| Friend, Whether you just joined or have been with us for years, welcome. We are glad you are here. You are part of a community of over 20,000 River Citizens -- everyday people who want to clean up and protect our mighty Mississippi by speaking up on its behalf and caring for it in simple ways that make a big difference. In the year ahead, from armchairs to wading boots, we'll continue creating a healthier Mississippi River for all people, land, water, and wildlife. And, oh goodness, do we already have plenty cookin' for 2023. Hold on to your hats, friends! While compiling this newsletter, I was amazed at how many exciting and important events, projects, and other offerings our Mississippi River Network members have available right now (be sure to read this email through!) And how about you, friend - what kind of things are you doing or do you want to do for our River? What do you want to learn more about this year? Let me know by emailing me at manderson@1mississippi.org. See you around the bend, -Michael Anderson, Director of Outreach and Education, Mississippi River Network |
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Climb Into the Driftless With Relay of Voices! |
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| In 2019, Victoria Bradford Strybicki wanted to run home...which for her, meant a 2,300-mile journey over 120 days running the length of the River. Along the way, Victoria gathered stories from over 600 "voices." Three years later, Relay of Voices has become an interactive web-based storytelling platform that features a collection of stories that brings us to the banks of the Mississippi to explore the ways the River connects instead of divides us. The third chapter of a phased monthly release on the website features voices from the unique Driftless region of the Upper River. |
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| Also, Relay of Voices - A River Connected, webisodes are back! Join in on Zoom, Thursday, January 19th, for a deeper dive into four voices of the River. This is your opportunity to be part of this dynamic conversation, learn, and ask questions. On the 19th, we'll explore how the stories of Kevin Hanson of Guttenberg, IA, Lous Guedon of Church Hill, MS, Lonnie Smith of Greenville, MS, and Sarah Drake of Sauk Rapids, MN connect to the themes of River, race, climate, and home. (Watch past webisodes at the sister site alluviumtheatre.com). |
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| | How the Inflation Reduction Act Can Help the River and Our Communities |
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| Last summer, President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) which is a massive bill that makes historic federal investments to address the climate crisis and aims to reduce carbon emissions by roughly 40 percent by 2030. These IRA investments will be made through our existing federal agencies and their programs. We're looking forward to opportunities to inform this spending as agencies decide how they will implement IRA funds. |
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| For example, last month, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) (an agency under the U.S. Department of Agriculture that provides technical and financial assistance to farmers and landowners) invited the public to comment on their implementation of IRA funds. The NRCS is the primary agency responsible for administering Farm Bill conservation programs that protect habitats and clean water in our Mississippi River basin. You can read MRN's comment letter here. We urged NRCS to be bold and think holistically about our ecosystems as the agency implements this historic funding. We also outlined specific conservation practices that we believe should be prioritized to have the greatest impacts on the health of our River and the communities that depend on it. |
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More Upcoming Events + Opportunities From Our Network Members |
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|  | Mississippi Meanderings 2023
January 21, 1 - 5 pm CT
Alton, IL River people need to get together, especially during the winter! Join the Mississippi River Water Trail Association for an afternoon of fun and featured speakers highlighting paddling safety, the environment, and photography. Speakers include avid paddler Yolandea Wood, USACE biologist Robert Cosgriff, and expert photographer Marty Koch. |
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 | Quad Cities Environmental Film Series
January 22 - March 5
Quad Cities, IL/IA There will be six films shown over seven weeks all on Sunday's at 2 pm at various locations in the Quad Cities. The first film is The Seeds of Vandana Shiva shown at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, IA, on January 22nd. Learn more from our friends at River Action! |
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| |  | Mississippi River Author Event Recording on 1 Mississippi YouTube Last month, Paul Schneider, author of Old Man River shared stories from his research and books and answered your questions! Poet Cole W. Williams also offered a video recording of select poems from her collection Hear the River Dammed. Cozy up, hit play, and enjoy this special event. |
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 | River Days of Action returns!
June 8 - 18, 2023 Mark your calendars, folks! River Days of Action returns for its third year, and the dates are June 8 - 18, 2023. Join the River Days mailing list for the most up-to-date information. If you are interested in hosting an event please email manderson@1mississippi.org. |
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| | Can We Count on You in 2023? |
| We hope you are as excited as we are about this year and the important events and work already happening. From advocacy campaigns to River Days of Action to trivia events, we offer you, our River Citizens, opportunities to connect to each other and your communities, to connect to the River, and to take action for the people, land, water, and wildlife of our River. Your support helps make this possible. A donation of just $25 covers our annual costs for one River Citizen. Can we count on you in 2023? |
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| | 1 Mississippi is the national public program of the Mississippi River Network. Since 2009, 1 Mississippi has built a community of 20,000 River Citizens and inspired thousands of actions. From armchairs to wading boots, River Citizens protect the River by speaking up on its behalf and caring for it in simple ways that make a difference. |
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