Great Rivers Habitat Alliance

GRHA had the opportunity yesterday to present to the St. Peters Mayor and Board of Aldermen about the exciting work happening in the Confluence through our partnership with St. Charles County.

The presentation highlighted GRHA's mission in the Confluence, the future park project, and the importance of protecting this unique landscape for future generations.

We are grateful for the invitation to speak from Mayor Len Pagano and the Board of Aldermen. It was a valuable opportunity to continue building relationships and sharing the vision for what this project can become.

A special thank you to Jim Blair and Chris Hyams for doing an outstanding job presenting and answering questions!

🌿 Throughout American Wetlands Month, we’re highlighting the importance of wetlands and the wildlife that depends on them. From migratory shorebirds to iconic birds of prey, healthy wetlands provide critical habitat for countless species across the Confluence region.

🦅 Species Spotlight: Bald Eagle 🦅

Once endangered in the lower 48 states, Bald Eagles have made an incredible comeback — and healthy wetlands continue to play an important role in their survival.

💧 Why wetlands matter to Bald Eagles:
• Wetlands, rivers, and floodplain habitats provide abundant fish and waterfowl, which are important food sources for eagles.
• Large trees near wetlands and waterways offer ideal nesting and roosting sites with access to food and open water.
• Healthy wetland ecosystems support the biodiversity and habitat conditions bald eagles rely on throughout the year.

The Confluence region is especially important for Bald Eagles during the winter months, when eagles gather near open water along the Mississippi River in search of food.

Protecting wetlands means protecting the habitats that support one of America’s most iconic species.🌿

Today, we remember and honor the courageous men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. From all of us at Great Rivers Habitat Alliance, thank you. 🇺🇸

Progress is being made in the Confluence, but the fight isn’t over.

After advocacy efforts from organizations like GRHA and community members like you, Ameren has rerouted the majority of proposed transmission lines away from sensitive wetlands in St. Charles County. That’s a win worth acknowledging. But some wetlands remain at risk under the current proposed route, and the decisions being made right now will have lasting consequences for the wildlife and wild places we all care about.

Your voice matters in this process. Here’s how to use it:

Attend an upcoming open house in St. Charles County:

📅 Monday, June 8 | Venue 827, 3448 Harry S Truman Blvd, St. Charles | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. or 5 - 7 p.m.

📅 Tuesday, June 9 | Knights of Columbus Hall, 1270 Church Road, St. Paul | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. or 5 - 7 p.m.

Submit a public comment directly to Ameren at [email protected] or through the interactive map at ameren.com/reliability/transmission/eastern-mo-grid.

View the full story from below.

Wires Over Wildlife: The Fight for Marshlands Proposed Ameren powerline routes look to threaten sensitive wetlands in St. Charles County.

Be sure to check out the drink special at The Factory this month!

This month at The Factory at The District, we’re proud to support Great Rivers Habitat Alliance as our Charity of the Month.

GRHA works to protect the confluence floodplain where the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois Rivers meet — preserving wildlife habitat, clean water, and outdoor traditions for future generations.

Stop by, grab the monthly drink special, and help make an impact — proceeds benefit GRHA. 🍻

🌿 Why Wetlands Matter 🌿
It’s American Wetlands Month, and we’re highlighting the incredible value wetlands provide for wildlife, water, and our communities.

Wetlands act like nature’s sponge — absorbing floodwater, filtering pollutants, and helping recharge groundwater supplies. They provide critical habitat for migratory birds, fish, amphibians, pollinators, and countless other species that depend on healthy wetland ecosystems to survive.

Here in the Confluence, wetlands also play an important role in protecting water quality, supporting outdoor recreation, and preserving the natural landscapes that make this region special.

When we protect wetlands, we’re protecting clean water, wildlife habitat, flood resilience, and future generations’ connection to the outdoors.

Tonight is the vote.

We encourage residents and supporters to attend the City Council meeting and urge council members to vote YES on this measure to help protect our community, water resources, and floodplain. We remain opposed to data centers and other large-scale development within the wellhead protection district and/or the 100-year floodplain.

📍 St. Charles City Hall – 4th Floor
📅 Tuesday, May 19
🕖 7:00 PM

Your voice and presence matter.

The 100-year floodplain in the Confluence is not a blank slate for industrial development. It is a living system that supports wildlife, clean water, agriculture, and one of the most important migratory bird corridors on the continent.

The St. Charles City Council will be holding a public meeting on Tuesday, May 5th at 7 PM on the 4th floor of City Hall to consider an ordinance that would affect future development in regards to data centers. This meeting is open for public comment, and your voice matters.

If you care about protecting the Confluence, we encourage you to attend. If you'd like to speak, fill out a speaker card before the meeting begins.

GRHA has submitted a formal letter outlining our concerns about large-scale industrial development within the 100-year floodplain, including risks to groundwater, wetland habitat, flood resilience, and the communities that depend on this landscape.

We will be there. We hope you will be too.

Learn more about our work at grha.org.

🚨The Confluence needs you, and you are delivering.🚨

When we asked you to speak up, you did. Hundreds submitted comments to Ameren and shared our posts, and it worked. Ameren revised their proposed transmission line routes, reducing the impact to critical wetlands and wildlife habitat at the Mississippi-Missouri Confluence.

But our work is not done.

GRHA met with Ameren this past Friday alongside key stakeholders. We made our position clear: no new routes east of Highway 79. Stick to existing corridors. Protect the Confluence.

A few proposed routes still threaten sensitive wetlands, migratory bird habitat, and local businesses. Ameren wants to hear from ALL stakeholders, and they have confirmed that public comments are making a difference.

Here is how you can help today:

- Visit Ameren's interactive map comment system
- Mark your location of concern
- Note habitat, wildlife, and infrastructure sensitivities
- Submit your comments in your own words (up to 1,000)

Comment here: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/ebabc211127c4c879ac5e6c2b836ffaa

Urge Ameren to keep all lines to existing routes and eliminate the remaining routes threatening wetlands and the broader Confluence ecosystem.

Your voice is working. Keep the pressure on.

Follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter at grha.org to stay up to date on this issue and all things Confluence.

Great Rivers Habitat Alliance is proud to announce a new three-year partnership with Gateway Area Chapter SCI -- a $15,000 commitment to expand hunting access and education right here in our region.

Through this partnership, Gateway Area Chapter SCI will help GRHA fund clinics at the Henges Center designed specifically for veterans, first responders, women, and first-time hunters. This is conservation in action -- connecting more people to the outdoors and to the traditions that sustain it.

We are grateful for SCI's investment in our mission and in the next generation of hunters and conservation advocates.

Stay tuned for clinic announcements coming soon!