Last week, the Mississippi River Network (MRN) met with staff and decision-makers from over 20 Congressional offices as part of our virtual fly-in. These meetings are important opportunities for us to not only share MRN policy priorities but also learn more about where decision-makers stand on issues that impact the Mississippi River.

Like so many of us, Congressional offices are juggling multiple priorities right now all while adjusting to virtual workspaces. At a time when people all along the River are grappling with the simultaneous impacts of systemic racism, a global pandemic, and an economic downturn, we wanted to make sure that our meetings focused on ways to build the health and resilience of our River and our communities. Read Maisah's full blog here.

Hello, River Citizens! My name is Lizzy Silber and I have been an intern for 1 Mississippi for the last two years. This past summer I have worked on many projects but by far my favorite project has been using Geographic Information Software (ArcGIS) to map programmatic information for 1 Mississippi. Using this software, I mapped where all of the River Citizens and Mississippi River Network members are located. Read all about the mapping project here!

Rare Drawdown of Mississippi River in Twin Cities

• When: Week of October 5th, 2020 (Lowest 10/6 and 7)
• Where: Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam
• About: Rare opportunity to see what parts of the Mississippi River looked like before it was altered by the lock and dam. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will lower the river's water level immediately below St. Anthony Falls to allow for infrastructure inspection - which last occurred in 2008! Upper SAF Lock and Dam open to the public Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 am - 4 pm with knowledgable park rangers and volunteers to help interpret.

Be an Effective Citizen Advocate - Training and Workshops

• When: Thursday, October 15th and Saturday 17th, 2020
• Where: Virtual Event - Learn more and register here
• About: Want to make a change for your community but don't know how? This workshop will focus on non-partisan (issue-focused) training for citizens to be more effective advocates for natural resources conservation, environmental and social justice, and other issues of interest to communities. All levels of advocacy experience are welcome! Hosted by the National Audubon Society, Missouri Coalition for the Environment, Missouri River Bird Observatory, and more.

Living Waters Webinar

• When: Thursday, October 22nd, 2020 at 12 pm CST
• Where: Free webinar from Blessed Earth Southeast
• About: Calling all TN, AR, LA, MS-based River Citizens! Blessed Earth Southeast is partnering with 1 Mississippi to present this free Living Waters webinar at 12 pm on October 22nd. You'll learn the importance of water in Scripture, challenges and opportunities facing the Mississippi River, and how you - as a person of faith - can make a difference through prayer and action. Click here to register.

Mississippi River Network member, American Rivers, has recently released a comprehensive report detailing how investing in rivers stimulates the economy, supports clean water for all, and makes our communities stronger. The report presents a vision for transformation change and "makes the case for boosting federal water infrastructure and river restoration spending, and suggests a framework for equitable investment that will strengthen communities nationwide."