Dear River Citizens and Supporters,

2025 was a remarkable year for One Mississippi. Together, we met challenges head-on and turned opportunities into lasting progress for the River we all love. Your actions—large and small—helped protect the people, land, water, and wildlife of the Mighty Mississippi.

Here are just a few highlights from our many shared accomplishments. We’re deeply grateful for the countless ways you’ve shown up for the River. From armchairs to wading boots, you are the driving force behind One Mississippi’s success!

As we look ahead, we’re inspired by what we’ve achieved together—and even more excited about what’s to come.

With heartfelt thanks,

The One Mississippi Team: Kelly McGinnis, Michael Anderson, Marie Risalvato, Olivia Dorothy, and Gretchen Hagle

Select 2025 Accomplishments

A New Era for One Mississippi

‍In 2025, One Mississippi celebrated a milestone: 20 years of uniting people, organizations, and communities for the health of our Mighty River. We began this monumental year by unveiling One Mississippi’s refreshed brand and new website—a symbol of how far we’ve come and where we’re headed next. The rebrand reinforces our collaborative mission, providing more support for our growing community of 20,000+ River Citizens and 75+ member organizations.

We Made History by Launching the First-Ever National Mississippi River Day! 

We launched the inaugural National Mississippi River Day on June 2, and what a “watershed” day this was! With 15 proclamations and resolutions issued by four states, 10 cities, and one county, communities across the River corridor came together to recognize the Mississippi’s vital role in our nation’s well-being. This new annual day of recognition set a powerful tone for the future—proving that people are ready to rally around the River like never before.

River Day of Action 2025 Was Our Most Impactful Ever! 

National Mississippi River was also the kickoff for our fifth annual River Days of Action, and it was our most impactful program. From June 1–15, 78 organizations, community groups, and government partners hosted a record-setting array of cleanups, habitat restorations, community celebrations, and educational events. Over 2,000 people participated, from the Headwaters to the Gulf.

Uniting for the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program

‍With funding for one of the River’s most successful restoration initiatives under threat, we led one of our most impactful advocacy actions ever. 1,060 River Citizens sent nearly 4,000 emails to Congress in just five days in support of the US Army Corps of Engineers’ (Corps’) Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) Program. This grassroots surge sent a powerful message: protecting and restoring the Mississippi River is a national priority. Our collective voice helped secure $52 million in the President’s Budget Request for UMRR. Our recently published article explains the importance of UMRR and sheds light on One Mississippi’s work with the Corps.   

Amplifying River Voices with the Mississippi River Network (MRN)  

With over 75 member organizations, the Mississippi River Network shares information and collaborates on the most critical issues facing the River. This year, we’ve been part of hundreds of meetings with members, including our formal committee and “hive” meetings. We’ve signed onto dozens of comment letters and actions, showing our support for initiatives that protect the River. We’ve supported and amplified the work of our members, and they have uplifted the Mississippi River. 

For example, our Executive Director, Kelly McGinnis, delivered the keynote address at the Green Lands Blue Waters (Network Member) conference in April. In her talk, Thinking Like a Watershed, Kelly shared lessons from nature on collaboration, reciprocity, and systems thinking. Kelly also presented at the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators conference in the Fall.  Our member, American Rivers, named the Mississippi River #1 on America’s Most Endangered River® list for 2025, and One Mississippi shared critical updates and action alerts with our community.  

‍Defending Wetlands and Clean Water

‍Healthy wetlands are essential for the well-being of people, land, water, and wildlife. In April, One Mississippi submitted formal comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging strong safeguards for wetlands and streams across the Mississippi River Basin. Additionally, Olivia Dorothy, who directs our work with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, delivered oral testimony at an EPA–Army listening session, reinforcing the importance of protecting wetlands for flood prevention, clean water, and wildlife habitat.  

Building Awareness: Advocating for Critical Funding on the Lower Mississippi River

‍One Mississippi mobilized River Citizens to take action through an Action Alert, urging Congress to restore funding for essential Mississippi River programs. These included the Lower Mississippi River Comprehensive Management Study—a major initiative to modernize flood, navigation, and ecosystem management—as well as key U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Geological Survey programs that safeguard habitat and monitor river health. Our collective advocacy pushed back against proposed cuts that would dramatically reduce support for efforts to address flooding, drought, and habitat loss. Although the funding was not restored, our efforts helped spotlight this important work   

‍Speaking for the River During the Low Water Inspection Tour

‍In August, One Mississippi coordinated Network member participation in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Low Water Inspection Tour aboard the Motor Vessel Mississippi. At five stops—from St. Louis, MO, to Morgan City, LA—our partners delivered testimony to the Mississippi River Commission, ensuring that environmental priorities and community perspectives were heard. This unified presence emphasized that the health of the River’s ecosystem is inseparable from the health of our communities, and that environmental stewardship must remain central to decision-making along the Mississippi.

‍The Great River Flyway, Birds, the River, and You

‍In celebration of World Migratory Bird Day in October, we hosted “The Great River Flyway: Birds, the River, and You,” an engaging online panel with renowned birders and authors Dudley Edmonson and Dexter Patterson. Both are champions of connecting Black, Indigenous, and people of color (and allies) with wildlife and the outdoors, and the event illuminated environmental justice opportunities and threats. With 190 people registered, this was one of our most successful engagement events of the year—bringing recognition to the importance of the Mississippi River Flyway, a vital corridor for 60% of North American Birds. 

Supporting the Corps’ Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP)  

One Mississippi participated in the NESP Reach Planning Process and crafted technical comments signed onto by 17 organizations. Additionally, we submitted roughly 60 independent project concepts to restore floodplains, reduce flood risk for urban communities, and expand the floodplain forest, as part of the NESP Reach Planning workshops. 

One Mississippi also partnered with National Audubon Society and local partners for a series of NESP public engagement workshops in La Crosse, WI (Upper Impounded Reach - St. Paul, MN to Clinton, IA), in the Quad Cities area (Lower Impounded Reach - Clinton, IA to Alton, IL), and in the St. Louis area (Unimpounded Open River Reach - Alton, IL to Cairo, IL). Approximately 115 participants registered for the events and/or signed up to engage in the process, and about 100 attended a workshop in person. Their participation will help shape our communities, ecosystems, and future. 

‍We’re Co-Hosting a Webinar to Shed Light on Agriculture’s Impact on the River 

On December 11, One Mississippi will partner with the League of Women Voters Upper Mississippi River Region to host From Fields to the Gulf: How Agriculture Shapes the Mississippi River, a virtual lunchtime conversation with author and research engineer Chris Jones, PhD.. Jones, known for his book The Swine Republic, will share his powerful insights about how modern agricultural practices affect water quality across the Basin—and what it will take to build a more sustainable future. 

‍Mississippi River Network Annual Meeting

‍Our 2025 Annual Network Meeting will be held virtually in January 2026. We look forward to uniting our coalition to reflect on our 2025 work and fine-tune our plans for the new year, including our policy and engagement priorities for 2026. The gathering will build on our Network strengths—relationships, trust, and shared purpose.

Thanks for Making 2025 a Success

‍Every achievement this year—from local cleanups to federal policy wins—was made possible because of you: River Citizens, Network members, and partners who care deeply about the River’s future. As we celebrate 20 years of impact and prepare for the years ahead, we’re filled with gratitude and excitement. Together - as One Mississippi - we are writing the next chapter in the story of the Mighty Mississippi.