Adapting to the Rivers Flow
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Barry Clegg
Board Chair
Ellen Reed
Executive Director
M. Tucker Blythe
Superintendent of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
Mississippi River Learning: A Unified Vision for Education and Stewardship
Mississippi Park Connection (MPC) is a proud supporter of the National Park Service’s Mississippi River Learning Program, which connects students and teachers to Standards-Based educational programs at the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. National Park Service field trip programs empower young people to develop a lifelong relationship with the Mississippi River while connecting learning with the natural world in order to deepen their understanding of the river’s ecological and cultural significance.
Last year, we supported the park in rebranding the program to provide a unified and cohesive identity that makes it easier for educators to recognize and engage with the park’s offerings. Thanks to the help of a volunteer, Vivian Young, who has more than 30 years of graphic design experience with Golden Gate National Park, we created a new catalog for teachers and educators that is helping to clarify program offerings across all grade levels and helping schools find opportunities for transportation and stipends that defray their costs in accessing these incredible experiences.
Thanks to the increased outreach, we were able to offer XXX Title-One schools a bus stipend or scholarship.
This work was made possible thanks to the generous support of Mississippi Park Connection members and grant support from the National Park Foundation, Xcel Energy Foundation, and Ecolab Foundation.
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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.
Riya
Riya is a freshman at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI, majoring in environmental studies. Passionate about urban environmental justice and ecological sustainability, Riya has worked with Friends of the Mississippi River to make green spaces and the river more accessible for everyone through youth programs.
“The fellowship with Mississippi Park Connection was an incredible experience that allowed me to explore my interests and explore the unique National Park around me. Throughout my time, we explored many branches of the National Park Service: Interpretation, Education, Cultural Resources, Natural Resources, and Planning. I have always loved the Mississippi River, but this fellowship gave me access to a plethora of opportunities in the river ecosystems and community. I am so grateful to have had this role! ”
TJ is a junior at Macalester College double majoring in Environmental and Educational Studies. Growing up in Maple Grove, MN, he developed a love for the outdoors through kayaking and hiking.
“I have made connections that will be invaluable for the future, and done things I never thought I could. Organizing, advertising, and running a BIPOC paddling event wasn’t something I considered at the start of the fellowship, but with all the support I received that impossibility became reality. I now have the confidence and desire to organize similar events in the future.”
Riya
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 undertook several significant initiatives":
Invasive Species Removal: At Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, the crew removed invasive buckthorn, which had been choking the forest and preventing growth on the forest floor. This effort opened the area for natural regeneration and increased biodiversity.
Replanting Native Species: Following the removal of invasive species, the crew replanted the area with native shrubs and plants, fostering a healthier ecosystem.
Educational Engagement: Crew members gained hands-on experience in habitat management, tree inventory, and conservation techniques, working closely with land managers, researchers, and volunteers.
These efforts have significantly contributed to the restoration and preservation of forest habitats within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
Stewarding the River for Future Generations
Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) Plots in 2024
In its fourth year, the 20-year ASCC study at Crosby Farm Regional Park showcased the resilience and adaptability of staff, volunteers, and the trees themselves in the face of extreme weather. The Mississippi River’s historic mid-summer flood peaked on June 29 at 20.17 feet, temporarily submerging research plots under six to eight feet of water. In response, staff acted quickly to remove data instruments before the flood and adapted their approach to phenology data collection. Undeterred by the challenging conditions, a team of experienced paddlers from Mississippi Park Connection and the National Park Service conducted surveys by canoe, skillfully navigating debris and strong currents to gather critical observations on tree responses to flooding.
Once floodwaters receded in late July, volunteers and staff from Mississippi Park Connection and Andersen Corporation worked together to restore all 24 plots, repairing fencing and clearing debris. Their ability to adapt and problem-solve in rapidly changing conditions highlights the strength of the ASCC program. Moving forward, data collected this year will be analyzed by the University of Minnesota to assess how extreme weather impacts floodplain forests. As climate change brings more unpredictable conditions, the ASCC study continues to provide vital insights, ensuring the long-term health and resilience of these ecosystems.
Restoring Mussels, Reviving the River: Volunteer Efforts in Mississippi National River & Recreation Area
Mississippi Park Connection is proud to support wildlife monitoring within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area through our joint-volunteer program with the National Park Service. Volunteers help to support National Park Rangers in monitoring for Beavers, River Otters, Mussels, Migratory Birds, Frogs, and more!
Ranger Allie Holdhusen describes one opportunity from last summer:
NPS supports a cohort of dedicated partners including the USACE, USFWS, USGS, MN and WI DNR’s to restore and protect mussel populations in the Mississippi River and Tributaries. This past year we partnered with USACE and MN DNR to survey reaches of Pool 2 from Hidden Falls to Hastings, searching for recovering populations of endangered Higgins eye mussels and rare habitats needed for endangered Spectaclecase mussels. Scuba divers and biologists found many shorelines had changed dramatically from the large flood, with some areas previously known to be mussel beds found buried in mud and sand from erosion. We also found Higgins eye mussels to be recovering in Pool 2 after 15+ years of restoration work, a huge success for our ongoing partnership efforts. We are also forming strong partnerships to restore federally endangered ‘winged mapleleaf’ and spectaclecase mussels, with restoration efforts underway to restore these species to historic ranges and protect their host fish in NPS waterways.
It’s important to consider that as recently as the 1970’s mussels were nearly absent from our stretch of the river, and today MISS hosts 29 of the historic 41 species, which is a huge rebound in our lifetimes, thanks to improvements in water quality and stewardship efforts. Quality habitats and low numbers of invasive zebra mussels in the upper reaches of the Park make our waters a unique and valuable refuge for freshwater mussels.
While mussels have made a comeback here, they face compounding threats and stressors from development, dams, dredging and the spread of invasive species, water pollution like chloride from road salts, and extreme weather events. Floods and shifting channels are a natural part of river dynamics, but the more recent, notable floods and higher river discharge could have impacts on mussel populations that can be difficult to track. For sensitive species like the endangered Winged Mapleleaf, Snuffbox, Spectaclecase, and Higgins eye mussels these stressors are significant threats to the survival of the species, some of which have last remaining populations in small reaches of the Upper Mississippi River and it’s tributaries.
Thanks to dedicated monitoring volunteers for supporting this and other monitoring efforts within the National Park, we can help support these critical and endangered species.
Expanding Access & Community
In 2024, Mississippi Park Connection continued to create inclusive outdoor experiences, fostering a deeper connection to nature for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in the Twin Cities. Our programs provide opportunities to explore the Mississippi River and its surrounding parks in welcoming, community-centered spaces that encourage everyone to find belonging in the outdoors. In 2024, Mississippi Park Connection hosted XX events, reaching XXX individuals.
In previous years, the program focused on outdoor activities that expanded narratives of the human relationship with the river and land, including kayaking, tree planting, tree identification, and mushroom foraging. This past year, we built on this foundation by introducing gatherings encouraging personal reflection and deeper connections to nature. New events included yoga, Sunset Serenade—a sound bath immersed in nature—and Body Prayers, where participants danced and moved freely in the outdoors.
Through strong partnerships and community engagement, Mississippi Park Connection continues to break down barriers by providing gear, transportation, and educational opportunities. A key focus of our work is empowering community members to lead and share their knowledge of the outdoors, further expanding narratives around our relationships with water and land.
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
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, 2023 to September 30, 2024 –
*Some funds that were raised in 2024 will be used for 2025 program expenses.
Board Members
Courtney Anderson
Senior Audit Associate, Baker Tilly
Mangala Acharya
Product Owner - Order Management, Georgia PacificBarry Clegg
Attorney, Lathrop GPMPeter Ebnet
Senior Strategic Policy Advisor, Office of Mayor Frey, City of Minneapolis
Andy Rodriguez
Director, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, Office of Mayor Carter, City of Saint PaulRebecca Haddad
Director of Development, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Cathy Jordan
Principal Scientist, Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain, University of Minnesota
Lisa Kietel
National Park Service volunteer
Isadora Korak
Corporate Responsibility Manager, Winnebago IndustriesKristin Rasmussen, Board Secretary
Panacetacea
Ramesh Sairam, MD, Board Chair
Geriatric Psychiatrist, St. PaulAnna Sullivan
Director, Office of the CIO, Securian FinancialAmanda Wigen
Wigen Consulting LLC; Friends of the Falls
Mississippi Park Connection Staff
Devin Brown, Community Program Director
Sarah Burke, Operations and Support Specialist
Deacon Deboer, Stewardship Program Specialist
Lisa Ferguson, Bookkeeping Services
Tamara Few, Program Coordinator
Lily Jones, Marketing & Events Associate
David Kappelhoff, Engagement Specialist
Marielle Mateo, Forestry Program Coordinator
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: Veronica Jaralambide, Deja Joelle, Priscilla Momah, and Jessica Richardson
AmeriCorps Service Members
Delaney Farewell, Community Forestry Member
Maricio Madrigal, Community Volunteer Ambassador
Tano Yonekawa, Community Forestry AmeriCorps member
Mississippi River Educators
Jean Buckley
Sue Dahl
Cathy Eiss
Mark Lex
Lora Pedersen
Jessica Richardson
Sheila Sullivan
Mississippi River Fellows
Riya
TJ
Mississippi River Crew (Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa)
Sam N.
Sydney S.
Ella J.
Forrest M.
Thank you, Contributors
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*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.
