Mississippi River Institute Tour

All Aboard!! Join Friends of the Sangamon Valley along with our community partners- Springfield Audubon Society, Illinois Native Plant Society, Starhill Forest Arboretum, and Menard County Trails & Greenways for this exciting adventure! Hop on board for a program and tour of the Mississippi River Institute (MRI)! This classroom barge is the most recent environmental project of Living Lands & Waters and is currently docked in East Moline, Illinois. Over the past three decades, Living Lands & Waters (LL&W) has “grown to be the only ‘industrial strength’ river cleanup organization like it in the world.” Enjoy a Wednesday afternoon on the river learning more about their work and conservation priorities as you explore the purpose and function of this unique classroom. We’ll board the classroom barge at 11:30 a.m. to enjoy a lunch buffet as we catch up with friends and meet new nature-keen folks. Afterwards, MRI staff will present a program on the many facets of their non-profit environmental powerhouse, followed by a tour of the barge and a chance to gaze out on the river and take in the Mighty Mississippi. A few of us plan to head up a day early and camp at nearby Fisherman’s Corner Campground. Fellow campers are invited to join us! If you desire more formal lodging, the Hyatt comes highly recommended. Space is limited! So please register early. $20/person will be collected as you board Please contact Friends of the Sangamon Valley’s Executive Director, Angela Funk with any questions: 217-494-3115, fosvexeutivedirector@gmail.com Register for the MRI Tour Here: https://forms.gle/kwK4ez2EAvCzDkMM7 Campground Information Fisherman’s Cove, US Army Corps of Engineers Campground https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233498 Hotel Information https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-place/en-US/mlize-hyatt-place-east-moline-quad-cities