The Biennial Governor’s Conference on the Management of the
Illinois River System is occurring this October 1-3, 2013 in Peoria, IL at Four
Points by Sheraton. The planners have sent us these exciting details to help us
entice you to join us there:
On October 1, Lt. Governor Sheila
Simon will host the Illinois River Coordinating Council meeting which includes
an open forum for public questions and comments. Members of the Mississippi and Wabash-Ohio
River Coordinating Councils will also be in attendance. Through a public
dialogue, the Councils coordinate initiatives, projects, and funding to promote
the ecological health of Illinois’ rivers.
Featured keynote conference
speakers include Michael Reuter, The Nature Conservancy; James Baumgartner,
Caterpillar, Inc.; Mike Doherty, Illinois Farm Bureau; Wendell Shauman, Shauman
Farm; Dave Wethington, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and Ryan Burchett,
Mississippi River Distilling Company. Speakers will touch on various topics
addressing industry and conservation, Illinois in the global economy, the Great
lakes & Mississippi River Interbasin Study, and working locally with river
resources.
Concurrent sessions will address infrastructure needs and beneficial uses of
sediment, local community and agricultural actions to protect river resources,
watershed history, wildlife habitat, river science and more, offering
perspectives on regional, national, and global impacts of the River system.
These sessions are designed to present advancements in agricultural and
environmental technologies; improve understanding of economic and societal
benefits of healthy ecosystems; and recognize activities across Illinois
through local community actions to restore the health of this globally
important watershed.
