Palisades Preserve: Dramatic Bluffs, Forests Preserved with Revolving Fund

The Mississippi River Revolving Fund (MRRF) helps local organizations protect greenways and sensitive natural areas along our nation’s greatest river. The MMRF was established with support from The McKnight Foundation. In 2007, the Fund aided the Great Rivers Land Trust and its partners in the creation of the Palisades Preserve—a 430-acre expanse of bluffs and forest overlooking the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. Renowned for its scenic beauty and views of downtown St. Louis, this dramatic property is now protected for future generations.

The Palisades Preserve is the largest and most significant privately owned undeveloped property in the region. Thanks to the support of The Conservation Fund and other generous supporters we were able to protect key wildlife habitat and safeguard educational and recreational opportunities that will benefit our entire community.

- Alley Ringhausen, Executive Director, Great Rivers Land Trust

Summary

The Palisades Preserve provides key habitat for birds and other wildlife and is located within the largest North American flyway for migrating birds. Its rare forests contain areas undisturbed by humans; notably, less than 1% of such “pre-settlement” forest exists today in Illinois. The Preserve also offers critical habitat for endangered or threatened plant and animal species, including the Bald eagle, Indiana bat, Eastern prairie fringed orchid, Prairie bush clover and Decurrent false aster.

Challenge

The Palisades has long been a draw for travelers of a national scenic byway known as the “Meeting of the Great Rivers.” Stewarded in private ownership by the Adams Development Company for 40 years, the family-owned company sought to protect the property for future generations through a partnership of local organizations, including the Great Rivers Land Trust and the Lewis and Clark Community College Foundation. The land trust faced the challenge of raising enough funds in time to complete the protection effort.

Solution

To make this landmark acquisition possible, The Conservation Fund provided the land trust with a loan from its Mississippi River Revolving Fund. With that loan in hand, the Great Rivers Land Trust gained the necessary time to find additional funders and to meet the project’s fundraising goals. At the same time, The Conservation Fund and Great Rivers Land Trust negotiated the acquisition of the property with the Adams Development Company. The land trust joined with the Lewis and Clark Community College Foundation and the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center to establish the Palisades Preserve for the benefit of both wildlife and the local community.

Results

Today, the Lewis and Clark Community College Foundation owns the property, while Great Rivers Land Trust holds a conservation easement on it. In addition to welcoming wildlife and visitors, the Palisades Preserve now inspires ecosystem research and education. The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) will provide opportunities for outdoor education, both to students via Lewis and Clark Community College and to lifelong learners throughout the community.