One Mississippi, alongside participants including state legislators and presenters from up and down the Mississippi River, gathered in Jackson and Vicksburg, MS, to explore critical state-level strategies for river health, community resilience, and sustainable agriculture along the Mississippi River corridor with the Mississippi River Legislative Caucus (MRLC), convened by the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators. The MRLC serves as a vital bridge, connecting state lawmakers with River mayors, members of Congress, advocacy organizations, and local business leaders. This year’s gathering brought the caucus to a new stretch of the River, where the Mississippi State Legislature rolled out a warm welcome.
Regenerative Agriculture & Soil Health
The gathering kicked off with a farm tour at Foot Print Farms focused on regenerative practices, soil restoration, food access, and risk management. Speaker highlights included panel discussions and open Q&A on supporting local producers and urban agriculture. A resounding theme throughout the discussion was the inescapable link between land stewardship, soil health, and water quality: caring for the land through regenerative practices directly strengthens our water systems and downstream communities.
Economic Resilience & Flood Mitigation
Sessions highlighted the connection between healthy river ecosystems, recreation, infrastructure, and strong local economies. Experts also covered federal policy shifts, soil health, and natural flood mitigation strategies to protect agricultural communities, including the important use of nature-based solutions.
State Action & Cross-State Collaboration
The final sessions examined post-Sackett clean water protections and legislative opportunities for states along the corridor, concluding with a collaborative dialogue on shared goals for Mississippi River stewardship. Haley Gentry with the Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy and Charles Sutcliffe with the National Wildlife Federation presented alongside others.
“It was wonderful to be in community with folks, especially as state legislators shared difficulties and opportunities surrounding how different states and communities can leverage the Mississippi River for economic development while supporting River access, community health, and resilience.
The legislators shared valuable wisdom, asked insightful questions, and thoughtfully engaged with these complex challenges with a genuine desire to improve both the Mississippi River and their local communities.”
- Marie Risalvato, One Mississippi, Policy Manager
Vicksburg Excursion
A field trip to Vicksburg featured an immersive canoe experience exploring River ecology, wetlands, and the water cycle, paired with a walking tour of the local Riverfront. Beloved and well-known John Ruskey of Quapaw Canoe Company (a Mississippi River Network member) took folks out.
At One Mississippi, we are so grateful for the opportunity to join 20-plus state legislators from across the Mississippi River mainstem states. We look forward to continued collaboration and impact for the River’s people, land, water, and wildlife. If you are interested in learning more about the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, you can go here: https://www.ncelenviro.org/
Marie Risalvato
Policy Manager, One Mississippi