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!
Ode to the Fisherman by Mark River Peoples
When I was a young boy growing up, I was fortunate to experience both sides of the Mississippi River. Born in East St. Louis and later moving to North St. Louis County, I grew up fishing the banks of both sides of the River. We used to time the...
This Year’s Gulf Dead Zone Measurement Sparks Disappointment & Optimism – Here’s Why
Spanning 6,334 square miles in 2021, an area larger than the state of Connecticut, is the Gulf of Mexico “dead zone.” This region of hypoxia – or oxygen-depleted water – is the 2nd-largest in the world, resulting in fatal consequences for marine life.
Do we have a historic opportunity to help the River? Here’s what Virginia thinks…
I was born and raised smack dab in the middle of the confluences of the Three Great Rivers, the Mississippi, the Illinois, and Missouri. I grew up a creek-walking, geode-hunting, camping, fishing, hiking, rappelling, Mississippi River Rat turned...
Here’s why Dean thinks the natural world of the Mississippi River is in trouble…and what he’s doing about it
When I was a college student in La Crosse, Wisconsin, I used to ride my bike down to the Mississippi and sit and think. Sometimes I sat and brooded. I was young, so I had a lot of brooding to get out of my system. The River was a calming presence...
Why is Victoria concerned about marshes?
Growing up in coastal Louisiana, every summer my family would go visit my mother’s homeplace in La Fourche Parish. We would surf fish off the barrier island Grand Isle. The beach there, this wisp of an island, is not like Myrtle Beach or the Jersey...
Three Critical Things We Told Congress That the Mississippi River Needs
BY: Maisah Khan, Policy Director, Mississippi River Network & Alicia Vasto, Water Program Associate Director, Iowa Environmental CouncilIt’s that time of year again! Mississippi River Network (MRN) member organizations sprang into action for...
Beavers, Wetlands & Climate Change
I sit upon an island bluff of sand in a forest of willows watching the sunset on Montezuma Island. The top of the island is to the left of me and the bottom to my right. In the foreground is a pile of driftwood and deadfall that has been stacked eradicably by a high water-eddy in the spring of last year. It’s just about dark and I can hear coyotes trading calls across the river channel with Coyotes from the back channel. Great Blue Herons squall as they head to their rookeries for the evening. Field mice and toads are in transition on the sandy surface as a Great Horned Owl swoops over its territory with a batman-like silhouette.
How to Garden for our Rivers with Master Gardener, Maisah
Do you find yourself dreaming of the garden on the coldest days of winter? I do. Planning and scheming for this year’s growing season is one of my favorite winter activities. As a Master Gardener, I am always searching for new, exciting plants to...
Three Takeaways from Gulf Hypoxia Task Force Meeting
A record number of Mississippi River Network (MRN) members and River Citizens (like you!) attended the December 2021 virtual public meeting of the Gulf Hypoxia Task Force. What is the Gulf Hypoxia Task Force, and why was the recent public meeting...
Rowing the Mississippi River…in Winter
It was a little before 9am on Valentine’s Day that I passed Lock & Dam Number 19 at Keokuk, and just a bit later that I rowed past the confluence of the Des Moines River with the Mississippi, signaling that I had left Iowa waters and moved into Missouri. The air temperature outside was -8 degrees F. I was wearing shorts and a tank top.
What is the MRRRI Act and why is it needed in Mississippi River states like Missouri?
On Thursday, September 9 I traveled to Jefferson City, MO to present at the Conservation Federation of Missouri’s annual Affiliate Summit. I talked about the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (or MRRRI), and the impact this new Initiative could have on conservation and restoration work here in my home state of Missouri. The Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) is a state lead organization for MRRRI, meaning that they are one of ten state-based organizations actively informing the vision for MRRRI and engaging the relevant partners in the state. Check out their webpage about MRRRI here: http://confedmo.org/mrrri
How you can help the Mississippi River for World Rivers Day
In celebration of World Rivers Day on September 26th, we are celebrating the Mississippi River, the world’s fourth-largest river, all month long! Read more about why the Mississippi River is so important and how to support it.
Huge win for Clean Water Act, Thanks to Leadership of Six Tribes
Written by Maisah KhanOn August 30th, 2021, an order from the U.S. District Court in Arizona brought an end to the “Navigable Waters Protection Rule” (NWPR). This Rule removed Clean Water Act protections from a large number of wetlands and streams...
The Stranded Ones
By Mark River PeoplesMississippi River islands are some of the last untouched wilderness in our country. They form by a combination of the River's natural meanders, floodwaters, and manufactured infrastructure. During low water, the islands are...
Guest Blog: Outside Again! Returning to In-Person Collaboration
IEC is, at its core, a coalition organization. Connecting diverse people and organizations is essential to our mission. Because the health of the environment affects everyone, we work to build awareness and identify shared values the importance of the environment to folks’ daily lives.
PRESS RELEASE: Calling for a new federal Mississippi River initiative
Calling for a new federal Mississippi River initiativeFrom headwaters to the gulf, groups say it’s time to restore the river and support resilient river communities Contacts:• MRRRI Collaborative communications support: sue rich, Friends of the...
This Earth Month, Let’s Give Back to the Mississippi River!
Through the Mississippi River Network’s 1 Mississippi program we celebrate the gifts of the Mississippi River 365 days a year. We know that as River Citizens, you also take actions large and small every day to show how much you care about our...
MRN Members Spring Forward with Nearly 30 Congressional Meetings
Last month, Mississippi River Network (MRN) Members participated in nearly 30 meetings with Congressional decision-makers and their staff as part of our Spring 2021 virtual “fly-in.” We shared our policy priorities as they relate to flooding,...
30×30 Conservation Goal: What does it mean for the Mississippi River?
President Biden pledged to put America on the path of protecting at least 30 percent of its land and 30 percent of its ocean areas by 2030. What does this “30x30” goal mean for clean water and the Mississippi River? How will the 10 mainstem River...
Could you canoe down the Mississippi River in 18 days, 4 hours, and 51 minutes?
Guest Blog by Joel Ford, Mississippi Speed Record. In May of 2021, our team will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest team to paddle down the entire Mississippi River, approximately 2,300 miles.
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.