Mississippi named one of the 'most endangered rivers' in the US
In case you missed it, FMR Water Program Director Trevor Russell spoke to the river's endangered status and our proposed solution on WCCO and MPR News. (Photo courtesy of WCCO)
As covered by MPR News, WCCO and other media outlets, the Mississippi River made the list of "America’s Most Endangered Rivers" this week. But a proposed federal program — championed by Friends of the Mississippi River, Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-04), the National Wildlife Federation and Mississippi River Network among many others — has the potential to turn that designation around.
Along with over 90 other organizations and businesses, FMR is proud to support a new national program to reverse the Mississippi River’s decline. We’re calling on Congress to pass the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (MRRRI) Act authored by Rep. McCollum .
This initiative would fund much-needed, voluntary river restoration projects from the Headwaters to the Gulf. It would help federal, state, tribal and community agencies and organizations improve water quality, restore wildlife habitat and natural systems, reduce aquatic invasive species, and build local resilience to flooding and other natural disasters in and along the Mississippi River.
Other vital bodies of water have long benefited from geographically based restoration programs like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Now it’s the Mississippi River’s turn.
How you can help
Sign up your organization, club, church, farm or business to endorse MRRRI!
Join the growing list of 90+ endorsers, including these local organizations: Urban Bird Collective, Sierra Club North Star Chapter, Lower Phalen Creek Project, U of MN Deans and Vice-President of Research, Conservation Minnesota, Prairie Island Community, Freshwater, Friends of Pool 2, Green Lands Blue Waters, Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance, Izaak Walton League of America MN Division, Monarch Joint Venture, Mississippi Park Connection, Wild Ones, St. Paul Yacht Club, Wilderness Inquiry and others.
This page offers additional information about the initiative, why we need your group or business's support, and a link to a brief endorsement form.
Take action as an individual by signing the petition.
Individuals can support MRRRI too! Sign our petition asking Congress to pass the MRRRI act.
Videos to learn more, spread the word
Enjoy this video from our friends at Hamline’s Center for Global Environmental Education and share it with others to spread the word about this federal initiative.
Mississippi River Restoration & Resilience Initiative: An Introduction from CGEE Hamline on Vimeo.
Check out other videos from American Rivers, the American Sportfishing Association and WCCO. (There’s a lot of excitement about this proposed initiative!)