Jennifer Burt

In some ways, Jennifer Burt is like the river and its many tributaries -- she is always there when you need her, branching out in many directions when you think she could go no farther.

Currently pursuing her interest in geology at the University of Minnesota, Jennifer began her journey with FMR while working on a paper in which she interviewed Volunteer Coordinator sue rich for one of her courses. Upon finishing her assignment, Jennifer simply kept going and today is one of few volunteers to have contributed to nearly all of the major volunteer initiatives available at FMR.

Jennifer has dug out invasive burdock threatening the Crosby Demonstration Prairie in Saint Paul, stuffed countless envelopes in Tuesday night office work sessions, traveled to Elko New Market to help remove large debris from Whispering Creek, dedicated most of a summer weekend to helping with the Mississippi River Challenge <>, assisted with stenciling, and much more.

Sue compares Jennifer's efforts to that of a pinch hitter, "Jennifer comes in whenever we need her to, when you really need someone good at bat." And distance and convenience are not factors for her -- Jennifer has been known to drive from her home in Minnetonka to the downtown Saint Paul FMR office through rush hour traffic at the drop of a hat.

Jennifer's interest in the river began at an early age as she recalls vacations with her family to the Park Rapids headwaters when she was six years old. Growing up in South Dakota, Jennifer had little opportunity to interact with the river, yet she embraced her mother's teachings to "always try and do something greater than yourself." She attributes her devotion and enthusiasm for her immense efforts today to that philosophy.

In her volunteer endeavors, Jennifer has worked with multiple organizations and finds that the thing that continuously brings her back to events with FMR is that "everyone is always stress-free and smiling even when you wouldn't expect them to be." She finds the work she does meaningful and the events well planned, noting that this has not always been her experience with other organizations.

Of course, Jennifer says, there are many perks. In addition to enjoying the sense of satisfaction and camaraderie at events, Jennifer has been surprised at how much she has learned about the river and local ecology from volunteering, and has also enjoyed some additional, lesser-known perks. After serving brunch on her second day of volunteering for the Mississippi River Challenge, Jennifer was told that an additional person was needed to row the giant Voyageur canoe. She jumped in and alongside historical re-enactors helped paddle from downtown Minneapolis to Fort Snelling!

Jennifer's continuous efforts are a driving force in nearly all of the volunteer work that Friends of the Mississippi River has organized over the past few years. Her selfless philosophy for life and ability to fit in whenever and wherever necessary are what make her a true Mississippi River Hero, and we look forward to another great season with her!