In addition to its comprehensive research and education programs, the Center provides a forum for scholars and interested parties from around the world to share research and collaborate on solving river-related issues during public symposia. 

The Bottomland Ecosystem Restoration Management conference held in March 2011 was well attended by representatives from state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and additional stakeholders from the Upper Mississippi River System as well as the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley.  Around 175 folks from 17 states made the journey to Collinsville for two full days of presentations and facilitated discussion sessions.

This event was the sixth in a series of river conferences hosted in part by the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center and co-hosted with the U.S. Forest Service Northeastern Region, State and Private Forests.

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The Visions of a Sustainable Mississippi River: The Confluence of Ecological, Econoomic, and Cultural Values conference was held August 6, 2009 in Collinsville, Illinois. A diverse group of Mississippi River stakeholders, researchers, and natural resource professionals participated in presentations, panel discussions, and workshops on four topics: (1) ecosystem services and the economic value of the Mississippi river; (2) floodplain connectivity, flood management and the hydrologic regime; (3) biofuel production in the Mississippi River Basin; and (4) clean water and the Mississippi River.

The conference concluded with a Policy Forum hosted by Congressman Jerry F. Costello where policy recommendations developed during the workshops were presented to elected officials and agency decision makers

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Proceedings

The Illinois' Cache River: Advancing the Restoration of an Internationally Significant Wetland Ecosystem conference was held August 10-12, 2006 at the John A. Logan Community College in Carterville, Illinois and co-organized by the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center and the Cache River Wetlands Joint Venture Partnership.

The Cache River in southern Illinois is one of just 23 designated Wetlands of International Significance in the U.S., yet it was nearly lost to timber cutting and drainage for agricultural development in the 1970s. The first day of the Symposium reviewed progress in restoring a 60,000-acre corridor along 50 miles of the river and described the economic impacts on local communities. A Legislatoros' Luncheon acknowledged elected officials who assisted the recovery effort. Experts and members of the public contributed to development of future restoration strategies in a roundtable discussion. The conference concluded with tours of the Cache River conducted by local experts.

Lessons from the Deep History & Recent History of the Missouri, Illinois, and Mississippi River

Nationally-known scientists used geological, archeological and historical records to examine patterns in floods, droughts, and other manifestations of climate change. Speakers noted contributions of humans to the historical changes, and the effects of prehistorical and historical changes on human societies. An improved understanding of these interactions between humans and climate should contribute to reduction of adverse impacts that humans can control and to better preparation for impacts that are beyond human control.

Dr. Rip Sparks and Dr. Jane Buikstra of the Center for American Archeology co-organized sessions 36 and 41 of this International Conference as part of the International Conference on Rivers & Civlization: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Major River Basins. The conference was held on June 28, 2006 in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

 A Confluence of Interests: Nature and Tourism in River Cities and rural Areas

Ted Eubanks, President of Fermata, Inc., and a nationally-known consultant in development of eco-tourism gave the keynote address, "What Can Nature-Based and Culture-Based Tourism Do for Your Community?" Afternoon sessions included: Planning Tools for Communities; How to Turn Culture and Nature into a Business; and How to Assess and Profile Your Community.