Date: 3/23/26 8:24 am From: Mike Grant <mikecurlew...> Subject: Jay and Carolyn Henges Wetland Education & Conservation Center (Restricted Access)
All,
Many of us in the St. Louis area have seen news reports about this new area in north St. Charles County. Last week representatives from SLAS, WGNSS and MBS met with the managing director.
A former private duck club, then owned by Ducks Unlimited, now owned by Great Rivers Habitat Alliance (GRHA). About 800 acres, over half in conservation easements and prohibited from development. GRHA has an agreement with MDC that permits limited duck hunting to specific groups, (youth, new hunters, disabled veterans, etc.). GRHA is working with St. Charles Co. Parks to open the area up, during non-hunting times, for walking and birding and such. They are hoping to have the agreement signed within a couple of months. At this time, there is NO public access!
After the agreement, there will be work required to create trails, post no trespassing signs to protect a couple of privately held parcels within the property, etc.. There is talk of building two observations towers that would look over the impoundments.
With the help of Ryan Douglas, a new hotspot has been created in eBird, "Jay and Carolyn Henges Wetland Education & Conservation Center (Restricted Access)". Ryan has suggested that the name be shortened by dropping the first names of the benefactors so expect a name change sometime. Once access is opened to the general public the Restricted Access will be dropped from the name. If you did manage to bird up there, please move your checklists to the new hotspot name.
This area will be really good for waterfowl and they report that 10's of thousands of ducks were there a month ago. They have new wells with pumps so that they can manage the water levels.
