During this season of indulgence, it can be difficult to find things that are both good and good for you. But River Citizens know the secret. It’s volunteering! Throughout the year, thousands of River Citizens have volunteered their time and energy from arm chairs and in wading boots to take action on behalf of the River.
From arm chairs (or desk chairs), River Citizens sent 325 individual letters through the 1 Mississippi action center, not counting all the letters sent through the websites of Mississippi River Network (MRN) members. By our count, River Citizens stood up for the River to 47 different Congressional representatives from 15 different states, plus 24 Senators from 12 different states. Way to go!
The River Citizen survey we emailed out in May revealed that lots of you volunteer with MRN members: Friends of the Mississippi River, Mississippi River Fund, National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, Living Lands and Waters, Audubon Center at Riverlands, Piasa Palisades Sierra Club, Izaak Walton League of America, in addition to 15 other organizations. Click the links above to check out some of their photos and you will see huge smiles of volunteers having fun and making a difference at the same time. Most encouraging, 93% of River Citizen volunteers said they were likely to volunteer again!
What about the actions taken when no one is looking? Personal actions we take in our homes and communities rarely get recognized or celebrated. But, as the survey showed, River Citizens do fantastic things in their everyday lives. Of the River Citizens who responded to the survey:
- 83% shopped at a farmers market
- 77% picked up litter in their neighborhood
- 63% reduced personal use of fertilizer containing phosphorus
- 65 % voted for leaders who protect the River
- 53% chose native plants for their yard
1 Mississippi promotes taking personal responsibility for the River by volunteering in our communities—a belief that both River Citizens and Network members put into action. For example, Chad Pregracke, founder of MRN member-organization Living Lands and Waters, and their amazing crew worked with 70,000 volunteers to remove 7 million pounds of garbage from 18 of our nation’s rivers, including the Mississippi. As Chad explained:
Fun photo from the CNN Heroes event of Chad & Tammy with Jason Biggs!
“Everything Living Lands & Waters has been able to accomplish is because of our volunteers. It’s an honor to work side by side with thousands of hard working individuals to do something positive for the River and for the country. We seriously couldn’t do it without them and I am always inspired that people continue to come out to clean up, year after year. Living Lands & Waters is a proud partner of MRN and the Mississippi River is lucky to have them working on its behalf.”
Chad’s dedication to the waters of the United States was recently celebrated as he was named a CNN Hero of the Year for 2013. Congratulations, Chad!
Every piece of trash that Chad, his volunteers and River Citizens like you pick up is making the River a cleaner and safer place. Mark River, guide with the Quapaw Canoe Company, blogger and 1 Mississippi Ambassador, sees the results every day. In fact, he wrote this month’s featured blog, “The River Really is Cleaner!” Our actions matter; and 2013’s River Citizen actions have given us a lot to celebrate.
Cheers to you in 2013!
Now Looking Forward to 2014
As evident in the 2013 River Citizen survey results, the 1 Mississippi campaign has made incredible progress for the River this year—thanks to you! Let’s build on it in the coming year. What is your resolution for 2014? How will you help the River in the New Year? Let us know on our new River Resolutions for 2014 page! The entries will be published on our website and in future newsletters!
Wishing you the happiest of holiday seasons!
Annette and Chad after a clean up.
With great hope for the new year,
Annette Anderson
1 Mississippi Outreach Coordinator
Trivia Question: The Quapaw Canoe Company is named after the Quapaw tribe of Native Americans who lived along the Mississippi River. What does “Quapaw” translate to in English?
a. Big Hands
b. Downriver
c. Loves Paw Paw Fruit (see previous blog on the Paw Paw)
d. Stubborn