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!
Campaign Success: 600+ ‘Postcards for the River’ sent to Decision Makers from River Citizens
River Citizens from Headwaters to Gulf along the Mississippi River and across the country sent over 600 postcards letting their local, state, and federal officials know why the River is a priority. Read all about 1 Mississippi’s recent Postcards for the River campaign. By Michael Anderson, Mississippi River Network Outreach Manager.
Let’s Give Our River What It Deserves: A Dedicated Federal Program
Did you know that the Mississippi River lacks a dedicated, holistic, federal restoration program?
The Mississippi River Network is pleased to support the creation of a Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (MRRRI). Read more from Policy Director, Maisah Khan.
With a river full of possibilities, how will you enjoy the Mississippi?
There is no one right way to enjoy our cherished Mississippi River. From Headwaters to Gulf our River has many faces, expressions, and is strikingly different depending on where you are standing – and what ‘shoes’ you are standing in. Hear from fellow River Citizens and learn how to get involved. What are you waiting for, how do you #EnjoyTheMississippi?
2020 Policy Highlights and the 2021 Round-Up from MRN Members & Friends
Reflecting on 2020: MRN’s Policy Highlights Happy new year, River Citizens! While our biggest challenges of 2020 -- a global pandemic, devastating economic downturn, and continuing racial reckoning -- continue into 2021, we pause at the beginning...
Democracy, the River, and You: A Call to Vote from our Executive Director
Dear River Citizens, As guardians and caretakers of the Mississippi River, you already know what it means to care about something. You care about our rivers, and you take simple actions to mitigate your concern throughout the year, working towards...
Yazoo Pumps Project Sets Dangerous Precedent for Bedrock Environmental Protections
Oppose Yazoo Pumps If you’re a longtime River Citizen and follower of 1 Mississippi, chances are that you’ve heard of the Yazoo Backwater Pumps Project in Mississippi’s South Delta region. It is a project with a decades-long history and devastating...
23 Meetings: Mississippi River Network Floods the Hill – Virtually!
Last week, the Mississippi River Network (MRN) met with staff and decision-makers from over 20 Congressional offices as part of our virtual fly-in. These meetings are important opportunities for us to not only share MRN policy priorities but also...
Where on the map are our 20,000 River Citizens?
Hello, River Citizens and Mississippi River Network (MRN) Members! My name is Lizzy Silber and I have been an intern for 1 Mississippi for the last two years. This past summer I have worked on many projects but by far my favorite project has been...
2020 Gulf Dead Zone: Small Measurement Doesn’t Mean Small Pollution
2020 Gulf Dead Zone: Small Measurement Doesn’t Mean Small Pollution The results are in: 2020 Gulf Dead Zone small thanks to Hurricane Hanna, not pollution reductions The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) completed its annual cruise to…
2020 NOAA Dead Zone prediction, what it means for your community
Lingering at the base of the Mississippi River watershed, a staggeringly large hypoxic zone, known as the Gulf of Mexico’s 'Dead Zone', has begun suppressing aquatic life and livelihoods within coastal communities. The National Oceanic and...
Success Stories — Dogtooth Bend Restoration Project
The Mississippi River Network (MRN) was pleased to host Shelly Morris from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) for a webinar on the Dogtooth Bend Floodplain Restoration project in Southern Illinois. You can watch the recording of the webinar here or...
Improvement is in Reach
Recognizing the Problem It all starts with a quick fishing trip taken with my godson Josh and nephew Aaron, the latter you may remember from one of my previous blogs. Essentially, on a hot summer day, I decided to give the boys, whose care was my...
Birds of Quarantine
I sit on my patio in my courtyard sipping on Ginger Mushroom tea anticipating the sunrise to peek over the concrete wall before me. I live downtown and my porch faces the back of a feed and seed store so my sunrise is delayed by a few...
What’s soil got to do with … rivers?
Last month, the Mississippi River Network hosted a webinar for its members and friends featuring Tim Wagner from the Izaak Walton League of America (an MRN member organization) and healthy soils policy and state legislation expert Steven Keleti....
In Solidarity
The Mississippi River Network stands in deep sadness, righteous anger, and solidarity with Black Communities who suffer because of racism and police brutality. Environmental work and racial justice are inexorably linked and in fact are all part of...
A Fantastic Morning in the Marsh
Why are wetland areas important? How can soggy, mosquito breeding grounds covered by plants and occasionally standing water have any value unless it is drained and used as farmland or developed? Wetlands in fact provide many benefits! Wetlands are...
How is Urban Runoff Affecting Your Water Quality?
Urban and suburban areas contain buildings, homes, and other impervious (non-porous) surfaces, such as paved roads and parking lots, that do not allow stormwater to absorb into the ground thoroughly. Instead, we rely on built ‘gray’...
1 Mississippi: River Citizen 2019 Highlights
Started in 2009, 1 Mississippi is a growing national movement of nearly 20,000 River Citizens- everyday people dedicated to protecting the River by speaking up on its behalf and caring for it in simple ways that make a big difference. From...
Five key reflections from the Mississippi River Network’s 2019 Annual Meeting
The Mississippi River Network’s 2019 Annual Meeting was held in St. Louis, MO, and was a success with many key takeaways…
Where the Mississippi and America’s Land and Water Conservation Program Meet
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) was passed in 1964 to ensure American's public access to outdoor recreation. Since then the law has helped create and improve thousands of projects across the country, from National Parks to neighborhood...
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.