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Do you think protecting the River is for the birds? Here's what Dean thinks...
When I was a college student in La Crosse, Wisconsin, I used to ride my bike down to the Mississippi and sit and think. Sometimes I sat and brooded. I was young, so I had a lot of brooding to get out of my system. The River was a calming presence for me. As I watched ducks swim by or observed the change of seasons, the River helped me feel connected to something bigger than myself. I’ve spent a lot of time along the Mississippi River since those years in college. The River still helps me feel connected to a larger world. But I’ve also seen changes in the River that worry me.
The changes we’ve made to the Mississippi for barges and flood protection have hurt the River’s world. The forests next to the River are in decline. While it’s great to see bald eagles repopulating along the River, many other species of birds are slipping away from us. The natural world of the Mississippi is in trouble.
That’s why I joined the Mississippi River Network (MRN). The Network is working to bring together people who care about the Mississippi to change the policies that have hurt the big River. Our voices matter. If we say nothing, the River will continue to decline. MRN helps amplify our voices so the people who make decisions about the River hear us more clearly.
- Dean Klinkenberg is an author and the owner of Mississippi Valley Traveler. He writes about the the people and places along the Mississippi River - including mysteries and Mississippi Valley Traveler Guidebooks.
When you give to the Mississippi River Network you are helping us implement solutions that help communities from New Orleans up to the headwaters of the Mississippi River in Minnesota. We work with River Citizens and member organizations, like Dean and Mississippi Valley Traveler, to help protect and restore vital River ecosystems that are home to people and wildlife.
Will you help us reach our Earth Month 2022 (April) goal of $2,500 to help the wellbeing of the people, land, water, and wildlife of the River?
Yes! I want to help the people, land, water and wildlife of the Mississippi River.
The Mississippi River Network (MRN) is fiscally sponsored by the Center for Rural Affairs. MRN is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization, and all donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. If you would like to send a check please make it out to MRN and mail to:
Mississippi River Network, P.O. Box 1463 La Grange Park, IL 60526
Email info@1mississippi.org with questions.
We appreciate your generous support.
Your gift will be put to work immediately to create a healthy Mississippi River for people, land, wildlife, and water.