In 2001, Western Rivers Conservancy protected the Nation's focal point: the Missouri and Mississippi River confluence. The confluence is both historically and geologically significant for the Country, being the site where America's two greatest rivers meet. This is the place from which the Lewis & Clark Expedition left in 1804 to explore the West and to which they returned in 1806. The 1,074-acre property also contains significant habitat for waterfowl migrating along the Mississippi flyway. Western Rivers Conservancy transferred 202 acres located right at the point to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and the remaining 872 acres to the U.S. Department of Fish & Wildlife. The 202-acre portion has become a new state park, which is a great benefit to the St. Louis population center located just minutes to the south. The remaining acreage is managed as a fish & wildlife refuge. The Danforth Foundation provided a critical grant and loan to fund the purchase.

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