Weaving multiple uses into sustainable river communities

August 21-23, 2008 • i wireless Center • Moline, Illinois

The Upper Mississippi River Conference will be held Aug. 21-23, 2008, at the i Wireless Center, Moline.

River Action – a non-profit organization that strives to foster the environmental, economic, and cultural vitality of the Mississippi River and its riverfront in the Quad City region – with the support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Coast Guard are the lead sponsors of the first annual Upper Mississippi River Conference.

Attendees are expected to include city planners, elected officials, landscape architects, architects, environmental groups, economic developers and environmental educators to hear best-case studies in riverfront design programs and projects, and be provided a resource guide of federal and state programs integral to implementing future projects. Additional assistance for the conference is being provided by Western Illinois University, Augustana College, the University of Iowa, Natural Land Institute, Bi-State Regional Commission, and the offices of local congressmen and senators.

The conference begins with a welcoming reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thurs., Aug. 21. The reception is sponsored by Western Illinois University. Exhibitors will display in the lobby of i wireless Center.

A casual get-acquainted catfish fry, sponsored by Heart of America Restaurants and other area restaurants, follows on the riverfront.

Marcia Maslonek of the Wildlife Habitat Council will be the keynote speaker at the Opening Plenary Session Friday. Attendees will learn of the success corporations are realizing by partnering with conservation organizations and communities to create and enhance wildlife habitat on their unused lands.

Concurrent sessions after the opening address will include "Natural Resources and Environmental Planning," "River Recreation Opportunities and How They Are Realized," and "Urban Waterfront Needs in the Ecological City."

Jeffrey Potter, consultant from the Biodiversity Group, will share information from a 2007 survey of 1,200 citizens on the Upper Mississippi River to begin the afternoon session Friday. And, at 3:45 p.m. a field trip using a combination of the Channel Cat Water Taxi and a bus will visit Sylvan Slough, Sylvan Island, the City of Rock Island's bioretention and rain garden projects, along with a stop at the Lock and Dam 15 Visitors Center on Arsenal Island.

The Closing Plenary Speaker is Richard Louv, author 'Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder.' This session is open to the public as well as conference attendees.