2026 UMRC - November 4 & 5 - The RiverCenter, Davenport, IA
ABOUT
Please plan to attend the 20th annual Upper Mississippi River Conference - The Future of the River - November 4th and 5th at the RiverCenter in Davenport, IA. Since the conference was first established, River Action has continued its mission to bring together conservationists and regional stakeholders from all disciplines to form a more wholistic perspective on river and climate issues.
This year, we will focus on how river advocates continue to move forward in the face of so many environmental challenges. In addition, we look to the next generation of stewards and conservationists whom we will support through our 3rd annual Next Gen Summit program.
REGISTRATION NOT YET OPEN
CLICK HERE to download the 2025 brochure.
YOUR STAY
A discounted block of rooms will be reserved at Doubletree by Hilton and Hotel Blackhawk. Please use the links below to book.
To book your stay at Doubletree by Hilton, CLICK HERE
To book your stay at Hotel Blackhawk, CLICK HERE
BECOME A SPONSOR
- Support: $250, includes logo recognition on the program and brochures.
- Lieutenant: $500, includes logo recognition on all printed materials before and throughout the conference and could be the dinner entertainment sponsor (optional).
- Commander: $1,000, includes logo recognition on all printed materials before and throughout the conference, could be the luncheon sponsor (optional) and have an 8-ft table at the conference.
- Admiral: $2,500, includes logo recognition on all printed materials before and throughout the conference, will be field trip sponsor for all (includes further promotions) and have an 8-ft table at the conference.
- Presenting: $5,000, listed as the presenting sponsor, includes logo recognition on all printed materials before and throughout the conference, and could have two 8-ft tables at the conference.
To select a sponsorship level, CLICK HERE
*Speakers & Presenters must register HERE*
2026 Sponsors
2026 Save the Date
2025 UMRC Presentations Archive
Aldo Leopold - Roots of the Land Ethic - Steve Brower
Aldo Leopold - The Land Ethic: Taxonomy of an Eco-Aesthetic - Fr. Bud Grant Ph.D, St. Ambrose University
Meskwaki Nation Dept. of Natural Resources Management of Tribal Lands - Joan Flecksing
Riverfronts are to be Enjoyed Presentation - Kathy Wine & Chris True, River Action
Redevelopment Designs for Mississippi River Basin - Dr. Johanshir Golchin, President of Energy and Environment Research Group
The Mississippi River, a School of Democracy - David Murray
Transcript of The Mississippi River, a School of Democracy - David Murray
Unveiling the Quad Cities Flood Map - Nina Struss, Prairie Rivers Network
Partnering with the US Army Corps of Engineers - Rachel Perrine, USACE
Nahant Field Trip Handout - Rock Island District Civil Works Policy Guidebook.pdf"
Career Panel: Designing a Resilient Future - Tom Klein
2026 UMRC Presenters
DAY 1 KEYNOTE SESSION
Dr. Aaron Thompson, Landscape Architect and Horticulturist, Purdue University
DAY 1 PANELISTS
Rachel Curry, Agricultural Educator, IL Extension Office
Dr. Emily Jenkins, Engineering Manager, Farnsworth Group
Kathi Jo Jankowski, Principal Investigator, USGS Mississippi LTRM Program
DAY 1 FIELD TRIP - EWOLDT FARM PROPERTY
Robb Ewoldt, Regenerative Farmer/Director, United Soybean Board
DAY 1 PLATED DINNER
2026 Upper Mississippi River Conference Schedule
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. | "Main Street Landing" Project Tour
- Speaker TBA, City of Davenport
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Conference Meet-up and Appetizers | Doubletree Hotel




