River Soundings is a conference for people who live near, work on, rely on, and love the Missouri River.  This annual event includes panel discussions on issues related to big rivers and the Missouri River in particular.  Each year, speakers and panelists who are experts from around the country gather to share and discuss challenges and success stories.  Our goal is to bring together people from up and down the river to look for common goals and active strategies to get there.

The 2024 theme is Big Rivers and Communities. The keynote address will be given by Betsy Damon. She is an artist, activist and teacher who has devoted her whole life to community and water. She is the author of “Water Talks” and founder of the organization Keepers of the Waters.

Other speakers include:  Tina Casagrand Foss with The New Territory, author Dean Klinkenberg, Bob Menees with Great Rivers Environmental Law Center, Tom Boersig with Missouri Chapter American Fisheries, Jodi Devonshire with Bike Stop Cafe, Kelly Dunlap with the City of Wentzville, Chris Geddes with River City Outdoors, and many more.

River Soundings is brought to you by the Missouri Department of Conservation Streams Unit and Greenway Network.

The conference will be held at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center’s auditorium on Wed & Thur September 4-5.  The address is 11715 Cragwold Rd, Kirkwood, MO 63122.  The doors will open at 8:30 am each day for check-in.  The conference will start at 9 am.

You may bring your lunch or you may join us for lunch.

Friday Night dinner and reception will be held along the banks of the Meramec River at Emmeneger Park, a few minutes drive from the nature center.  Prepare for outside dining and bring a comfy chair if you like.