Blog
From Mississippi River inspired reflections to in-depth analysis of River-related policy, the 1 Mississippi blog roll is a must-read. Primarily authored by 1 Mississippi staff, we also offer this space for guest blogs. Please contact info@1mississippi.org with submissions and questions!
Note: Our website will be under construction in the Fall of 2024. If you find links that are not working, please contact us and we’ll be happy to send more information.
Field Notes: Know (and care for) Your River
The shiny sunflower morning beamed through the Hostel window planting a smile on my face waking me in good spirits. The day after Valentine's when all took the time to express their love for family, friends, and life - we put our attention to our...
Learning through Adventure!
Guest Blog by Jordan Hanssen, author, adventurer, speaker & President of OAR Northwest Little did my parents know what developing an appreciation for classics like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn would inspire in me. Maybe...
February Newsletter: River Citizens Get Results
Never Forget: Elected Officials Answer to You Dear River Citizens, Civic participation gets results. Your recent efforts to improve the Farm Bill would have made the founding fathers proud. Through our actions, River Citizens across America proved...
Field Notes: Sunflower River Days
It is the twentieth day of January, weeks removed from the Polar Vortex that descended upon our universe by surprise, as I sit underneath the railroad bridge. The Sunflower River looks to flow backwards as the prevalent southern wind blows warm...
A new Farm Bill is a victory for the Mississippi River
A guest blog from the Mississippi River Network's Policy Manager Claudia Emken: The Farm Bill is now a reality! It has been a long process, filled with obstacles of all kinds, but at long last the Nation’s agriculture policy is in place for the...
Take Charge, Organize a River Cleanup
In dozens of communities along the Mississippi River from St. Paul, MN to New Orleans, LA Living Lands & Waters (LL&W) is coordinating the Great Mississippi River Cleanup (GMRC). The first Great Mississippi River Cleanup was held on...
January Newsletter- Connect Today with Yesterday and Tomorrow
Every January, all over the world, people look to the past to evaluate what they can do better in the coming year. From exercising more and eating less to traveling more and worrying less, we make resolutions with the hope of making our lives...
How the River Raises You to Be Your Best, Series Episode 1
Note: This is the first installment of my 6 part blog series “River Gator: Exploring the River, Expanding Ourselves,” a recollection of my adventure on the Lower Mississippi River. Have you ever had an experience that lives in your memory forever?...
Pirates of the Mississippi
Avast, me ‘earties! Gather around for a tale of treachery, murder and wonder, and consider ye warned. For the sharp swift blade of the buccaneer’s sword wasn’t for those of the Caribbean alone... When you hear the word pirate, you may envision...
December Newsletter – Special Report: Results from Arm Chairs to Wading Boots
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...
Field Notes: The River Really is Cleaner
From the time I was four years old, my father would take me fishing on the Mississippi River. He would frown and say explicit things about the litter left behind by fishermen, partiers and fellow river rats. Then we would pick up after them, that...
Field Notes: Rivergator Journal – Caruthersville to Memphis
Day 3- Let the Rain Come Down "Who-ute", I hear in my sleep, while immediately waking knowing that's the Quapaw universal signal, with the light of the day barely peeking through my fly on my tent. "Hey River, there's a storm about a half hour out,...
We Need a Megaphone of Our Own
As the American Queen approached a lock, a crowd gathered on deck to watch the proceedings. I walked around and listened to what folks were saying, and I heard a lot of admiration and wonder at the engineering. This happened at nearly every lock...
November Newsletter – Progress Made in the Fight for Clean Water
“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” ― Martin Luther King Jr. This month’s...
Wolfie’s Report on the Barge Bash
It’s Okay, St. Louis: The River is Winning While many in St. Louis hung their heads in defeat after Game 5 of the World Series, a handful of river rats danced on a trash barge near Grafton, Illinois. Ladies spun to bluegrass. Hands clapped. Mark...
You Are Our Founding Fathers
Did you know a myriagon is a polygon with 10,000 sides? Or that each person has an average of 10,000 taste buds? Or that there are nearly 10,000 different species of birds on the planet right now? These birds come in all shapes and sizes, some fly,...
October Newsletter – 10,000 Strong and Growing
Jump up and down, shout it from the highest mountain, giggle uncontrollably, do your best Rocky pose – We did it! The River now has over 10,000 River Citizens to stand up for its best interests. You believed in the power of the people and to honor...
It’s Our River Day ~ Illinois
On September 21st, communities across the state of Illinois will be coming together to celebrate our rivers and watersheds through education, conservation, and recreational activities. “It’s Our River Day” is an initiative started in 2004 by...
Field Notes: The search for the Paw Paw
The great thing about being a river guide is the opportunity to be a part of both recreational trips and exploratory expeditions. Expeditions take you on a journey to find the information (or inspiration) that's essential for the creation of art or...
A Rising Tide of Awareness – September Newsletter
The 1 Mississippi campaign is just weeks away from a huge milestone: reaching 10,000 River Citizens. As we near that exciting milestone, we want to take a moment to recognize our allies who are simultaneously moving the River into the national...
Step 1
Become a River Citizen
Yes! The River can count on me!
I am committed to protecting the Mississippi River. Please keep me informed about actions I can take to protect the Mississippi River as a River Citizen, and send me my free e-book!, Scenes From Our Mighty Mississippi!
Step 2
LEARN ABOUT THE RIVER
We protect what we know and love. As a River Citizen, you’ll receive our email newsletter and updates, which offer countless ways to engage with and learn more about the River. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter) , and YouTube, where we share about urgent issues facing the River, such as nutrient pollution, the importance of floodplains and wetlands, and bedrock legislation such as Farm Bill Conservation Programs.
Step 3
Take Action
There are many ways you can jump in and take action for a healthy Mississippi River. Our 10 actions list includes simple steps you can take at any time and wherever you are. Check out our action center for current action alerts, bigger projects we are working on, and ways to get involved.