis native John R. Belz (1941-2013) at Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) just outside of ANNADA, Mo. with a plaque dedication for a project completed in his honor.

The 3,750-acre Clarence Cannon NWR is on the floodplain of the Mississippi River, adjacent to Pool No. 25 in Pike County. The refuge’s diversity of habitats supports waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds and songbirds. Clarence Cannon also provides habitat for over 200 species of migratory birds, and duck populations can exceed 100,000 during fall and spring migrations.

The newly named John R. Belz wetland project (1,531 acres) improved water management capability and restored the refuge's natural water flow patterns and drainage regimes. This project included replacing an outdated and failing refuge pump station, reconfiguring wetland management units, installing wetland management units and installing a new water-control structure. This work aimed to restore natural water flow to the refuge while also reducing flood damage to levees during flood events. The results are improved habitat conditions and food resources for several priority wildlife species and a reduction in annual maintenance and costs associated with managing the refuge.

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GRHA recognized for its role in Confluence at Missouri Wetlands Summit

GRHA Executive Director, Mike Checkett attended the Missouri Wetlands Summit held February 1-3rd. The event was put on by a committee of wetland and waterfowl all-stars including Ken Babcock, George Seek, Mickey Heitmeyer, Dave Graber and many more. The presenters were equally storied and qualified. More than 350 wetland and waterfowl mangers, state and federal agency, NGO, University, staff, and administrators attended from 15 states representing the ACOE, USFWS, State Agencies, many NGOs like DU, Prairie Foundation, Audubon, TNC and 20 landowners. The Conservation Federation of Missouri and the Missouri Department of Conservation co-hosted the event.

Click here to see the Agenda!

The topics were important, timely, visionary, and included, as it should the Confluence. A session titled: Missouri/Mississippi River Confluence Partnership: A national Success Story covered important programs like MAWI, WRP, Conservation Easements, and the Missouri/Mississippi River Confluence Partnership. During that presentation, GRHA was recognized for our many contributions to the partnership and conservation of the Confluence.

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GRHA helps partners close on Critical Wetlands Habitat Acquisition in Mississippi Watershed

With the assistance of GRHA, a partnership group led by Ducks Unlimited (DU) was able to close in February on a threatened property adjacent to the Richard Bong State Recreation Area within the Mississippi Watershed.

DU, in partnership with the Bong Naturalists Association (BNA), identified an urgent opportunity for protecting critical habitat on land adjacent to the Richard Bong State Recreation Area in Kansasville, Wisconsin (Kenosha County). This conservation project addressed a true, immediate threat of losing public access land and the wildlife habitat connectivity it supports.

DU came to GRHA with a plan to purchase and hold the land, with the long-term plan to donate it to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to incorporate into the Richard Bong State Recreation Area. The acquisition would secure this important property for the public, expand the recreational area’s footprint and preserve wildlife habitat.

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2023 Sporting Clays Shoot set for April 6

GRHA holds an Annual Sporting Clays Shoot each spring at the beautiful Strathalbyn Farms Club www.strathalbynfarm.com. Strathalbyn Farms Club is home to some of the finest outdoor shooting facilities in the St. Louis area. The club provides the perfect setting for a memorable outing. Shooting facilities at the club include a 14-stand sporting clays course woven into the woods with each stand presenting unique and challenging shots from multiple angles. The course is set for regular shooters but will have a few challenges along the way!

At the GRHA shoot we start out the day with a two-man flurry thrown at the 5-stand field with the top team winning a great prize. We provide a small snack before the shoot and heavy appetizers and drinks are included following the shoot. Of course, the food is always incredible.

This is a team event, but we will have opportunities for individuals to be assigned to a team. This is a fun shoot but there is room for competition with awards, prizes, raffles and a small live auction.

Each year we have some incredible guns, gear and local club hunts to raffle. There will be goody bags for each shooter, awards for two flights, Top Gun, and an attendance raffle including great gear from our sponsors Top Tier Outdoors and Divebomb Industries.

Registration is $1,000 per 4-man team. There are also opportunities to sponsor stations and underwrite awards and prizes.

The event sells out each year so be sure to get your team in early. All proceeds benefit Great Rivers Habitat Alliance and its Mission: Protecting the 100-year Confluence floodplain for the benefit of wildlife, historic waterfowling, agriculture, clean water, and people.