2026 ANNUAL GATHERING
MAY 1-2, 2026
Down by the River in
QUAD CITIES
REGISTRATION DEADLINE
APRIL 3, 2026
STONEY CREEK
HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER
MOLINE, ILLINOIS
REGISTER HERE
Download Schedule and Field Trip Information Here
Join us for spring migration along the Mississippi River in western Illinois and eastern Iowa. Collectively known as “Quad Cities,” Davenport (IA), Betterndorf (IA), Rock Island (IL) and Moline (IL) form a metro area with a regional identity. Connected by bridges, the area is known for its industrial heritage, riverfront activities, John Deere, and a promosing location for observing early spring migrants in the woodlands and waterfowl on the river. Field trips guided by Red Hill Birding, banquet, program and more.
Friday night Down by the River social and pizza party on board the Living Lands and Waters Mississippi River Institute Barge at Beacon Harbor
CHAD PREGRACKE
SATURDAY BANQUET FEATURED SPEAKER
“From the Bottom Up”
Sponsored by Northern Trust Foundation & Institutional Advisors
Founder of Living Lands and Waters, The Mississippi River was literally Chad Pregracke’s back yard while growing up near East Moline, Illinois. Chad and his older brother, Brent, spent the majority of their time on, in and around the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Between his childhood and first job as a clam digger, it didn’t take long before realizing that he didn’t like what he saw – above or below the river – and decided to do something about it.
In 1998 at the age of 23, Chad founded Living Lands & Waters. Today, the organization has grown to include a full staff and fleet of equipment. The crew averages nine states a year along the Mississippi, Illinois and Ohio Rivers, as well as many of their tributaries. Most recently, Chad expanded the mission of the organization to include Student Educational Workshops, The MillionTrees Project, Adopt-a-River Mile, Invasive Species Removal and The Great Mississippi River Cleanup.
We will hear the inspirational and always amusing tales of Chad’s lifetime journey and his love of rivers.
Photo of Hooded Merganser by Matt Misewicz