River Action’s Floatzilla 2015- Rock Island, IL
Hello River Citizens,
A HUGE thanks to you, the River Citizens! Because of your actions, 1 Mississippi celebrates another successful year! Over 17,000 people around the country are now a part of the 1 Mississippi community, taking small actions in their day-to-day lives that have a big impact downstream. We rely on people like you to be the voice and helping hands for the Mississippi River so that future generations can enjoy what we appreciate today.
Each year we send out a survey to see how you relate to the River and the actions you take. According to this year’s River Citizen survey, the top 5 ways River Citizens spent their time over the year included:
• 79.00% shopped for produce at local farmers’ markets
Sustainable farming prevents soil erosion taking care of the land for future generations. Use your dollars to encourage local farmers who integrate responsible farming techniques.
• 74.89% Spent time on the River
Taking a canoe trip, visiting a nature center or attending a riverside festival is are ways to substantially show support for the River. Since we protect what we know, get out and experience the Mighty Mississippi for yourself. Find year-round River events near you at www.1mississippi.org/events.
• 67.12% picked up litter in your neighborhood
Heavy rains flush pollution into the storm drains, much of which flows directly into rivers. We can beautify our communities and prevent River pollution at the same time by simply bringing a bag and picking up trash on neighborhood walks.
• 57.99% reduced or eliminated the use of fertilizers/pesticides
When these excess nutrients enter rivers and streams, they promote algae growth, depleting oxygen in the water and endangering aquatic life. The result is a Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico that wreaks havoc on the ecosystem and threatens the fishing industry.
• 55.71% voted for leaders who protect the river
Elected officials make important decisions that affect our River. Learn about your local and national leaders’ voting records and hold them accountable for making our River their priority. Everyone should be held responsible for their actions.
Please help us to reach our goal of 20,000 River Citizens before June 2016. Building our base of “guardians and caretakers” of the river will not only improve water quality, but it will also show support for healthy river policies on a federal level. We have River Citizens in all 50 states representing a multiple of occupations from students to farmers to government officials, business owners, and teachers. As River Citizens, we illustrate that regardless of where you’re from, where you work, man or women, the color of your skin, people can rally behind clean water!
In response to the survey question of why we care for the Mississippi River, some of us answered that the river is living, inspirational, it’s love, tied to childhood, church, beauty and a dynamic force for good, but most simply put, “Where would we be without it?” Our ongoing history of this country would certainly not be as prosperous. As an essential resource for humans and wildlife, we need fully functioning habitats, main channels and wetlands if we want another year or decade of fishing, hunting, drinking water, and breathtaking sunsets.
Looking back, 2015 was a great year for building and enhancing our River Citizen community! Help us keep this momentum going into the New Year by asking your friends, family, and representatives to join us. Together our actions, from armchairs to wading boots, will protect the Mighty Mississippi for years to come!
Thanks again for all that you do for a healthy Mississippi River! If you want to learn more, find us Facebook at 1 Mississippi and Twitter using the handle @1_Mississippi!
Thanks for a great year everyone!
Jessica Zimmerman, Campaign Coordinator
