Audubon Center at Riverlands

We protect birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow.

Audubon is responding to the greatest challenges facing birds and people today while anticipating the issues—and opportunities—of tomorrow. We remain focused on birds because we know their collective health reflects the health of our planet. What’s good for birds is good for the Earth.

Audubon Centers are conservation action centers in their regions and communities. Opened in 2011, the Audubon Center at Riverlands is one of 34 Audubon Centers in the country constituting the largest private network of nature centers in the U.S. We are located in the 3,700-acre Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary on the Mississippi River four miles from its confluence with the Missouri River. The Center and Sanctuary together represent a unique partnership with the Rivers Project Office of the St. Louis District of the USACE, and a powerful platform to connect people to our Great Rivers and give them the inspiration, knowledge and tools to protect this vital natural resource. We do this by:

Leading with science to protect 49,000 acres of critical bird and wildlife habitat in the STL Region.

Building the next generation of conservationists by engaging 2,000+ Pre-K thru high school students from under-resourced communities in Nature Education for Stewards of Tomorrow (NEST), a nature-based experiential learning initiative that also augments STEM skills and academic preparation. Our focus areas are North St. Louis County, north St. Louis City, and Madison County, IL. 

Offering paid internships that expose 30 North St. Louis County high school students to careers in conservation and related STEM fields, prepare them for further STEM education and jobs of the future, and build their professional stills and networks.   

Fostering understanding and appreciation are the critical first steps for lasting protection of birds and habitat. We are connecting 40,000 people yearly to the Mississippi River through interesting classes, events, exhibits, and programs. Birds of Winter for example is one of the most popular events of its kind in the Midwest attracting 7,000-10,000 yearly! 

As the gateway and welcome center to the Great Rivers Confluence area, we are providing the STL Region's residents and our visitors high quality year 'round opportunities to experience the Mississippi River. Riverlands has 8.5 miles of trails, an accessible kayak launch, river islands, scenic overlooks, a one-a-kind avian observatory, picnic areas, and paddling on Ellis Bay.

Promoting the STL Region by attracting bird watchers from across the U.S. to experience the spectacles of fall and spring migration in the confluence area of St. Louis. We are the best place in the STL Region to "naturally" connect with the Mississippi River and experience the spectacle of birds on the Mississippi Flyway!