World Wildlife Fund report — World’s greatest rivers are in danger

Pollution, global warming and rampant development could destroy some of the worlds most iconic rivers in the coming decades, threatening to wipe out thousands of fish species and cause severe water shortages, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) said in a report released in March.

Only 21 of the planets 177 longest rivers run freely from source to sea, with dams and other construction destroying the habitats for migratory fish and other species by altering the waters natural ebb and flow, the WWF says. About a fifth of the worlds 10,000 freshwater fish and plant species are extinct or endangered, the report says, calling on governments to radically step up efforts to preserve rivers, lakes and wetlands.

Read the World Wildlife Funds press release

Upcoming Events

Three options: October 20, October 28, November 22, 2025
Hidden Falls Regional Park, St. Paul
Saturday, October 25, 2025 - 9:00am to 12:00pm
3M's oak woodlands, Cottage Grove
Now through October 26, 2025, dawn to 11 p.m.
Raspberry Island, St. Paul

Our River Campaign:
It all starts here

At the heart of this new campaign is the vision of a healthy Mississippi River.