Great Rivers Land Preservation Association

Great Rivers Land trust acquired the piasa harbor complex in the spring of 2009. The acquisition consisted of approximately 55 acres, a 27,000 squarefoot multipurpose building, a 5,500 square foot maintenance warehouse, and three other structures, as well as; a gas station canopy and a 118 slipboad marina. Beyond the existing buildings are 55 acres of riverfront property at the confluence of the Mississippi river and piasa creek just upstream from alton, Illinois. Great Rivers Land trust acquired piasa harbor with the intent to cleanup a property that over the decades had become a site for abandoned and degraded boats and equipment. The area was a blight on the meeting of the Great Rivers scenic byway. The meeting of the Great Rivers scenic byway was the first federally designated scenic byway in the state of Illinois and runs along the Mississippi river from its confluence at the Illinois river to its meeting with the Missouri river. During recent years of ownership, Great Rivers Land trust has cleaned up all derelict boats, equipment, and various unwanted debris at the site. The 27,000 square foot building along with other dilapidated structures have been razed and the site has been opened to the public. The gas station has been closed and remediated and all boat slips have been removed from the site. While the meeting of the Great Rivers scenic byway is one of the most beautiful routes in Illinois, and possibly the midwest, it has some constraints. The four lane highway runs parallel with the Mississippi river from alton to grafton. The traveler sees the mighty Mississippi on one side and the majestic limestone bluffs covered with an oak hickory forest on the other side. The problem for travelers is that there are very few points along the route to leave the highway and interact with the river and surrounding natural areas. Great Rivers Land trust is providing that opportunity by developing a 55 acre riverfront park that will be open to the public. A portion of the park will feature mature bottom Land trees and open areas giving the traveler the opportunity to have a picnic, fish, or just take a few moments to enjoy views of the Mississippi river and its riparian scenes. Also, in this riverfront park, a trail system is being developed that will provide opportunities for hikers to observe an active wetland cell and walk through a river bottom forest. Bird watchers and photographers will be thrilled with the opportunities presented by the abundance of migratory birds and the natural setting.

Great Rivers Land trust preserves Land and waters through property acquisitions, easements, and conservation projects. To date, Great Rivers protects over 4,000 acres of Land in Illinois and Missouri through various tools used by Land trust throughout the nation. In connection with the properties owned, Great Rivers provides stewardship maintenance of the properties including mowing, controlling invasive species and upkeep of buildings. Other activities of Great Rivers have included tree planting, stream buffers, timber stand improvement and prairie plantings. Great Rivers has partnered with numerous organizations and entities.

The piasa creek watershed program is a unique, twenty-year partnership with Great Rivers and illinois-american water company, which has met and exceeded all of its goals. The project was featured as a leading innovative model at the national "water quality trading forum" in Washington d.c. The effort continues to receive national attention as a watershed model. The piasa creek watershed project reduces sedimentation in the 78,000 acre watershed located in portions of jersey, madison, and macoupin counties in ilinois. Positive effects of the project include stormwater control, reduction of flash flooding, enhanced fish and wildlife habitat, and protection of sensitive ecosystems. The project has met and exceeded all of its goals to date. Interest and participation of the project has been embraced on a local, regional, and national scale.