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.
Welcome to the River! What a Wild Ride!
Thursday, April 21st, was my first day as a brand new Outreach Assistant for 1 Mississippi and what a day it was! I attended my first event -- the annual CBU Vanderhaar Symposium and came face to face with the ultimate River Citizen…Chad Pregracke!...
The Politics of Making the Floodplain Home
In my last blog post I talked about some of the conditions that contribute to flood events and the term 100-year as a probability estimation. This probability measure impacts communities and the river in some unexpected ways. This blog post is...
The 100-Year Flood
People in riverside communities often hear the term 100-year flood, especially as snows melt and forecasters predict rainy days. This confusing term simultaneously evokes a sense of imminent large-scale disaster and feelings of safety—like we are...
Walk Together, Mississippi Delta
"Walk Together, Mississippi Delta" is the second installment of Dr. Rolando Herts' series, "The Mighty River." To read the first installment, click here. Reprinted with permission by Rolando Herts, Ph.D., Director The Delta Center for Culture and...
Tadpoles: The Frogs of Tomorrow
When I was a toddler, I would eat, sleep, and breathe dinosaurs; I wanted to see them in person. They were extremely friendly and they all seemed to live in harmony with each other. Soon after, I was exposed to a crashing reality: Jurassic...
March 2016 Newsletter: Spring Into Action, River Citizens!
Photo Credit: Max Anderson Dear River Citizens, With much excitement, I would like to introduce myself as the new Campaign Coordinator for the 1 Mississippi campaign. I know River Citizens depend on a healthy Mississippi River for drinking water,...
Return of the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
Here in the Mississippi River region, Ruby-throated hummingbirds bring great joy to birdwatchers and nature lovers after a long winter’s absence. Upon returning to their North American breeding grounds from the south, many...
Backyard Paradise
My “backyard paradise” has always been filled with tributaries of rivers and streams near Alton, IL. Even though I do not live in the City of Alton, I grew up just about 25 minutes northeast on a small lake near Cahokia Creek. This lake was...
Wondering about Watersheds
Two years ago I took a big step towards adulthood and became a home renter. Along with having a house came the barrage of various bills, and among these bills was the City of Minneapolis Utility Bill. Every month I scanned my utility bill and the...
River Habitat
This has been a unique summer for the Lower Mississippi River and the animals that thrive in its complex ecosystem. The high water levels that lasted well into August created an interesting boom in the reproduction of fish, reptiles, and...
Paddling with the Pope
Throughout my life I've been confused about the complex structure of our society and our goals for humanity. It started in third grade when I told my class that I wanted to be a humanitarian. Not understanding the goals of a capitalistic society at...
Highway to the Dead Zone (no more?)
Protecting Traditions by Making New Ones On hot summer July days, many of us turn to our local creeks, rivers and lakes to cool down and have some fun. Going swimming is as much of an American summer tradition as apple pie and Independence Day...
Reeling in River Stories
What would you do with a houseboat the size of an office cubicle? Well, if you’re itinerant artist and general river enthusiast, Wes Modes, you embark on a multi-month journey down the Mississippi River. I had the pleasure of meeting Wes at the...
7 Ways to Reduce Your Land’s Impact On Flooding
Since floods can take place on a massive scale, it may be difficult to trace how the choices we make on our own land can contribute to flooding. However, owning land means having a relationship to rainwater flow; "Everyone lives in a watershed," as...
Unlikely Dance Partners
Guest Blog By Tim Spitzack An excerpt from the book “Reflections from the Riverfront: Essays on Life in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area,” published May 1, 2015. It’s a Saturday morning in mid-June and I am quietly floating in my...
Ashes to Ashes – Floods to Floods – June Newsletter
Always Learning Something New Recent research is shining fresh light on the ancient River city of Cahokia. Named a World Heritage Site in 1982, professional archeologists and amateur historians alike have long been fascinated by Cahokia, the second...
A Tour of Possibilities
On January 29, 2015, Carolyn Michael Banks of A Tour of Possibilities, invited a few area organizations and residents on a familiarization tour to showcase and share the historical and cultural gems African Americans have contributed to Memphis,...
How to Support Farmers AND Clean Water
As some of you may have heard, Des Moines Water Works is suing three Western Iowa counties (Sac, Buena Vista, and Calhoun) that lie upstream from Des Moines, Iowa. This action is unprecedented as a utility company has never taken regulatory action...
The Mighty River and the Mighty Delta
Reprinted with permission by Rolando Herts, Ph.D., Director The Delta Center for Culture and Learning and the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area The Mighty River runs through us all. It binds us, north, south, big and small. The River has...
Protect the Wetlands that Protect Us – May Newsletter
May 21, 2015 Hello River Citizens, Generations of people along the Mississippi River have attempted to protect themselves from flood waters with levees and with makeshift flood walls made from nothing more than sacks, sand and human energy. It’s a...
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.