One of the brightest birds found in the park’s corridor is the prothonotary warbler. To truly understand “gold” as a color is to see the prothonotary warbler as it flits through the understory of floodplain forest on sky blue wings.

Hibernating bat colonies on the east coast have decreased 80-97% as a result of white-nose syndrome (WNS) and researchers are predicting similar population declines in the Midwest region as WNS spreads.

We were surprised to discover a Minnesota Endangered Species calling from an industrial backwater in 2014! Learn how the National Park Service partnered with the Minnesota DNR and Macalester College to study this species near the Mississippi River.

Learn how the career paths of this year’s National Park Service seasonal rangers led them to the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Watch videos on how to apply for a federal job and how to become a National Park Service park ranger!

The Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA) June Cohort is designed to engage Black, Indigenous and Youth of Color in the National Park Service. This position will help increase diversity of the CVA program and the National Park Service by ensuring sites, supervisors, and mentors are prepared and supported in cultivating inclusive environments for the CVAs.

With the long-term goal of creating a park staff that is more representative of the communities it serves, the Mississippi River Fellowship provides an opportunity for diverse and underrepresented young adults ages 18-25 to explore a career path in the environmental field.

We invite you to learn more about Juneteenth, celebrate at one of many community events around the city or online, and learn how to make the outdoors more equitable and inclusive on the Mississippi River every day.