Evening Birding and Kayaking Outing on the Mississippi River
On Tuesday evening, March 26th, immediately following the day's sessions, arrangements have been made
for two exciting activities providing an opportunity to really connect with the Mississippi River. Our
destination will be the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary on the Mississippi River. Choose from 2 great
activities:
 sunset birding at the Sanctuary during the peak of the spring migration
 an hour of kayaking and experience the Mississippi River Water Trail.
Birding Hike
The Migratory Bird Sanctuary is a 3700 acre floodplain preserve of restored agricultural lands located in the
floodway between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers just above their confluence.
Join Audubon Center ecologists for a fun and informative walk in the magnificent bird habitats of the
Riverlands Sanctuary. Over 325 species of songbirds and waterfowl live in or migrate through the Sanctuary
located within a nationally-recognized Important Bird Area, at the center of the most significant flyways in the
world.
Kayaking
An avid kayaker and wildlife ecologist will lead the group, presenting novice and seasoned paddlers with a
taste of kayaking on the Mighty Mississippi and its amazing backwaters and side channels. Paddlers will be
able to say they paddled a portion of a blue trail that was recently recognized as only the second U.S.
National Water Trail. (Limited to 20 people)
Weather permitting, participants in both groups will be treated to an amazing "over the water" sunset along
this west to east river reach. After an evening of river-ratting both groups will join up at the beautiful
Audubon Center at Riverlands for heavy hors d'oeuvres; local craft beer and wine and plenty of camaraderie.
Important Note regarding registration: Although a large group can be accommodated for the birding hike
the paddling opportunity will be limited to the first twenty sign-ups.
Clothing/equipment:
Please prepare for being too hot or too cold, any time of year. Weather changes in the spring can be
extreme.
Paddlers, cotton clothing is not recommended. Fleece dries quickly, and can be easily wrung out, as does
poly-pro and silk. As in all seasons, prepare to get wet. Even though you might not intend to enter the water,
there may be splashing water, waves, paddle drips, and rain is always a possibility, as well as a kayak
overturn. It's always best to be prepared. Kayaks, paddles, and life jackets will be provided.
Cost per participant: $TBD
Links below to Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Audubon Center, Water Trail, and map of Sanctuary.
http://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Rivers/RMBSMAP.htm
http://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/rivers/RMBS.html
http://riverlands.audubon.org/m
http://www.greatriverwatertrail.org/
Itinerary/Timeline
5:15 pm
5:55
6:00
7:15
8:30
Bus departs Hotel
Bus arrives at Riverlands
Groups are joined by their group leaders for bike hike or group paddle.
Groups come back together for food, drinks, and fun.
Bus departs Riverlands for return to Hotel