This award celebrates the accomplishments of a Minnesota educator who has participated in the park’s education programs and has created innovative curricula that empowers students to become avid learners and build a lifelong relationship with the Mississippi River.

Grade: 3-6

The Big River Art Contest is a way for 3rd - 6th grade students to share their experiences with the Mississippi River by creating a piece of art. Past winners have used poems, piecework, pastels, collages, sketches, pointillism, and more. Art must be submitted by early June.

River Educators are licensed teachers who put their love for the outdoors into delivering professional K-12 education programs at various locations along the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. River Educators work side-by-side with National Park Service rangers in meeting the increasing education program requests from schools each year.

Grade: 7-8

The environment we all share is so important. Learn more about the floodplain forest biome and the species that live there. Explore a Plant for the Future project tree site. Investigate ways community science is helping scientists help the forest and how communities can contribute.

Season: Summer | Grade: Elementary, Middle, and High School

The Mississippi River Canoemobile program is a youth education and recreation program on the Mississippi River— complete with guided day trips, overnight camping, and environmental education programs for youth in elementary, middle, and high school. We are proud to support this program in partnership with the National Park Service, Wilderness Inquiry, and many others.