About 51�� Center at Riverlands

Using science, education, and public engagement, we connect people to the beauty and significance of our Great Rivers and give them the knowledge and tools to help protect these vital and cherished natural resources.

Opened in 2011, the 51�� Center at Riverlands is one of a network of 51�� Centers in the U.S. We are located in the 3,700-acre Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary on the banks of the Mississippi River near its confluence with the Missouri River. Our mission is to connect people to the beauty and significance of the Mississippi River and the Great Rivers confluence, to inspire conservation of the river’s rich diversity in birds, wildlife and other natural resources, and to support healthy, vibrant communities.

Riverlands has more than 8.5 miles of trail featuring viewing platforms and bird blinds. The trails bring you through prairies, marshes, and bottomland forest habitats, and provide great viewing opportunities for the great variety of birds and other wildlife.

Bird conservation is at the core of what we do. But why Birds? Birds are in nearly every ecosystem on the planet. They are pollinators, seed dispersers, predators, and prey. And, within the network of connections that make up an ecosystem, birds are uniquely positioned to act as harbingers of the health of the land. This makes what’s good for birds good for entire ecosystems which includes us humans. Birds evoke wonder and curiosity and therefore serve as inspiration and conduits to understanding ecosystems—it’s smart conservation for the Great Rivers we love.

Our Team