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The Prairie State Conservation Coalition (PSCC) will meet March 5-7 at Pere Marquette State Park for the first time in the organization’s history. PSCC is an Illinois nonprofit association of land conservation organizations, including conservation land trusts, land conservancies, forest preserves, watershed groups and others. PSCC members protect, restore, and steward the diverse landscapes that characterize the State of Illinois – from dramatic lakefronts to the magnificent Mississippi River bluffs, and from the wide vistas of mid-state prairies and farmland to the dense southern forests. Alley Ringhausen, Executive Director of Great Rivers Land Trust, has been attending the PSCC annual conference for decades. The event has been held at Starved Rock State Park for many years, but Ringhausen suggested the group come to Southern Illinois and see all the amazing sights and venues we have to offer. It’s anticipated that approximately 150 individuals from conservation groups from all over the state will attend. Not only is this a terrific opportunity for the conservation and science community, it will also be beneficial to the business community such as restaurants, shops, hotels, and B&Bs. Great Rivers Land Trust is hopeful it will encourage visitors to plan a return trip to explore the region further. This will mark the 20th anniversary of the Prairie State Conservation Coalition conference.
