The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠), a division of Lewis and Clark Community College, is dedicated to the study of great river systems and the communities that use them. The center aspires to be a leader in scholarly research, education, and outreach related to the interconnectedness of large rivers, their floodplains, watersheds, and their associated communities. NGRREC℠ was founded in 2002 through a collaborative partnership between the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the Illinois Natural History Survey and Lewis and Clark Community College.

Recent Posts

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRRECsm) will welcome naturalist Mark H.X. Glenshaw, widely known for his work with great horned owls in St. Louis’ Forest Park, for an upcoming STREAM Series event, Oct. 15.

NGRREC Welcomes Owl Expert Mark Glenshaw for Nocturnal Neighbors STREAM Series

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRRECsm) will welcome naturalist Mark H.X. Glenshaw, widely known for his work with great...

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) held the 23rd Annual Water Festival Sept. 26 on Lewis and Clark Community College’s Godfrey campus.

NGRREC Hosts 23rd Annual Water Festival

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) held the 23rd Annual Water Festival Sept. 26 on Lewis and Clark Community...

Each year, 5th grade students attend the Water Festival to learn about the importance of water and its impact on the environment

National Great Rivers Research and Education Center to Host 23rd Annual Water Festival

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC), in partnership with Lewis and Clark Community College, is proud to announce the...

RiverWatch volunteers undergo training to provide quality data on Illinois’ rivers and streams.

Illinois RiverWatch Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Illinois RiverWatch invites members of the public to join volunteers, partners and supporters in celebrating their 30th anniversary at Kankakee...

Summer Intern Madison Arle conducts research on her project. Photo by NGRREC

NGRREC Invites Community to Summer Research Intern Poster Showcase

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) is inviting the community to attend a research presentation showcase for its...

Wendy Applequist, Missouri Botanical Garden associate scientist and co-author/editor of “Love Them to Death: Turning Invasive Plants into Local Economic Opportunity.” Photo provided by NGRREC

NGRREC Hosts SEED Series Event with Botanist Wendy Applequist

Join the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) for the upcoming SEED Series event: Garden Guidance: Reframing Our...

Founded in 2002 as a collaborative partnership between the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Lewis and Clark Community College, NGRREC is dedicated to the study of great river systems and the communities that use them.

NGRREC STREAM Series Presents Rooted in Wetlands

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRRECsm) is hosting “Rooted in Wetlands: A Call to Action” at 8 a.m.,...

Large River Fisheries Ecologist Andrya Whitten Harris, Illinois Natural History Survey. Photo provided by NGRREC

SEED Series Presents Dive into the Illinois River with Fisheries Ecologist Andrya Whitten Harris

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRRECsm) is excited to welcome Andrya Whitten Harris, Large River Fisheries Ecologist for...

A special two-year project of RiverWatch Participatory Research Opportunities (PRO). RiverWatch Pro community science projects are designed to collect data to meet specific goals.

Illinois RiverWatch Hosts Illinois Crayfish Finders Training Session

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) encourages community members to attend an Illinois RiverWatch training...

Illinois RiverWatch volunteers participate in a training session. Photo provided by NGRREC

Illinois RiverWatch Hosts Training Workshops Across the State

Each year, volunteers across Illinois contribute to monitoring water quality through Illinois RiverWatch. Training will be held in April and May,...

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) is hosting a trivia night and silent auction from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, at the Old Bakery Beer Company. This event will benefit the March “Drink for a Cause” initiative.

Raise a Glass for Rivers Trivia Night Benefiting NGRREC

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) is hosting a trivia night and silent auction from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday,...

Image from 2024 World Water Day event; Lewis and Clark Community College archives.

NGRREC Announces World Water Day Photo Contest Winners

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) is inviting the community to view this year’s World Water Day Photo...

The Jerry F. Costello Confluence Field Station in East Alton. PHOTO BY LUKE JUMPER/S. PAIGE ALLEN

NGRREC Announces 2025 STREAM Series

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) is excited to announce the return of its popular community events with a...

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRRECsm) is launching an exciting new free educational series for community learners.

NGRREC Launching New Educational Series for Community Learners

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRRECsm) is launching an exciting new free educational series for community learners.

An exhibition guest viewing the overall winning photograph by contestant Dale Fehr at the 2024 event. Photo provided by Route 3 Films.

Submissions Open for 2025 World Water Day Photo Contest

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) is now accepting entries for the 2025 World Water Day Photo Contest. This...

Fifth grade students from North Elementary School participate at an interactive learning station. JOLENA PANG/NGRRECsm

Water Festival on Wheels Visits North Elementary School

After its 22nd Annual Water Festival was rained out in September, the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center took the experience on...

RiverWatch Director and Stream Ecologist Danelle Haake (right) and a volunteer community scientist work together to take a stream measurement during a macroinvertebrate study for the Illinois RiverWatch program. Photo provided by NGRREC

Community Science Takes Center Stage at Old Bakery Beer Company

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) will host its November STREAM Series event at The Old Bakery Beer Company...

In winter, streams in urban and suburban areas are threatened by salt used to keep roads clear of snow and ice. Photo by John Griffis

Volunteers with Winter Chloride Watch Monitor the Impacts of Road Salt on Local Waterways

Winter Chloride Watch offers several training opportunities for community members to learn how to monitor the impacts of road salt on freshwater...

Attendees at the 2024 World Water Day Photo Contest (STREAM Series Event).ALAN SHAWGO/ROUTE 3 FILMS

NGRREC Invites Community to Attend Star Wars Themed STREAM Series Event

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) is inviting the community to attend an upcoming October STREAM Series event...

Hannah Griffis teaches RiverWatch volunteers how to collect stream-quality data. Photo by Mike Quirin

Monitor a Stream with Illinois RiverWatch this Fall

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) is encouraging community members to attend an Illinois RiverWatch Mentoring...

Paige Mettler-Cherry, of the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, and John Vogel, of the Missouri Department of Conservation identify the Decurrent False Aster (Boltonia decurrens) at Columbia Bottom with Chris Sedivy, also of NGRREC (pictured on the right). PHOTO BY ALAN SHAWGO/ ROUTE 3 FILMS

NGRREC Wetlands Collaborative Celebrates Funding Success

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) is celebrating the success of the NGRREC Wetlands Collaborative in...

Jolena Pang speaking at the NGRREC World Water Day Photo Contest and Exhibit. PHOTO BY ALAN SHAWGO/ROUTE 3 FILMS

NGRREC Jolena Pang Named Among Top 20 Professionals Under 40 for 2024

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) is celebrating Environmental Educator Jolena Pang, recently selected as one...

NGRREC NSF REU interns Nathan Palomo, Morgan Trout and Faben Tesfazion record data for aquatic microplastic analysis. JIMMY WILDERMAN/ROUTE 3 FILMS

NGRREC Presents Annual NSF REU Symposium with SIUE

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) invites the community to the annual NSF REU Symposium, which will be held...

Fifth grade students participate in a science investigation at last year’s Water Festival. Photo provided by NGRREC

NGRREC Receives 8k Grant from Bayer Fund for Annual Water Festival

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC℠) has been awarded a grant from Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer in...

Fifth grade students working with the Enviroscape watershed model at last year’s Water Festival. Photo by JAN DONA/L&C MARKETING & PR

NGRREC Receives $10k Grant from Enbridge for Annual Water Festival

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRRECsm) has been awarded an Enbridge Fueling Futures grant to increase water literacy in...