Ninth Annual Mississippi River Conference Will Focus on “Raising the Grade”
According to The Nature Conservancy of Illinois, non-profit organization River Action will host this year’s ninth annual Upper Mississippi River Conference in Quad Cities (a region of four counties in northwest Illinois and Southeastern Iowa) during October 13-14.
Over 200 people who represent interests ranging from agriculture, energy to tourism, the environment and flood control will meet to discuss ways to improve the health of the Upper Mississippi River region and maintain the benefits it provides. Participants will elaborate a report that will include recommendations to improve the collaborative action in and management of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Waterway System. The report is expected to be released in mid-November.
The host, River Action, is a non-profit organization that “works to protect and restore the Upper Mississippi, foster cultural and economic activities, and raise awareness of sustainable practices that enhance the river.” The organization’s Executive Director Kathy Wine stated that a part of what the organization and this conference seeks to do is help people understand how critical the Upper Mississippi River region is to the economic, social and environmental health of the entire nation.
This year’s conference is focused on the Report Card produced by America’s Watershed Initiative, which was released last October as one of the first steps to “Raise the Grade” for the Mississippi River watershed. The Report Card provided grades for the Upper Mississippi River and the four other major basins that make up the larger Mississippi River watershed for six goals: the economy, flood risk reduction, transportation, ecosystem health and recreation. Of the basins measured in the Report Card, the Upper Mississippi received the highest marking: a “C.”
In regards to the upcoming conference, U.S. Congresswoman Cheri Bustos of Illinois said, “With both the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, our region and our state are home to some of the largest waterway systems in the country. Improving our locks and dams is critical to our economic success. I know that investing in our aging locks and dams will create jobs, improve our local economy and make our farmers and businesses more competitive in today’s global economy.”
