August 25, 2010
Glimpses of the Great Rivers America's Great Outdoors Event on Aug 20, 2010, hosted by the Corps of Engineers--St. Louis District

The St. Louis District and Rivers Project organized an outstanding America's Great Outdoors (AGO) Listening Event on August 20, 2010 in Alton/Godfrey, IL and Riverlands Bird Sanctuary in Missouri. This event was hosted by ASA(CW) Ms. Jo Ellen Darcy and Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar. Attendees included Col. O'Hara, St. Louis District Commander, John Jarvis, Director of the National Park Service, representatives from USDA, National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Illinois and Missouri state wildlife and park departments, Mayors of St. Louis and surrounding communities, President of Lewis & Clark Community college, Corps partners, as well as many representatives from organizations and individuals. The estimates are that about 700 people attended the all events, with about 300 youth from local schools.

The listening session was divided into five parts: The youth events and youth listening session, lunch with the partners at the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, a tour of the National Scenic By-Way, a community leaders session, and the general public listening session. There were many comments and suggestions about how the federal government can help support recreation and environmental conservation, build community relations, support youth to get outdoors, partnerships, environmental education, transportation, facility developments, local economies, and more.

The Great Rivers AGO event was a terrific addition to the other national AGO efforts. All public comments were recorded by note takers, and a video was made of the general listening session. The input received will be included with all of the other input from other listening sessions around the country and comments made on-line. These comments are being used in the preparation of the AGO report to the President due on November 15.

Attached are several things that I hope will give you a flavor of the events; the Great Rivers AGO Event flyer, and an unofficial, informal PHOTO Slide Show, prepared by Keith Hyde, our NRM CAP. Official documentation is being prepared now. In addition, links to 3 local news articles are below.

The St. Louis District and the Rivers Project Team did a fantastic job at planning, organizing and implementing the events, under the excellent leadership of Julie Ziino. The events exceeded all of the participants expectations, including those of the other agency representatives. Congratulations to everyone who made this happen.