| | 2019 Gulf Dead Zone forecasted to be one of the largest; upcoming River Citizen Action Alert | | | | Record-breaking midwestern precipitation in 2019 has washed enormous amounts of pollutants into the Mississippi River Basin and downstream to the Gulf of Mexico. Nutrient pollution in the River (excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus) jeopardizes water quality for over 20 million people and currently fuels one of the largest hypoxic (low to no oxygen) zones on the planet - the Gulf of Mexico 'Dead Zone'. Scientists have forecasted this year's hypoxic zone in the Gulf to be one of the largest on record growing to approximately 8,000 sq. miles (comparable in size to the total land area of Massachusettes). This is a serious issue that has far-reaching environmental, economic, and social ramifications. Fortunately, solutions exist and many folks are working hard on the issues. River Citizens, keep your eyes peeled, as we will be launching a petition this month on nutrient pollution solutions and your action will be requested. Collectively we must be loud, focused, and intentional to restore the River and protect it for future generations. Until then, make sure you have signed the petition for the expanded use of natural infrastructure, like floodplains and wetlands, on the River as they provide multi-benefits including nutrient pollution filtration. Thank you. | | | | | | | | | Have you signed the petition for the Expanded use of Natural Infrastructure on the Mississippi River yet? | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Six-Town Mississippi River Legislative Tour a Success! | | This June, the Mississippi River Network (MRN) joined the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL) on a Mississippi River Tour to discuss critical River topics like natural infrastructure, nutrient pollution reduction, and flooding responses and solutions. The tour kicked off in Minneapolis and continued downstream stopping for events in Red Wing, Dubuque, Davenport, Peoria, and St. Louis. It was a great opportunity, bringing legislators, federal and state agencies, non-profit groups, River Citizens and educators together to converse and experience the River first-hand. These meetings, which reflect MRN’s commitment to convening events for dialogue and discussion on River issues, were covered in several media outlets: NCEL - Mississippi River Legislative Caucus | | | | 'Relay of Voices' Traveling down the Mississippi River Trail | | Relay of Voices is a research expedition traveling down the Mississippi River Trail with the goal of gathering “voices” from the landscape and individual residents of the river region (including River Citizens like you! Check locations here and get connected!) The effort is shaped by a theory of “movement research” which uses the body as the empathetic center for listening and understanding, and it seeks to learn about how people live with water and the natural resources that surround it. The work is spearheaded by artist and athlete Victoria Bradford Styrbicki in partnership with research institute the Water Institute of the Gulf, the Great River Road, the Mississippi River Network, and the Louisiana Seafood Promotions & Marketing Board. For more information, visit Relay of Voices and follow 1Mississippi on Facebook for updates/opportunities! | | | | | | Take Action on Flooding - Upper Mississippi Public Meetings | | As the Great Flood of 2019 continues to wreak havoc across the region, disrupting lives and livelihoods, regional state and federal agency leaders are hosting a series of public listening sessions on flooding, climate change, regional impacts, and future planning. Can you attend one of these public meetings and bring the River Citizen voice into the dialogue? - July 13 in Hannibal, Missouri - Quality Inn and Suites
- July 20 in Muscatine, Iowa - Merrill Hotel and Conference Center
- July 27 in Dubuque, Iowa - Grand River Center
- August 3 in Winona, Minnesota - Minnesota State College SE
- August 24 in Godfrey, Illinois - Lewis and Clark Comm. College
- Sept. 7 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri - SE MO State University
Click here for more information on locations and timing. Never Been? Our friends at American Rivers are hosting training webinars July 11 and July 24 at 7:00PM CT to get you up to speed and ready. Register for the free training webinars here. | | | | | | Get out there! May River Events: | | July 3rd - PBS Rivers of Life: Mississippi - watch online 8pm - The Mississippi reaches far beyond the Deep South; its fingers stretch into nearly half of the USA. From the frozen north down through the nation’s agricultural heart and then to the steamy southern swamps. The many faces of the Mississippi unite a nation. Watch Here (PBS online)
July 6th - Litter Clean-Up Series Part 2 in Alton, IL 9am - 12pm - The Mississippi River is receding and leaving behind plenty of trash and debris. Join us in
beautifying the Alton riverfront! All volunteers will be provided with snacks, water, gloves, safety vests, and trash bags!! Location and more info from 1Mississippi July 8th- Letters to Legislators in Alton, IL 6-9pm July 9th- Paddle with a Ranger in Minneapolis, MN 6-8pm - Get up close and personal with a heron rookery, spot bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and other wildlife as you kayak down the Mississippi River with an NPS Park Ranger! This four-mile paddle includes a kayak, paddle, and personal flotation device. More info and registration from Mississippi Park Connection
July 20th- Improving Water Quality in the Mississippi River St. Cloud, MN. 9am - 12pm. - Volunteer side-by-side with Great River Greening and MPR hosts and staff by busting buckthorn and other invasive plants from Talahi Woods. Invasive Buckthorn has blocked the bluff view of the Mississippi River and degraded the soil that filters water before entering the river. More info and registration from Great River Greening
| | | | | | | | Thanks for reading this edition of the River Citizen Newsletter! We aim to keep you up to date on happenings up and down the Mississippi from federal policy to local engagement opportunities. If you enjoyed, forward this email on today! For the River, Michael Anderson, 1Mississippi newsletter curator | | | | | | Mississippi River Network
info@1mississippi.org | | | | | | | | | | | |
