Did you know the Mississippi River is a crucial source of drinking water for over 18 million people?  Our country’s mightiest river has a powerful impact on our lives and we collectively have an impact on it as well. In fact, every action taken within its watershed effects water quality, wildlife and people downstream. Right now, unfortunately, the once mighty Mississippi is in trouble. Pollution, loss of wetlands, erosion and other issues has caused our great River to decline. With such a large River touching 10 different states, no one had stepped up to create a unified voice to come to its aide, leading the National Academy of Science to call it an “orphan."

For the last five years, 1 Mississippi, the only national campaign for the River, has been growing a nationwide movement of people who are sharing the responsibility to take care of the big River. Everyday these people, known as River Citizens, are making River friendly choices like selecting native plants for their yards, attending River cleanups or demanding more thoughtful policy from local and national officials, along with a variety of other activities. By continually growing awareness of the challenges that threaten the Mississippi River, River Citizens are challenging and changing the way their communities view the River and their ability to influence its future. 

To support River Citizens all along the River 1 Mississippi shares the best science available on issues like pollution, flooding and invasive species, and helps people understand how they can make an impact on these issues in their daily lives. Leading the campaign in the St. Louis/Alton area is James Greene.  You can expect to see James and learn more about how 1 Mississippi is informing and inspiring everyday people to take action to help the River at all the earth/river-related events of the season, such as St. Louis Earth Day and Mississippi Earthtones Festival. Please stop by and say hello! 

If you are interested in helping as a guardian and caretaker of the Mighty Mississippi, a true national treasure, join in the fun and become a River Citizen at an event, by mail, or online at 1mississippi.org, and become a part of a community of over 13,000 River Citizens, in all 50 states.

Go out and get involved this season and learn about the importance of our one and only Mississippi River!