Join us in Grafton for our 20th anniversary!
Prairie State Conservation Coalition is hosting our Annual Land Conservation Conference at the beautiful Pere Marquette State Park and Conference Center in downstate Grafton, Illinois. This more than 8,000-acre park is located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers and offers spectacular outdoor views and experiences.
Our conferences have grown each year and offer important networking opportunities to connect with the conservation community. Hear from experts on topics such as land conservation and restoration, collaborating with partners and legislators, and communicating the importance of this work.
Our members protect, restore, and steward the diverse landscapes that characterize our state as well as advocating for strong statewide conservation policies. Collectively, our conservation efforts in Illinois have preserved more than 250,000 acres of land, most of which is open to and shared with the public.
A block of rooms is available at the Lodge for conference attendees at $129/night. Space is limited, so don’t wait to book your room!
Our agenda offers a variety of programs
Restoration, agriculture, climate change, policy updates, and conservation funding
This three-day conference covers a lot of ground, starting off with Land Trust Day and concurrent workshops on a variety of topics before dinner the first night. Following a buffet breakfast (included) on Thursday, we’ll feature several panels focusing on local issues, partnerships and collaborations with Indigenous People, and restoration partners. The afternoon offers your choice of one of four exciting local field trips listed below before enjoying our buffet dinner (included) and a 20th Anniversary Celebration that includes our origin story as told by some of our founders. Following Friday’s breakfast (included), we’ll touch on local policy updates and national updates before sharing conservation funding in Illinois including PSCC’s new grant program. Vegetarian options are offered with all included meals. For specific dietary needs, please contact us.
Take a look at the field trips available to you Thursday afternoon:
Principia College
Principia College in Elsah, Illinois is perched on the limestone bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River near its confluence with the Illinois River. At approximately 2,700 acres, the Principia campus is one of the largest private campuses in the state of Illinois. Biology Department professors Dr. Greg Bruland and Dr. Chrissy McAllister (both former board members of Great Rivers Land Trust) will lead a tour highlighting prairie restoration, prescribed fire, rattlesnake research, CRP management, archaeology, wetlands, and threatened and endangered species protection.
The views alone are worth the trip.
NGRREC/National Great Rivers Museum
The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) is located on the Mississippi River. Dr. Lyle Guyon and Dr. Justin Shew will lead a tour of the LEED certified research facility and discuss the extensive terrestrial and aquatic research their staff conducts in many parts of the state. They will also highlight their interactions with entities such as the Corps of Engineers, USDA, University of Illinois, Lewis & Clark Community College, and various land trusts. After visiting the NGRREC facility, tour participants may also explore the National Great Rivers Museum next door at the Melvin Price Lock and Dam.
Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge
Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1958, is located across the Illinois River from Pere Marquette State Park at the southern tip of Calhoun County near the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. Refuge manager, Charlie Deutsch, will lead the group on a site visit. Charlie has spent his career managing public lands in the region working for both the Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 9,000 acres of wetlands, open water, bottomland forest, and prairies that provide habitat for a plethora of wildlife including over 300 species of birds
Pere Marquette State Park Hiking Trails
Pere Marquette State Park is one of the largest state parks in Illinois consisting of over 8,000 acres. The park, located entirely in Jersey County, Illinois, was established in 1931 and includes the grand lodge and cabins that were built by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC). There are numerous options available for those wishing to hike close to the lodge, or longer hikes for those looking to explore deeper into nature. Site interpreter, Scott Isringhausen, will be at the visitor center starting point to highlight features of the park and will lead a guided hike, or you may explore the park on your own.