Lewis and Clark Community College

Taking advantage of its ideal location at the convergence of three major rivers—the Missouri, Mississippi, and Illinois—L&C has joined forces with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Illinois Natural History Survey to form the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC). Through this partnership, our faculty and students are advancing our understanding of river ecology, watershed management, natural resources management, and environmental science.

NGRREC will soon break ground on a state-of-the-art research facility which is designed to meet LEED certification standards. The new facility will be adjacent to the National Great Rivers Museum, near the Melvin Price Locks and Dam in Alton, IL.

Mission

NGRREC is a leader in scholarly research, education, and outreach related to the interconnectedness of large rivers, their floodplains and watersheds, and their associated communities. The Center’s scholars and scientists study the ecology of the big rivers, the workings of the watersheds that feed them, and the ties to the river communities that use them.

Benefits

This partnership has placed L&C on the forefront of environmental research, which means our students have access to unique internships and expanded course offerings. NGRREC also conducts annual symposia on our campus, bringing further recognition. And we are now positioned to play a role in the growing demand for eco-tourism.

Additional Resources

To learn more, visit NGRREC's homepage