| Happy New Year, Friend! How old is the water? As old as the Earth itself! As you know, factories aren't making 'new water' or disposing of 'old water.' What we have is what we have. Thus, we must care for water and the special places it cycles through, like our treasured Mississippi River. As Sharon Day, an Ojibwe woman who leads nibi (water) walks, says, "Caring for the water is a way of life." In my home, we care for water by helping our kids develop a personal connection with it. After brushing teeth or washing dishes, we say, "Thank you, water." My two-year-old now does this independently, which fills me with hope for the future because people protect what they know and care about. So, friend, how will you care for water and our River in 2024? I'd love to know and hear from you - send me an email here. If you need inspiration, check out our 10 Actions to create a healthier Mississippi River! -Michael Anderson, Director of Outreach and Education, Mississippi River Network |
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| Featured January Webinar! |
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| Friend, please join us for our first webinar of the year! All are welcome, and no experience is necessary. Register here (the recording will be emailed to registrants). When: Thursday, January 25th, from 1 - 2 pm CT via Zoom The Mississippi River Network (MRN) is delighted to host Melissa Samet (National Wildlife Federation) and Olivia Dorothy (American Rivers) for this “WRDA 101” presentation. The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) is a major, recurring piece of legislation that dictates how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) interact with our waterways. Given USACE’s significant impact on all parts of our Mississippi River, we look forward to learning from Melissa and Olivia how WRDA works, what NWF and American Rivers’ priorities are for WRDA 2024, and what organizations and supporters can do to get involved! |
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| You really showed up for the River in 2023, thank you! |
| Last month, we shared a list of 23 Things We are Grateful for in 2023. Now it’s 2024, and we wanted to add just one more gratitude: We raised over $2,800 at the end of 2023, for a total of over $4,800, thanks to a generous matching gift from a group of donors! We're grateful that so many of you stepped up to help the people, land, water, and wildlife of the Mississippi River. Your support will truly make a difference this year; thank you! |
|  | Did you read our 2023 list of gratitudes? Check it out and learn about 23 of our successes, accomplishments, and appreciations for you, for the River, and all who care about it. Our Network can't do the work we do without your support. If you missed the opportunity to make a contribution in 2023, it’s not too late. Can the River count on you? |
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| |  | Invasive Carp Community Action Meetings
Three Dates in Three Minnesota Locations (including a virtual option) Mississippi River Network members Friends of the Mississippi River and Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance are co-hosting community action meetings to engage people in efforts to protect our rivers, lakes, and streams from invasive carp. The dates and locations are January 24th in Red Wing, MN; January 30th in St. Paul, MN, and streamed virtually; and February 1st in Winona, MN. |
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 | Job Alert: Sustainable Agriculture and Water Specialist
Remote position; 1/19 app. deadline Are you or someone you know interested in environmental policy related to restoring our Mississippi River? The National Caucus of Environmental Legislators is looking for their next Sustainable Agriculture and Water Quality Specialist! |
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 | Mississippi Meanderings 2024
January 20th at the National Great Rivers Museum in Alton, Illinois Join the Mississippi River Water Trail Association and fellow River enthusiasts for Mississippi Meanderings! This year's program features a documentary and Q&A with the Guinness World Record holder - Dale Sanders, "The Grey Beard Adventurer" - the oldest individual, at age 87, to paddle the entire Mississippi River. |
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|  | Job Alert: Regional Urban Water Partnership & Policy Manager
Southeast Louisiana Mississippi River Network member, The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans, seeks to fill their Regional Urban Waters Partnership & Policy Manager position. Click the button below for the position description and how to apply. |
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 | Birds of Winter
January & February in West Alton, MO, and the greater St. Louis area Experiencing overwintering Bald Eagles and Trumpeter Swans in winter is a St. Louis tradition! Join the Audubon Center and fellow Mississippi River enthusiasts (and bird nerds!) for Birds of Winter, an event series at Riverlands that has something for everyone! |
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 | Pollinator Webinar Series
January 30, 31, and February 1 Join University of Minnesota Extension educators for a free webinar series and learn more about our pollinators! The three-part webinar series covers how to help pollinators, pollinator insect identification, and integrated pest management practices to keep pollinators safe. (Select "I live in another state" if registering outside of Minnesota). |
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| | - The Gazette (December 11th, 2023) - Hundreds of invasive carp caught in Mississippi River on Wisconsin, Minnesota border
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife (Dec. 14th, 2023) - New Inflation Reduction Act projects announced in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin
- Forbes (December 20th, 2023) - A Salty Future For New Orleans
- Wisconsin Watch (Dec. 26th, 2023) - How much trash does the Mississippi River funnel from Midwest to Gulf of Mexico?
- Walton Family Foundation (January 2nd, 2024) - Rooted in Trauma, a Community’s Relationship to Water Begins to Heal
- Star Tribune and Bozeman Daily Chronicle (January 3rd, 2024) - Move over, Kernza — Camelina is a new winter oilseed that could save the Mississippi River
- Prism Reports (January 4th, 2024) - In the afterlife of slavery
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (January 7th, 2024) - Five sites that showcase importance of Mississippi River
- Nola.com (January 7th, 2024) - Can Louisiana shrink its 'dead zone' off the Gulf coast? Here's what an expert says.
- The Telegraph (January 7th, 2023) - Eagle Ice Festival in Alton: A celebration of America's national symbol
- Upper Mississippi River Basin Assocation (2024): Report: How clean is the River?
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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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