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the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
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NATIONAL PARK WEEK RELATED ACTIVITIES
The week of festivities officially begins with an entrance fee-free day, when all national parks are free of charge on April 20th, 2024. The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is free year-round, although some partner parks, museums and historical sites within the MNRRA boundaries require parking passes or charge admission fees. Spend National Park Week learning about all six national park sites in Minnesota and start planning your next adventures.
Kickoff National Park Week @ Visitor Center (Feat. Freddie the Catfish)
Friday, April 19, 2024
11 AM -4 PM | Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Visitor Center -
120 W Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55102
Join Mississippi Park Connection at the Mississippi River Visitor Center to kick off a week of celebrations and fun events in honor of your national park! Stop in to say hello, snap a photo with our special guest, and learn about some of the incredible activities happening in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area this summer.
Saint Paul Citywide Cleanup
Saturday, April 20, 2024
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Hidden Falls Regional Park (North Gate)
Mississippi Park Connection and the National Park Service are hosting a site for Saint Paul’s Citywide Spring Cleanup at Hidden Falls Regional Park (North Gate). This event will be hosted rain or shine, so don’t forget to dress for the weather. Volunteers of all ages with appropriate supervision can join in on the fun! Stop by any time between 9 a.m. and 11:30 am.
Member Monday - Give a gift on Earth Day
Monday, April 22, 2024
All Day | Virtual
Membership is one of the best ways to support your national park on Earth Day. Mississippi Park Connection members support wildlife surveys, youth education programs, and incredible events that connect you to the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Members are also eligible for discounts on summer events and programs and gain early access to special events. Sign up today and your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar!
National Park Week Party!
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Surly Brewing Co - 520 Malcolm Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Toast your Mississippi River during National Park Week! Join us for an evening of fun, discovery, and appreciation for the wonders of the Mississippi River! Gather with staff, volunteers, and members passionate about the Mississippi River during this informal open house. Registration is FREE. Suggested donation of $10.
National Park Service - Bring Your Kid to Work Day
Thursday, April 25, 2024
ALL DAY | Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Headquarters - 111 E Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55101
Bring a Kid to Work Day is an annual event held on the 4th Thursday of April. This year's event will be on Thursday, April 25, 2024, with the theme, "Inspire 2 Aspire," instilling a mindset that children can choose their own futures. On this day park staff are encouraged to bring their kid to work. You can support your child’s love for the outdoors and national parks with take-home activities.
Soloing the Mississippi River, feat. Devin Brown, Program Manager, Mississippi Park Connection
Thursday, April 25, 2024
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Bad Weather Brewing, Hosted by Great River Passage Conservancy, 1Mississippi
Have you ever wondered what it's like to canoe or kayak all ~2,300 miles of our Mississippi River? Join us for a powerful conversation featuring acclaimed author and speaker Eddy Harris, Mississippi River Network Director of Outreach and Education Michael Anderson, and Mississippi Park Connection Program Manager Devin Brown. Eddy and Michael have paddled thousands of miles, including soloing the entire Mississippi River, and Devin is preparing to launch her Mississippi River 'source to sea' paddle this spring!
Hosted by Great River Passage Conservancy and 1 Mississippi at Bad Weather Brewing Company in Saint Paul, where food and drink will be available for purchase.
Unable to join in person? Watch the event online!
Arbor Day - Lunch n’ Learn
Friday, April 26, 2024
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Virtual - 120 West Kellogg Boulevard Saint Paul, MN 55102
In celebration of Arbor Day, we are hosting a virtual Lunch n’ Learn about past and current tree campaigns at the park! The Plant for the Future (PFF) project was a joint Mississippi Park Connection and National Park Service campaign to plant 15,000 trees throughout the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area from 2017-2021, addressing canopy gaps from emerald ash borer and low natural floodplain regeneration.
The Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) is an international network of research plots developed in partnership between researchers and managers. In 2020, the first urban and floodplain forest installation in the network was established at Crosby Farm Regional Park, with trees planted from the PFF campaign. We will share background information and preliminary results from the ASCC plots and the PFF campaign.
Junior Ranger Day
Saturday, April 27, 2024
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Mississippi River Visitor Center - 120 West Kellogg Boulevard Saint Paul, MN 55102
The whole family is invited! Celebrate Junior Ranger Day at the Mississippi River Visitor Center. Take part in the seasonal RE-Opening of Family Tree Walks, learn about pollinators, and make your own Mason Bee House!
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National Park Week Stories
Geology
FOSSIL HUNTING ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Shadow Falls Park has an amazing trail to explore for fossils and learn about the geological history of the Mississippi River. You can find fossils in the shale bed alongside the trail.
Explore
TIPS FOR FOREST BATHING ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
A walk in the woods is scientifically proven to reduce stress and improve mental health. By intentionally focusing on the natural world, our minds can find inner calm. Here’s how.
Wildlife
WILDLIFE ON THE MINNEAPOLIS RIVERFRONT
Just steps from skyscrapers, you can walk out onto the lock and catch a glimpse of many flighted, finned and web-footed river residents. Grab your binoculars and keep a look out for these wildlife.
Trees and Plants
TREES AND PLANTS YOU CAN FIND IN THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL RIVER AND RECREATION AREA
People come to the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) for hiking and fishing, but the beautiful trees and flowers really make the trek memorable.
History
WOMEN OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Women of the Mississippi River is a collection of stories on historical and contemporary women who contributed immensely to the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
Survey
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE BEAVER SURVEY
The park is organizing a community science effort to better understand the floodplain forest’s most industrious mammal. Did you spot beaver activity on the Mississippi River? Report your observations and contribute to beaver surveying at the park.