News Archive February 2021Feb 5, 2021February Neighbor Night Features NGRREC’s Habitat Strike TeamJoin the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) for a Neighbor Nights virtual event, highlighting the work of the center’s Habitat Strike Team. January 2021Jan 29, 2021NGRREC Continues Work at Palisades Preserve, Hopes to Add Public ProgrammingThe National Great Rivers Research Education Center (NGRREC℠) and its collaborators continue efforts to restore and maintain the Palisades Nature Preserve near Grafton, with an eye on adding public programming at the site. Jan 27, 2021Illini Legend Deon Thomas Headlines RiverWatch Virtual FundraiserFighting Illini basketball great Deon Thomas will be the featured guest at an Illinois RiverWatch virtual fundraiser on Thursday, Feb. 18, hosted by the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center.Jan 22, 2021NGRREC Invites Public to Great Backyard Bird CountThe National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRRECsm) invites members of the community to take part in The Great Backyard Bird Count, an annual global event designed to better understand global bird populations and their annual migrations.Jan 15, 2021NGRREC’s Neighbor Nights Will Discuss CINet ProgramJoin the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRRECsm) for a Neighbor Nights virtual presentation on the purpose of the Critical Interface Network (CINet) project.December 2020Dec 11, 2020NGRREC to Lead Outreach and Education Component of NSF GrantThe National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) has been chosen to lead the outreach and education component of a $6 million grant awarded to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Civil and Environmental Engineering department.November 2020Nov 27, 2020Learn Why the Mississippi is Listed Among the World’s Great RiversJoin the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) for a Neighbor Nights virtual presentation on why the Mississippi River is considered one of the world’s great waterways.Nov 2, 2020Young Making Waves in NGRREC Education ProgrammingIt’s only been a couple months since Jen Young joined the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) as an environmental educator, but she’s already making waves of progress within the program, stationed at the Jerry F. Costello Confluence Field Station in East Alton.October 2020Oct 26, 2020L&C Restoration Ecology Student Lives His PassionHard work and a clear vision of what he wants to achieve has helped a Lewis and Clark Community College student step from his degree program into his field of choice.Oct 16, 2020Neighbor Nights Return to NGRREC in a Virtual FormatNeighbor Nights are back at the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) in a new virtual format.Oct 9, 2020NGRREC Interns Wrap-up Summer with Virtual SymposiumDespite the pandemic, Lewis and Clark Community College’s National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) summer internship was able to take place.September 2020Sep 17, 2020Illinois RiverWatch and NGRREC to Host Fall Speaker SeriesJoin the Illinois RiverWatch Network and the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) for the Illinois RiverWatch Fall Speaker Series, featuring free Zoom presentations from four different scientists.Sep 14, 2020Environmental Education Expert Joins NGRREC’s StaffA passion for rivers and a desire to promote place-based environmental education inspired the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center’s new Director of Environmental Education Sarah Fisher to join the team at the Jerry F. Costello Confluence Field Station in East Alton, Illinois.Sep 14, 2020Longtime RiverWatch Volunteer Raises Family of BiologistsA RiverWatch volunteer citizen scientist since 1998, Professor John Griffis, father of RiverWatch Technician Hannah-Beth Griffis, helped his children get their feet wet in biological studies in the creeks of the Fox and Des Plaines rivers’ watershed in northern Illinois.Sep 11, 2020New RiverWatch Technician Grew Up in the ProgramAlthough Hannah-Beth Griffis recently joined the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) as a RiverWatch Technician, she grew up in the program.July 2020Jul 17, 2020NGRREC Welcomes New RiverWatch Director, Stream EcologistWith a focus on Illinois’ water quality and an understanding of the region’s powerful connection to its rivers, Danelle Haake has joined the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center as the new Illinois RiverWatch director and stream ecologist.May 2020May 6, 2020Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair Canceled Amid PandemicThe 30th annual Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair, scheduled for June 6 at Pere Marquette State Park near Grafton on Illinois 100, has been canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.February 2020Feb 26, 2020NGRREC’s Conservation Team and L&C Student Intern Attend Midwest Fish and Wildlife ConferenceThe Lewis and Clark Community College National Great Rivers Research and Education Center’s (NGRREC℠) Conservation Team, including Land Conservation Specialists and the Habitat Strike Team (HST), recently attended the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference in Springfield, Illinois.November 2019Nov 22, 2019Local Habitat Strike Team Receives External Grants to Restore Habitat for Wildlife and Provide Lewis and Clark Student TrainingThe National Great Rivers Research and Education Center’s (NGRREC℠) Habitat Strike Team recently received funding totaling $353,632 from both the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) Habitat Fund and the Division of Natural Heritage to continue and expand their management capacity in the confluence region of Illinois.Nov 21, 2019Lieutenant Governor, Rivers of Illinois Coordinating Council Visit NGRREC Field StationThe combined Rivers of Illinois Coordinating Council, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, held its quarterly meeting at Lewis and Clark Community College’s National Great Rivers Research and Education Center Field Station, Nov. 20.September 2019Sep 27, 2019Students Soak Up Knowledge at Annual Water FestivalEighteen local fifth-grade classes explored interactive booths focusing on the importance of water during the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center’s 17th Annual Water Festival, Friday, Sept. 27.Sep 17, 2019NGRREC’s Land Conservation Specialist Program Expands to West-Central IllinoisThe National Great Rivers Research and Education Center’s (NGRREC℠) Land Conservation Specialist Program is announcing a new position based out of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office in Macomb, Illinois, at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Service Center.Sep 11, 2019Area Youths Participate in Illinois River Watch Stream SamplingDuring June and July, members from the Marshall-Putnam 4-H Tech Wizards STEM club and the Saratoga Leadaways Community Club participated in the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center’s Illinois River Watch stream sampling.August 2019Aug 14, 2019NGRREC and USACE to Discuss Emerald Ash Borer at SeminarLewis and Clark Community College’s National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) would like to address the public regarding an invasive species that was recently detected in the Mississippi River floodplain: Emerald Ash Borer.July 2019Jul 15, 2019NGRREC to Host Brewers and Biologists EventLewis and Clark Community College’s National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) invites the public to attend Brewers and Biologists from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 27, at the Jerry F. Costello Confluence Field Station located at One Confluence Way in East Alton.Jul 11, 2019NGRREC Interns Spending Summer on River Research ProjectsEighteen students from 15 schools in 11 different states visited Lewis and Clark Community College’s National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) at the Jerry F. Costello Confluence Field Station to begin the 2019 NGRREC Summer Internship program in late May.May 2019May 29, 2019NGRREC Presents Piasa Palisades Nature Hikes: Hill Prairie SeriesJoin Lewis and Clark Community College’s National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) on any Tuesday in June for an exclusive look at the Palisades Nature Preserve.May 22, 2019Teachers Encouraged to Register for Free One-day Swarovski Waterschool Educator WorkshopsThe Swarovski Waterschool USA program at the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) is looking for fifth through eighth-grade teachers (formal and non-formal educators) who want to educate their students about water and river systems, engage them in a community action project, and connect them to their global peers.May 21, 2019Children Ages 10-12 Invited to Free Waterschool CampThe Swarovski Waterschool USA program at the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) invites children ages 10-12 to participate in a free, one-week global education program about water, sanitation, hygiene and the environment.May 13, 2019Swarovski Waterschool Students Tour Missouri American Water PlantIn conjunction with the Swarovski Waterschool USA: Mississippi River, seventh grade students from Crossroads College Preparatory School in St. Louis toured the Missouri American Water plant in Chesterfield, May 8, in honor of National Drinking Water Week.April 2019Apr 24, 2019Learn More about Microplastics in Fresh Water at NGRRECJoin National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) scientists for an informative presentation on microplastics in fresh water during the next Neighbor Night from 5:30–8 p.m., Tuesday, May 7.Apr 19, 2019East Alton Research Center Receives Grant to Improve Wildlife HabitatA Riverbend habitat restoration program is among projects funded through the Illinois Habitat Fund Special Wildlife Funds Grant Program, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced Wednesday.Apr 5, 2019Illinois RiverWatch Offering Training Workshops for Volunteer Stream MonitorsThe Illinois RiverWatch Network is offering Illinois citizens and educators the chance to train to become citizen scientists and join the network of hundreds of volunteers throughout the state who monitor water quality of Illinois streams.March 2019Mar 25, 2019Students Dive Into World Water Day at Lewis and ClarkSwarovski Waterschool USA: Mississippi River celebrated World Water Day, Friday, March 22, with an interactive event that taught attendees about the importance of water.Mar 13, 2019Screening of ‘WATERSCHOOL’ Documentary to Coincide with World Water Day EventSwarovski Waterschool USA: Mississippi River is celebrating World Water Day with an interactive event and screening of the new documentary, “WATERSCHOOL,” which brings to life the importance of empowering youth around the globe to become water ambassadors.Mar 1, 2019Join NGRREC for Neighbor Nights in 2019Neighbor Nights is a community event series at the National Great Rivers and Education Center held on the first Tuesday of select months from 5:30-8 p.m. throughout the year.February 2019Feb 18, 2019L&C Experts Highlighted in Illinois Bicentennial PodcastIllinois Humanities’ “lllinois Turns 200” podcast kicks off in Alton.Feb 15, 2019MJCHF Awarded $95,000 National Recreation Foundation GrantThe Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities Foundation (MJCHF) will receive a $95,000 grant from the National Recreation Foundation to fund water recreation through the Swarovski Waterschool USA: Mississippi River and urban gardening efforts through the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville STEM Center in 2019. January 2019Jan 28, 2019University Professors Publish Ohio River Paper In Conservation JournalFor more than a decade now, Dr. Lois Wright Morton and Dr. Kenneth Olson have been working together to publish a series of articles on the impact of flooding on agricultural lands and on managing the river landscapes of North America.Jan 28, 2019In Cold Waters, Sharks’ and Fishes’ Slowed Metabolism May Benefit RivalsIn ecology, the diversity of species generally increases as you move toward the warmer latitudes of the tropics.Jan 8, 2019NGRREC’s Justin Shew Publishes Research Findings in the Journal of Applied EcologyThe Journal of Applied Ecology recently published an article about grassland-bird nest survival by National Great Rivers Research and Education Center’s (NGRREC℠) Conservation Program Manager Justin Shew.November 2018Nov 21, 2018Heartland to Partner with NGRREC in Planning for Wood River and Piasa Creek WatershedsHeartLands Conservancy, a nonprofit serving Southwestern Illinois, has received funding from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to develop two watershed plans to address drainage and water quality in the Wood River and Piasa Creek watersheds.October 2018Oct 31, 2018Screenings of New ‘WATERSCHOOL’ Documentary Open to PublicThe Swarovski Waterschool USA: Mississippi River is inviting the community to an upcoming premiere of a compelling new documentary, “WATERSCHOOL,” which brings to life the importance of empowering youth around the globe to become water ambassadors.Oct 1, 2018Students Fish for Knowledge at 16th Annual Lewis and Clark Water FestivalApproximately 500 fifth grade students from six different schools and 20 classes gathered at Lewis and Clark Community College for the 16th annual Water Festival, Friday, Sept. 28.August 2018Aug 27, 2018Eat, Drink, and Grow Native! and Neighbor Nights @NGRREC Collaborate on Special EventThe public is invited to a free Eat, Drink, and Grow Native! Neighbor Nights @NGRREC. June 2018Jun 29, 2018Local Experts Collaborate on Solution for Erosion at SSPWhile volunteering at Senior Services Plus in Alton, Thom Rhanor, of Godfrey, noticed damaging erosion near the greenhouse and decided to collaborate with other local experts to find a solution.Jun 4, 2018Children Ages 10-13 Invited to Free Waterschool CampThe Swarovski Waterschool USA program invites children ages 10-13 to participate in a free, one-week global education program about water, sanitation, hygiene and the environment.May 2018May 29, 2018Teachers Encouraged to Register for Free Two-day Swarovski Waterschool Educator WorkshopsThe Swarovski Waterschool USA program is looking for fifth through seventh-grade teachers (formal and non-formal educators) who want to educate their students about water and river systems and engage them in a community action project.May 15, 2018Fishing Event a Great Catch for Families at Pere Marquette State ParkFor a day filled with fun and educational activities for the entire family, check out the Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair on Saturday, June 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pere Marquette State Park near Grafton, on Illinois Route 100.April 2018Apr 27, 2018Environmental Educator to Discuss Stream StudiesHealthy Streams and Their Ecosystems will dive into how the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center uses macroinvertebrates to determine the water quality of streams across the state.