Become a River Citizen

River Citizens are people who want to protect America’s greatest River.  Whether in armchairs or wading boots, River Citizens protect the River by speaking up on its behalf and caring for it in simple ways that make a big difference.  Please sign up today to become a River Citizen.

Show the River it can Count on You

1. Become a River Citizen
   If you love the Mississippi River, don’t keep it to yourself. Tell your friends, neighbors and elected officials that protecting the Mississippi River is important to you. Then take action to protect its waters. Join the growing community of River Citizens here.  
2. Volunteer on the River
   Nearly every community along the Mississippi River holds river clean-ups, tree plantings or restoration workdays. Give back to the River and your local community by joining like-minded volunteers who are working to improve and protect the Mississippi River. Find local volunteer opportunities with a member of the Mississippi River Network.
3. Get to Know Your River
   Have you ever been to your local riverside park? Pack a picnic and head out to explore America's Greatest River. Sign up for a canoe trip, visit a nature center or attend a riverside festival. The more we know about the river the better we can help protect it.
4. Reduce or Eliminate Yard Chemicals
   Lawn and garden fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides hurt the River. Especially when over-applied, these chemicals are carried in run-off from rain and sprinklers through local storm drains directly into the Mississippi River, polluting its waters.
5. Landscape with Native Plants and Trees
   The Mississippi River region is home to an extraordinary number of beautiful native flowers, trees and shrubs. Choosing native plants for your yard and garden can save money and hassle because these plants are accustomed to local soil types, weather patterns, pests and diseases. In addition, native plants attract native birds and butterflies to your yard.
6. Respect Storm Sewers
   Pet waste, garden chemicals and litter can all be carried into our storm sewers by rain and snowmelt. Heavy rains flush wastes and untreated water through storm drains directly into the River. You can help reduce this pollution by picking up trash before it gets into the storm drains.
7. Support Wise Use of Agricultural Fertilizers
   Fertilizer runoff from fields is a leading source of Mississippi River pollution. By supporting state and federal policies that promote wise use of fertilizers, we can make a big difference for the River.
8. Support Wise Land Use
   As topsoil erodes from fields, it fills in backwater lakes used by native fish and birds--often bringing chemicals and wastes with it. Both famers and city dwellers can reduce topsoil erosion and its impact on the Mississippi's banks and waters.
9. Support River Access
   Parks, gardens and recreational trails beautify our communities, attract visitors and provide places for walking, running and biking. Green spaces along the River provide homes for wildlife, clean our air and help maintain our clean water resources.
10. Act Locally
    Is your city putting off improving its sewer system?  Is a new development filling in existing wetlands?  Speak up! Demand new sewer systems, responsible development and strict water pollution standards--you, your family and your community deserve safe water and a clean environment.

Are you ready to become a River Citizen?

Today, the once mighty Mississippi River is in trouble. Pollution from untreated sewage, farms and factories along with weak enforcement of water laws has caused our once Great River to decline, and as a part of our communities the poor health of the Mississippi River impacts us all.

But we can help by making simple changes in our lives and standing up for the River. And this is easy to do by becoming a River Citizen today.

River Citizens – People the River Can Count On!

River Citizens are people who are commited to protecting America’s greatest River and take small actions that can make a big difference.

As a River Citizen you will share an opportunity and responsibility to shape the future of the mighty Mississippi.  The River needs us – to learn about its many mysteries and what keeps it healthy, to speak on its behalf in its communities, and to care for it every day in simple ways that make a big difference.

River Citizens do their part in protecting the River by taking the actions (at least one!) listed in the River Action Items. Many of these actions can be easy lifestyle changes and many people are already doing them. If you have already made some of these changes, then stand up and be counted. We count our River Citizens and the actions they take so we can measure the impact of everyone’s commitment to the River.

Are you ready to become a River Citizen?