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: The Spawn
The month of March brings the snow melt and the warm rains to the Mississippi River Watershed. The melt from the Rockies in Wyoming feed the Bighorn and Tongue Rivers, while entering the Yellowstone River in Montana. The Grand and Cheyenne Rivers...
Magic Moments – April Newsletter
Magic Moments The first daffodils of spring are just one of the amazing magical moments our planet offers as a sign of the warming weather and shifting seasons. Winter’s quiet melts into memory as the natural world wakes up. Chirping birds, lawn...
Recharge your battery! – March Newsletter
Smells like Team Spirit Hello River Citizens! Every March, your local 1 Mississippi Outreach Assistants come together to learn more about the Mississippi River and how to rally River Citizens more effectively. One of the most amazing weekends of...
Mark River’s Dream
It was 2011 and the floodwaters were receding around St. Louis. I returned to my home, a block from the Mississippi River, from my usual night shift. I followed my usual routine by lighting the grill before going into the house to grab a fillet of...
The Beauty of the Beast – December Newsletter
Every year we send out a survey to River Citizens to learn more about your connection to the River, what your knowledge of the trouble it faces and what actions you are taking to act as the “guardians and caretakers of the River.” When asked “Why...
Mucky, Mushy . . . and Magical?
Conversations about the Mississippi River inevitably bring up the valuable functions of wetlands. Whether the topic is preserving wildlife diversity, reducing nutrient pollution, or preparing for ever-increasing extreme weather, wetlands never fail...
The Power of Now – January Newsletter
Winter Adventures Inevitably, January is a time to think about the year to come and the year past. Memories flash through our minds, and for many of us they include sunsets, seeing our first whooping crane, or perhaps that day we went...
Gifts from the River, Gratitude from the Heart – Series Episode 6
Note: This is the sixth and final installment of the blog series “River Gator: Exploring the River, Expanding Ourselves,” a recollection of my adventure on the Lower Mississippi River. The first day on the River the water sparkled so in the bright...
Top 10 Most Awesome Things About Quapaw Canoe Company
10. The Cave. This is the hub of all things Quapaw – part office, River gear storage, library, art studio, museum - basically a repository for all things cool. The first time I went in I feel in love immediately with the organized chaos. There was...
A River Worthy of a Bow Tie
You know, living here right next to the Mississippi River, it’s pretty easy to begin to take for granted just how freaking fantastic it is. I mean seriously, it’s the fourth longest river in the world, and a U.S. geologic survey says it is the main...
Experiencing the Mississippi River on a Budget
Few places capture the imagination like the mighty Mississippi River. From Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn to Johnny Cash’s ‘Big River’, the Mississippi has entrenched itself at the heart of the best of American myth and folklore. Today, you can...
Is an Octopus Without Arms Still an Octopus? – November Newsletter
Hello River Citizens, Have you ever stopped to think the water you drink might have once been inside a dinosaur, a cloud or even Albert Einstein? This is possible because water is constantly moving - from rain to rivers, drinking water to...
“WANTED: World Record”
According to Wikipedia, a flotilla is simply a “fleet of ships or boats”. So what exactly is a “Floatzilla”? For the 5th year running, Mississippi River Network member and non-profit from Davenport, Iowa, River Action, has hosted an annual...
October Newsletter – Who’s the Boss?
It’s Not “Just” Another Election Hello River Citizens, Some say next month’s election is just a Congressional election—like it is less important just because presidential candidates aren’t on the ballot. But the fact is Congress has an immense role...
Mardi Gras Pass
How did Mardi Gras Pass get Such a Name? Strange things happen on Mardi Gras day. People transform. Hair suddenly grows, turns blue or pink, and trumpets blare. Wild sides bust loose from places that we never knew existed. On a chilly Mardi...
Maps: You Are Here – Now Get Lost! – Series Episode 5
Note: This is the fifth installment of my six-part blog series “River Gator: Exploring the River, Expanding Ourselves,” a recollection of my adventure on the Lower Mississippi River. Ever since I was a girl, I have loved maps, especially when I saw...
Don’t Talk About It – Be About It
If there was ever a man who has a mission, it’s Colton Cockrum, founder of the Memphis River Warriors - a community organization bringing new awareness to the litter problem in our beloved Mississippi River - one plastic bottle at a time. In our...
Splish, Splash, Let’s Give ‘Em a Bath – September Newsletter
Long ago we looked to the sky and dreamt of flying the way birds do; many of us still do. Birds play a large role in our imagination, from the mythological phoenix to the Looney Tunes Roadrunner. They inspire poetry such as Edgar Allen Poe’s “The...
Your Clean Water Act Support Needed Now More Than Ever
On September 9, the US House of Representatives voted 262 to 152 to approve HR 5078 as an attempt to block the Clean Water Act protection rule-making underway by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)....
River Citizens take on Art Challenge
The Quad City Area is known for not only having five cities in its “quad”, but also for the unique culture found in each: Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline, Rock Island and East Moline. Young, old, or somewhere in between there is something to...
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.