Environmental Education and Public Engagement

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) strongly emphasizes education as a part of its mission. The Center’s educational programs and activities are aligned with the Illinois Learning Standards and North American Association for Environmental Education Guidelines for Excellence. NGRREC employs full-time environmental educators responsible for developing and delivering a variety of comprehensive education and outreach programs that target K-12 students, formal and non-formal educators, and the public.

Research findings from NGRREC staff and others help guide the Center’s education programs to increase public understanding of big rivers, their watersheds and floodplains, and the interaction between the rivers and their human, plant, and slots animal communities. The results are also presented at workshops and symposia on topics including river health, river communities, and ecological restoration.

For more information about our education programs, contact Natalie Marioni at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (618) 468-2783.

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