Your Mississippi River

We invite you to join us and make a difference for the Mississippi River you love. Whether you give, share, join, or do all three, we’re grateful that you are part of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area community!

As we retreat to quiet parkways or dream about adventures to come, we find much-needed solace, gratitude, and joy on the Mississippi River. Now more than ever, we see how the health of the environment and the National Park Week is a great time to support your national park.

Mississippi Park Connection is working with the National Park Service to support our community and the river today. 

• Each year, our park works with more than 300 teachers to introduce students to the Mississippi River. Now, youth education is moving online through a partnership with Hamline University. We need your support to connect with kids during Shelter-in-Place.  
• The environmental stewardship team is gearing up to receive more than 3,000 trees this spring that will be planted by staff into gravel bed tree nurseries and directly in the floodplain. They say that the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago and the second best time is today. Planting trees this spring will support the future river and build its resiliency for flooding and climate change
• Mississippi River Paddle Share is the first-of-its kind self-serve kayaking program in a National Park! We are gearing up for a new season and adding extra precautions to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health. Your gift to Mississippi Park Connection today will ensure a safe and enjoyable season for our community.