FMR's new Stewardship & Education Program Director

We're excited that paddler, writer and river-lover Natalie Warren joined our staff in November to lead our Stewardship & Education program.

Welcome, Natalie!

Originally from Miami, Florida, Natalie fell in love with Minnesota through attending YMCA Camp Menogyn as a teenager and has been here paddling the lakes and rivers in this region ever since. In 2013 Natalie paddled the entire length of the Mississippi when she says the great river's charms really got under her skin.

In her career, Natalie has worked to bring greater awareness to rivers through environmental education, policy, writing and research.

Natalie founded an organization to use rivers as dynamic classrooms for youth before working in environmental policy on the St. Croix River. She has published a book, "Hudson Bay Bound," about her 85-day, 2,000-mile canoe journey from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay. Earlier this year she completed her Ph.D. in Communication Studies at the University of Minnesota, where she studied how people relate to the Mississippi River to better inform federal policy. 

Natalie is also a musician, gardener, writer, paddler and mother living in St. Anthony with her husband, two kids and dog.

"We're incredibly fortunate to be able to add Natalie to our team at FMR," said FMR Executive Director Whitney Clark. "She's already led an exemplary life of caring for, teaching about and enjoying rivers. She brings all of that to advance FMR's work."

Natalie's role at FMR

Here at FMR, Natalie will grow the Stewardship & Education program through building new partnerships and providing more on-water opportunities for the public to engage with the Mississippi River. Her goal is to support staff and enhance existing programming — volunteer events, youth education and career pathways — through fundraising, grant writing and project management.

Of her new position, Natalie said: "I'm excited to work with the Stewardship & Education team to foster a vibrant community of care so that we feel energized and supported to do the vital work of bringing people to the Mississippi River."

Read more about our staff and board.