Tiny Seeds to Towering Legacies: Cultivating Growth on the River
Most seeds have within them a small but powerful force. Arising from the dormant seed after careful exposure to just the right amount of water and oxygen, the delicate cotyledon breaks through the seed coat. The cotyledon – the fragile and first leaves to emerge from a seed during germination – provides nourishment to the embryonic plant before photosynthesis kicks into gear. From this humble beginning, a great and towering tree grows.
In the lifecycle of a nonprofit, I like to think of the time up to this point as Mississippi Park Connection’s phase of the cotyledon. Nearly twenty years ago, the first leaf of a nonprofit grew when the National Park Service actively sought to form a friend’s group that would support its efforts. Over the years, more leaves were added as dedicated community members who wanted to support the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area cultivated our organization through volunteerism and philanthropy.
Since then, MPC has increased its ability to support the river through fundraising, programming, and partnerships. In 2023 alone, we planted nearly 1,000 trees, connected over 17,000 students to the river through youth education programs, co-created 14 safe and welcoming affinity programs for 209 BIPOC and LGBTQI+ attendees, and gave 3,206 people the equipment they needed to kayak the Mississippi River through Mississippi River Paddle Share – our biggest year yet! Through programs, Mississippi Park Connection has sustained our mission of enriching the life of the river and the lives of all who experience the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
To grow beyond the cotyledon phase, a tree must grow woody infrastructure that builds the internal strength that is necessary to lift its tall canopy to the sky. In our case, we are making investments in new staff positions like a new assistant director, program manager, and part-time office assistant, to help us reach more people in service to our mission. In the coming years, we will support the National Park Service in finding a more permanent home at the Mississippi River Learning Center and National Park Headquarters. In addition to this, we will launch Paddle Share 2.0 with an improved user interface and customer experience in 2024 that will expand our ability to connect more people to the river through kayaking; restore more habitats and tree canopy throughout the park corridor; and reach many more people throughout the Twin Cities and beyond through BIPOC in the Outdoors, public programs and events, and more.
Like a young tree, Mississippi Park Connection is strong and stable, with more room to grow. With your continued support, we are extending our branches and providing places of respite along the river – your National Park. Thank you for being a friend of the park, and cheers to a fruitful 2024!
Barry Clegg
Board Chair
Ellen Reed
Executive Director
M. Tucker Blythe
Superintendent of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
An Outdoor Classroom for All
In 2023, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of Big River Journey - the floating classroom that connects thousands of elementary school students to on-river experiences in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. In partnership with the National Park Service, outdoor and online youth education programs provide a fresh, hands-on approach to the ways learning can be integrated with the outdoors, empowering students to become avid learners, and enabling them to begin building lifelong relationships with the river. Take Me to the River, Winter River, Working River, and partnerships with Wilderness Inquiry for Canoemobile and the Mississippi River Explorers programs create ladders of opportunities for kids to discover the Mississippi River’s national park from 3rd grade through the end of high school.
This year, we updated Mississippi Park Connection’s online educator portal. More than 3,500 educators and students from across the state accessed parkconnection.org/learn.
New ideas were also tested. A new Education Resource Development Team of 12 education professionals brought new ideas for curricula and programming for the future River Learning Center and piloted a field trip at Crosby Farm Regional Park in June.
Mississippi Park Connection’s youth education programs are generously funded by the National Park Foundation's Open Outdoors For Kids Grant Program, Xcel Energy Foundation, Ecolab Foundation, and generous members who contribute to the Ticket to Ride Scholarship Fund.
River Learning Center Pilot Program
The River Learning Center pilot program was a culmination of efforts created by the all-educator Resource Development Team in order to test out new curriculum and lesson plan ideas that could work at the future Mississippi River Learning Center. Saint Paul teacher and Big River Teacher of the Year award winner, Megan Doerr, volunteered her class to test three new stations that included learning about beavers, macro-invertebrates, and the floodplain forest.
Emerging Outdoor Leaders Share Their Talents
The Mississippi River Fellowship has supported college-aged young adults from historically underrepresented communities since 2014 in exploring careers in the outdoors. This year’s fellows worked alongside National Park Rangers, Mississippi Park Connection staff, and other park partners to facilitate educational programs, volunteer habitat restoration events, and wildlife monitoring during their 10-week, paid internship in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
Elise
Originally from the Twin Cities, Elise is a sophomore at the University of Vermont. Elise is studying Sustainability, Ecology, and Policy (SEP), with a special concentration in Ecology. Elise is also pursuing a minor in Plant Biology and indulging in a bit of extra fun through a minor in Studio Art.
“I have been able to grow and hone so many of my skills, especially one of my favorites, plant identification. While being exposed to all different opportunities for the wide variety of careers in the environmental field, the fellowship also catered to my passions. It gave me many opportunities to spend more time in what I was specifically interested in.”
Sairoong is originally from Madison, WI and attends UMN-Twin Cities. She is a senior studying Environmental Science, Policy, and Management and minors in Sustainable Food Systems and Urban Studies.
“The most fulfilling part of the fellowship was being able to learn from, educate, and work with other community members. I gained a much deeper appreciation for the generations of care and resilience that have preserved the Mississippi’s diverse ecosystems.”
Sairoong
Mississippi River Crew
The Mississippi River Crew provides an additional avenue for exploring careers with the National Park Service and Mississippi Park Connection. In partnership with Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa, the Mississippi River Crew tended four community tree nurseries, restored 76 acres as dying canopy trees and non-native plants were removed, and planted 3,136 trees, shrubs, and native plants with support from the MISS Volunteer-In-Parks Program. They also engaged with dozens of community partners and removed more than 200 pounds of trash during this year’s Earth Day events!
Sharing Joyful Days on the Water
Mississippi River Paddle Share
Mississippi River Paddle Share provided many opportunities for parkgoers to experience joy on the river in 2023. Paddling inspires individuals to incorporate river recreation into their relationships with the outdoors and builds confidence at the river’s edge.
This intimate connection with the river allows visitors to discover this vital artery that runs through the heart of the Twin Cities. Available Paddle Share routes stretch over 23 miles along the Mississippi River and are also available at Pickerel Lake. With Mississippi River Paddle Share, park visitors can explore the river from a thrilling perspective - the water!
In addition to self-service kayak rentals, in 2023 Mississippi River Paddle Share supported public programming through Mississippi Park Connection and the National Park Service that included:
3,206 people served through Mississippi River Paddle Share
29 Paddle with a Ranger events
4 Kayaking while BIPOC events
1 LGBTQI+ Pride Paddle
This past year, Mississippi Park Connection and the National Park Service had the pleasure of hosting Minnesota United Football Club players on the river as they searched for loons, the official mascot of their team, and other birds found along the river.
“Mississippi Park Connection continuously strives to make sure our community is engaged, educated, and proactive in protecting our national park system. We are proud to work with a dynamic team that helps to uplift our Greener Goals pillar at Minnesota United. Together we’re committed to the ecological health of our community. ”
Stewarding the River for Future Generations
Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) Network Study
In collaboration with the city of Saint Paul, the University of Minnesota, the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science, the U.S. Forest Service and the Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change Network (ASCC Network), the ongoing project celebrated its third year this fiscal period. Dedicated volunteers and staff members have diligently conducted research to identify tree species flourishing in the floodplain forest. The outcomes of this research aim to provide valuable insights for enhancing forest management strategies, particularly within the Mississippi River National Recreation Area and other floodplain forests.
Photos by: Shari L. Gross, Star Tribune
Ten Years of Coldwater Spring
Beginning in 2013, a small group of staff and volunteers came together two times a week to remove buckthorn, pick up trash, and plant native plants at Mni Owe Sni/Coldwater Spring. Dubbed the Coldwater Crew, the group spends most days removing buckthorn. This year, the crew celebrated its 10-year anniversary of caring for the spring and the surrounding landscape.
“I take pride in being a part of the prairie restoration. I enjoy seeing the living prairie change by the week, by the season and through the years. This city boy is grateful that NPS and MPC have created a volunteer opportunity that suits the part of me that needs dirt on my hands, dust on my boots and green stains on my clothes.”
Connecting to the River
Through the BIPOC in the Outdoors program, Mississippi Park Connection provides direct access for BIPOC Twin Cities residents to connect with the Mississippi River in a way that feels relatable and judgment-free. Programming such as kayaking and hiking along the river, and plant and tree identification are the direct result of community interest and feedback. Participants are encouraged to lead and share what they know about the outdoors to expand narratives of the human relationship to the Mississippi River and the land.
This year, we increased the capacity of the program by hiring three Program Specialists to innovate the future of the program with an emphasis on kayaking and recreation, Dakota cultural interpretation at Mni Owe Sni, and mushroom identification.
“I was hesitant coming [to a BIPOC in the Outdoors event], but halfway through the hike, I told my friend that I would do something like this again. Plus, I would love to invite my friends who love nature but are hesitant because it’s an otherwise very white space. Loved it!”
Programming for BIPOC in the Outdoors is made possible by:
Bigelow Foundation
Hennepin County Green Partners
Minneapolis Park Foundation People for Parks Fund
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
And support from Mississippi Park Connection members!
2023 BIPOC in the Outdoors community partners include:
Friends of the Mississippi River
National Park Service
Saint Paul Parks and Recreation
Urban Bird Collective
Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi
“Access to the restorative and healing wonders of nature is a fundamental human need. And access is too often obstructed or made difficult for some communities. Mississippi Park Connection’s work to create access to the outdoors for BIPOC communities is in full alignment with our aspiration to create an equitable, just and vibrant Minnesota where all people and communities thrive. We are proud supporters of this work to make the beauty of Minnesota available to all.”
“Throughout U.S. history, black
communities have faced systematic
abuse, ranging from a lack of clean
drinking water to the closure of public
swimming pools during protests
against integration. Additionally,
thriving black towns have been
unjustly transformed into lakes
to thwart wealth accumulation.
PaddleShare, along with Kayaking
While BIPOC programs, begins the
process of healing that generational
trauma by not only building confidence
in a kayak or in the outdoors, but by
teaching a lesson in perseverance and
feeling internal peace.”
Experiencing the Park
National Public Lands Day
Mississippi Park Connection, the National Park Service, the MN Department of Natural Resources, and members of the community joined to celebrate National Public Lands Day! After boarding the Padelford Riverboat and sailing from Harriet Island to Pig’s Eye Island Scientific and Natural Area, 100 volunteers cleaned up 30 bags of trash, ranging from bottles to an old tire. National Public Lands Day occurs on the fourth Saturday in September, and was begun in 1994 by the National Environmental Education Foundation - NEEF, in partnership with the National Park Service and other agencies, to promote outdoor recreation, public appreciation, and volunteer stewardship of our public lands. 2023 marked the holiday’s 30-year anniversary, though we at Mississippi Park Connection and the National Park Service encourage everyone to connect every day.
For future opportunities to volunteer, visit parkconnection.org/volunteer.
Park After Dark
“Park After Dark was an invitation for people to experience what normally is unseen. Living in an urban center, we often don’t see many stars, so it was a great opportunity to showcase my augmented reality Dakota Star Knowledge installation that visitors could access through their smartphones and enjoy the stars anytime.”
BIPOC Tree Planting
“On a cool, but sunny day, Mississippi Park Connection and Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi staff led 25 volunteers to Wakán Tipi to plant 70+ trees and hundreds of prairie plants. After a sage-smudging ceremony, we walked through the golden prairie to the hillside planting area.
As they worked, personal stories emerged - memories of Abuela’s yard work and a first-time tree planter joyfully connecting with dirt - interactions that highlight a universal bond with nature.”
FINANCIALS
– October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023 –
*Some funds that were raised in 2023 will be used for 2024 program expenses.
Board Members
Mangala Acharya, Product Owner - Order Management, Georgia Pacific
Courtney Anderson, Senior Audit Associate, Baker Tilly
Barry Clegg, Board Chair, Attorney, Lathrop GPM
John B. Driscoll
Peter Ebnet, Senior Strategic Policy Advisor, Office of Mayor Frey, City of Minneapolis
James Eastman
Kevion Ellis, Vice President of Business and Talent Development, Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce
Rebecca Haddad, Director of Development, Hennepin Theater Trust
Dianne Hickok, Board Treasurer, CPA
Sam Holsen, Team Lead, Social Investments, Xcel Energy
Cathy Jordan, Associate Director for Leadership & Education, Institute on the Environment; Associate Professor, Pediatrics and Extension, University of Minnesota Consulting Research Director, Children and Nature Network
Isadora Korak, Corporate Responsibility Manager, Winnebago Industries
Leslie Kinsman, Vice President of Marketing and Customer Experience, Legrand
Kristin Rasmussen, Board Secretary, Panacetacea
Andy Rodriguez, Director, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, Office of Mayor Carter, City of Saint Paul
Ramesh Sairam, Geriatric Psychiatrist, Allina Mental Health
Mark Sullivan, Global Content Operations Director, 3M
Amanda Wigen, Wigen Consulting LLC; Owámniyomni Okhódayapi
Mississippi Park Connection Staff
Devin Brown, Program Manager
Lisa Ferguson, Bookkeeping Services
Tamara Few, Program Coordinator
Lily Jones, Communications & Marketing Coordinator
David Kappelhoff, Education Coordinator
Marielle Mateo, Forestry Program Coordinator
Katie Nyberg, Past Executive Director
Ellen Reed, Executive Director
Karen Solas, Stewardship Director
Ze Thao Sengsoulichanh, Communications and Development Manager
Emma Vanhdy, Volunteer Coordinator
Anna Waugh, Assistant Director
Program Specialist: Deacon DeBoer, Alphonso Le, and Jessica Miller
AmeriCorps Service Members
Laura Crossman, Community Forestry AmeriCorps Member
Maricio Madrigal, Community Volunteer Ambassador
Mississippi River Educators
Jean Buckley
Sue Dahl
Cathy Eiss
Mark Lex
Lora Pedersen
Jessica Richardson
Sheila Sullivan
Mississippi River Fellows
Elise
Sairoong
Mississippi River Crew (Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa)
Duke Iverson
Krishnan Kutty
Jack Sadowski
Eric Anderson
Jessica Herbrand
Jen Isham
Thank you, Contributors
– October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023 –
Contributions of $100,000+
Contributions of $25,000-$49,999
Contributions of $10,000-$24,999
Contributions of $5,000-$9,999
Contributions of $1,000-$4,999
Allianz Life Corporate Giving
Anonymous
Denny and Cindy Appleman
Nick Boreen
Boston Scientific
Barry Clegg and Roberta Swanson+
Judith Fawcett
Sandy Fuller
Susan and Bert Gross
Hands on Twin Cities
Kandy Heiman
Anne Hunt
Bill Idzorek
Romelle Inez Castle
Leslie Kinsman+
Mildred McLean and Daniel Waugh
Tony and Pat McLean In honor of Anna Waugh and Cyrus Butler
Dan Miller
Bob Milligan and Sharon Danes
Minnesota United Soccer Club LLC
Phyllis Moen
Chris Mortenson and Nathalie Salas Gonzalez+
National Environmental Education Foundation
National Parks Conservation Association
Laurel Sanford
Les and Karen Suzukamo
The Alces Trust
Lisa and Nolan Venkatrathnam
Contributions of $500-$999
Courtney Anderson
Edna Brazaitis
Tim Carl and Jean Garbarini
Rebecca Haddad
Nathan and Julia Cross
Edward Heimel and Christine Klejbuk
Cline and Dianne Hickok+
Cynthia Kriha and James P. Eastman+
Maggie Lorenz
Margaret Miller and Jenise Rowekamp
Mark and Katie Mortenson
Katie and Jeff Nyberg
Scott Parkin+
Jeff and Angela Parsons
David Schmidt and Sara Klasky
Carol Sibbel
John and Rebecca Siekmeier
Jim Stensvold and Sarah Kline-Stensvold
Stone Arch Bridge Festival LLC
The Hive Fund In honor of Paul Johannsen
Lee Vue
Anna Waugh and Cyrus Butler
Amanda Wigen and Connor O'Meara+
John Zakelj
Contributions of $250-$499
Marie Asgian
Beam Suntory*
Jeannette Cleland and Tim Schumann
Edward and Sherry Ann Dayton
Michael Dorn
Nancy Feldman
William and Sue Fletcher
Bruce and Laurel Gaard
Brian Goodspeed
Mary Hilfiker
Catherine Jordan and Fred Dulles+
Isadora Korak+
Bill and Jeanne Kosfeld
Greg Lais and Patti Thurber
Lawrence McCabe
Karla and Peter Myers
Joan and Richard Newmark
Bill Nicol
Jamie Perez
Deb Ryun
Ramesh Sairam+
Thomas and Barb Schommer
Mark and Julie Sullivan
Jerrilyn Thompson
Leo Timmons and Kate Havelin
Frances Van Houten
Saint Anthony Falls and Mississippi River Visitor Center
Stacy Walts
Alan and Lynn Wyman+
Contributions of $100-$249
Harish and Mangala Acharya
Bruce Allyn
John Anfinson
Anonymous In honor of Mariah Weitzenkamp
Sheila Ashcraft
Jake and Kim Austin
Alexander Bahr
Josh Bergeron
Elizabeth Bergman
Thelma Boeder
William and Margaret Bracken
Breadsmith*
Tom Breviu
Robert Bruininks and Susan Hagstrum
Kevin Callahan
Ann Calvert
Mary Carpenter
Lupe Castillo
Bennie and Kathy Cohen
Stewart Corn and Ellen Ferrari
Steve Dietz and Janet Malotky
Megan Doerr
Dan and Ariel Dressler+
Nancy Duncan
Pam Erler
Pat and Tim Fischer
Meg Forney+
Dorothy Fuss
Charles Brian Godfrey
Christine Goepfert
Jay Gorsegner
Mary Hammes+
Sam Holsen
Esmeralda Huerta
Holly Jett
Steve and Debbie Johnson
Lisa Keitel+
Mark Kinney and Jeff Dow
Vonny and Justin Kleinman
Ellen Kluz
Sarah Kottke
Joan Kreider
JoAnn Kyral
Sue and Paul Labovitz
MB Lardizabal and Alex Marie
Amber Larson
Steve and Lynn Lewis
Marti Lybeck
Don and Abby Marier
Paul Markwardt
Rachel Martin
Rebecca and Chris Newhouse
Victoria Nikonov
Diane Steen-Hinderlie and John Olson+
Sandra Pappas
Saunya Peterson
Gabrielle Pillmann
Jennifer Plombon and Stephen Haines
Chuck Nelson and Jean Urman
Qwest Corporation
Ellen and Fred Reed
Lynn and Kevan Rehm
Alan Robbins-Fenger
Jim Roe
Jim Rustad
Dwaine Schense
Wade Schmelzer
Rattana Sengsoulichanh and Ze Thao Sengsoulichanh
Russ Stark and Katherine Murray
Peter and Caron Stebinger
David Stevens
Chuck Stupca
The Mission Continues
Lyndon Torstenson+
Justin Tweet
Urban Roots*
Linda and Tony Valois
Guff Van Vooren and Vicki Raport
Richard and Gloria Wachtler
John Waugh and Kathleen Lively
Marilyn (Casey) Wells and Doug Throckmorton
Jennifer and Brandon Wiltgen
Contributions Up to $99
Anonymous
Andrew Marotz
Rebecca Aldridge
Ameriprise Financial
Michael and Rebecca Amidon
Dean and Janet Anderson
Urmi Bapat
John Bartlett
Malcolm and Mary Ann Bastron
Bonita Benson
Brenda Beyer
Deborah Biorn
Bethany Birnie
Simba Blood
Susan Boris
Christopher Boyer
Elizabeth Branca
Laura Bray+
Ralph Broad
Jennifer Brookins
Jeanne and Marilyn Caturia
Daniel Clarkin
Mary Kay Conway
Arielle Courtney
Matt Cullen
Deborah Cuneo
Deacon DeBoer
Nancy Desmond and Susan Albrecht
Taylor Dubelko
Jessica Dugan
Trudy Dunham
Mary Dushane
Kathryn Eastman
Ronald Edlund
Sarah Edman
William Edney
Forest Eidbo
Scott Erickson
Tab Fellows
Becky Fillinger
Catherine Fleming
John Francis
Susan Fredstrom
Gail Freedman
Danielle Frokjer
Stephanie Frost
Heather Gardner
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Daniel Handeen
Richard Hansen
Rich Harrison
Christina Hausman Rhode
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Norma Herther and Kevin Loney
Nell Holden
Lisa Hondros
Beth Hvass
Sonja Jenko
Abby Jensen
Alora Jones+
Meg Jones
Ramya Kamath and Raghuveera Bhat
Karen Katz
Jon Keljik and Kim Rosenfield
Barbara and Michael Kelly
Jane Kilgriff
Glenn Klapperich
Yvonne Kolling In memorial of Alan William Griffin
Christine Kowalchyk
Melody Kpahn
Joseph Kuznik
Deborah Lane
Vernese Lathrop
Rubin Latz
Joan Lentz
Sherryl Livingston and James Lundy
Paul Lubinski
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Sumbal Mahmud
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Lauren Melcher
Kari Binning
Tabitha Mitchell
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Marceleen Mosher
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Mark Murphy and Kathryn Ludwig
Kathleen Murphy
Neal Nehring
Jessica and Zach Nelson
Megan Noetzel
Tracy Nordstrom
Louise Ogden
Roger Otstot
Deborah Pollak
Kay Pollard
Jacalyn Prentice
Margaret Purcell-Alberg and Robert Alberg
Gregory Pyke
Linda Quammen
Mary Radtke and Emma Schaper
Bridget Rau
Scott Reichmann
Suzanne Rhees
Linda Rosaaen and Hans Cederblad
Annamarie and Michelle Rutledge
Kelly Rynda
Callie Sacarelos+
Zane Sacarelos
Darryl and Diane Sannes
Carissa Scanlan
Vernon Schaaf
June Schifsky
Ellen and Dana Schnobrich
Rick Schultz
Brian Schumm In memorial of Gordon Schumm
Ann Seigel
Michelle Smith
Trista Soave
Kit Spielberger
Peter and Caron Stebinger
Laurel Stiebler
Erin Stinson
Kyle Sutherland
Greg Svendsen
Mikaela Swanlund
Kinnell Tackett
Amy Tebbe
Frank and Terri Tilotta
Ariel Tilson
Joanne Trygestad
Elizabeth and Dean Van Hoever
Michael Walker
Kristen Weber
Gregory Webster
Catherine A. Wick
Elizabeth Wielinski
Brenda Wolfe
David Woods
Tom Yuska
John Zielinski
*In-Kind Donations
Special thanks to those donors who made a gift in honor of Katie Nyberg, past Executive Director of Mississippi Park Connection. Donors are recognized with +.
We make every attempt to provide an accurate listing of donors. If we have omitted your name or if other changes should be made, please contact us at 651-291-8164 and we will correct your record immediately.
The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) was established in 1998 when voters approved a constitutional amendment to secure permanent funds from Minnesota State Lottery proceeds and investment income.
The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) is a coalition of senators, representatives, governors, and citizens, that reviews and recommends projects to receive ENRTF funding. Once recommended, the projects are presented to the Minnesota Legislature for approval. We are grateful to the LCCMR and for the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund that approved funding to support beaver research and the adaptive silviculture for climate change study mentioned in this report.
Legacy Gift: Lyndon Torstenson
“Paddling a third-handed canoe on a small Minnesota River as a kid began my fascination with nature and started me on my path as a life-long river lover. Later I became a teacher and park ranger because I came to believe that the greatest need in the world is to connect kids with nature and to teach them that water is part of us, that trees, birds, animals and rivers are our family, our refuge, and our birthright. We care for what we love, so we protect and nurture our family. I’ve made the Mississippi Park Connection a beneficiary in my will because I believe that one of the best things I can do is to nurture future river stewards, to ensure that kids can enjoy and understand and love the Mississippi River, and because I trust MPC to help make that happen. That’s a legacy worth supporting!”
- Lyndon Torstenson, Former Youth Education Director, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
Make a legacy gift in your will. Learn more at parkconnection.org/donate.
