Photo credit: Gordon Dietzman, NPS
Welcome
So, how is the Mississippi River? Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) and the National Park Service’s Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) are pleased to present the second edition of the State of the River Report. In 2012, we partnered to develop the inagural State of the River Report. That report spurred a series of river management milestones, including closure of the Upper St. Anthony Lock, statewide phase-outs of triclosan and coal tar sealants, and improved targeting of state clean water funds. For the second edition, FMR and MNRRA once again ask the question: “So, how is the Mississippi River?” The State of the River Report highlights 14 key indicators of river health, and presents each in a way that non-scientists can understand. The report examines the status and trends of each indicator, and highlights strategies for improvement moving forward. In addition, we created the Stewardship Guide, which provides practical steps that anyone can take in their home, yard and community to improve the health of the river.
We also created a brand-new Teacher’s Guide to help teachers and students carry the lessons of the report into the classroom. FMR’s Policy Guide offers priority actions that federal, state and local leaders can take to address many of the concerns raised in this report. As individuals and as a society, we make choices that affect the river both for better or worse. The river is cleaner today because previous generations came together and demanded something better. What will future generations say we did to restore our beloved Mississippi River? We hope the State of the River Report will guide us toward a more healthy and sustainable river, for ourselves and for generations yet to come. For the river, Whitney L. Clark Executive Director, Friends of the Mississippi River John O. Anfinson Superintendent, National Park Service, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
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