Today, I am writing to let you know that Mississippi Park Connection and the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area have both been impacted by recent executive orders and funding freezes. We have waited to share this news as some of the information coming to us has been confusing and contradictory. The situation is changing minute by minute, and we feel the need to inform you of what we know as of today, Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
Read MoreWinter is a stunning time of year. The crisp air and snow-covered trees make for a beautiful scene. However, only the bold can survive here. Many animals hibernate, brumate, or migrate to warmer destinations. The friends who do stay here have adaptations to help them survive our long, dark cold winters.
Read MoreWe wrapped up our 2024 tree surveys this November just before the winter weather set in. We finished off strong at Spring Lake Park Reserve (SLPR) at the southern reaches of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MISS) corridor, surveying over 50 trees within the dense, thorny bushes of common prickly ash, buckthorn, and honey locust. It was a challenging, but successful end to our season, with the bonus of seeing the bison at SLPR.
Read MoreNature is for everyone.
For the past four years, Mississippi Park Connection has worked in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area to create events that center the experiences of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), people with disabilities, Veterans, and LGBTQIA+ through affinity events.
Read MoreIt is the end of 2024, and our Volunteer-is-Parks program for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area had another great year! Volunteers supported field trips, restored and enhanced the natural areas around the corridor, assisted with and led fun programming events, and so much more. This fiscal year (October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024) we had 1,494 volunteers contribute 17,503 service hours to the Volunteers-in-Parks Program.
Read MoreAfter ten weeks of the Mississippi River Fellows gaining experience working with the National Park Service, Mississippi Park Connection, and our partners, it is time to say goodbye to our amazing Fellows! They had a summer full of learning, growth, and river adventures, and we cannot wait to see where their paths take them after their time with us.
Read MoreForests are the lungs of our planet, providing oxygen, sequestering carbon, and supporting countless species. Yet, many of our forest ecosystems are under threat from invasive species, climate change, and human activity. The Mississippi River Crew, a partnership between Mississippi Park Connection (MPC) and Conservation Corps of Minnesota & Iowa (CCMI), is stepping up to meet these challenges head-on. Through their work in forest restoration, these young conservationists are not only healing the land but also fostering a deeper connection with nature and a brighter future for all.
Read MoreEvery summer the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area’s education team partners with the YMCA of the North to help offer outdoor educational and enrichment activities as part of two day camp programs. These programs are the Junior Ranger Day Camp as part of the Camp Streefland experience, and the Adventure in the Neighborhood Day Camp.
Read MoreSAINT PAUL, Minn. – The City of Saint Paul, along with the Great River Passage Conservancy, Mississippi Park Connection and the National Park Service, today announced they have selected architecture firm VJAA and landscape architects at TEN x TEN to lead a team to advance the new Mississippi River Learning Center. Their work on the next phase of this project includes completing design and construction documents, building on the schematic design and furthering the programming and engagement progress completed on the project to date.
Read MoreNestled between the neighborhoods of Beaver Lake Heights and Lincoln Park in east St. Paul is the vibrant school community of Nokomis Montessori-North Campus, where Katy Paquette has become a leader of innovative teaching and holistic environmental learning.
Read MoreThe Mississippi River Fellowship is a 10-week paid opportunity for diverse and underrepresented young adults ages 18-25 to explore the different branches of the National Park Service. Meet our 2024 fellows: Riya and TJ.
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