Greetings, friend,

We are ONE WEEK from our third-annual River Days of Action kicking off! 'River Days' brings together thousands of people for unified action and exciting in-person and online events. This year, we have over 30 events occurring June 8 - 18th! From canoe adventures and restoration events to inspiring webinars and family fun, there is something for everyone! Join the River Days mailing list for the most up-to-date information, and speak up for the River by taking action today (more info below).

Also in your June 2023 River Citizen newsletter is an update on what a recent Supreme Court decision means for our communities and the Mississippi River, the latest Relay of Voices chapter, and more news and opportunities.

Lastly, a huge thank you to the numerous folks who shared a story or photo of flooding in your area this past month or just reached out to 'say hey.' This month, I'd love to hear about your River Days of Action experiences! Please email me a story or photo or share it on social media and tag 1 Mississippi (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter). Cheers!

- Michael Anderson, Director of Outreach and Education, Mississippi River Network

What we do on land impacts our water. Fertilizers, other chemicals, and soil from agricultural runoff can harm our streams, rivers, and, eventually, the ocean. Thankfully, solutions exist. To keep our cherished Mississippi River and other American waterways healthy, we must support people, practices, and policies that protect clean water and our communities.

That’s why we are calling on Congress to increase protection and funding for Farm Bill Conservation Programs. These vital conservation programs offer smart solutions that support the local economy and protect people, land, water, and wildlife. But these funds must be protected and increased to meet the current demand. You can make a difference in less than a minute by speaking up and sending an email now.

The Mississippi River and the tributaries that flow into it as part of the Mississippi River watershed give us all so much, including drinking water for 20 million people, home for 800 species of fish and wildlife, recreational and economic opportunities, and much more. We all count on the River, and now more than ever, the River needs our help. 

You can be a River Giver by making a donation today to help people, land, water, and wildlife. You can support a Mississippi River Network member organization individually or give to the Mississippi River Network and all participating organizations. Can the River count on you?

Last week, the Supreme Court decided the Sackett v. EPA case that narrows the scope of the Clean Water Act by eliminating protections for wetlands, except in very limited circumstances. The Court has dramatically narrowed the scope of the Clean Water Act, undoing protections that have safeguarded our waters for over 50 years. This places our communities, public health, and local ecosystems in danger – especially those most vulnerable to pollution and intensifying climate disasters. Congress and state officials nationwide need to act fast to protect water bodies that our nation relies on for drinking, fishing, and fueling local economies. 

We are committed to protecting and restoring wetlands - the  "kidneys" of our Mississippi River watershed" - and will keep our River Citizen community in the loop on ways to make a difference. Learn more about the ruling and its impacts in this article, where our Policy Director, Maisah Khan, is quoted.

Join Relay of Voices and virtually bike, run, and listen along the Mississippi River! On June 1, Chapter 8 of the epic relay adventure is released and available on www.relayofvoices.com. In this chapter, you'll meet people from the Lower Mississippi, the heart of the Deep South. You'll continue your trek through Louisiana and Mississippi, starting and ending in two quiet villages - Mound and Morganza.

The key to navigating the interactive website is to scroll by using your keyboard, mouse, or finger, depending on the device - this will help guide you from marker to marker and story to story. Also, this is the penultimate chapter in the Relay of Voices saga! Stay connected, and you won't miss the story of the Gulf South, Chapter 9.