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on -milled, chlorine-free recycled and NEWS Photo by Leon Kosek River corridor. corridor. River Mississippi of the land and waters the of values significant the enhance and protect, preserve, to Minnesota in created was park a national 1988, In RIVER NEWS MISSISSIPPI Saint Paul, MN 55101 MN Paul, Saint 111 Suite 105 Blvd E, Kellogg

MISSISSIPPI RIVER NEWS Newsletter of the Mississippi Park Connection & Fall 2015–

Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Winter 2016 FEATURED PROGRAM FEATURED PROGRAM By Jodi Petrich, Centennial Coordinator Centennial Petrich, By Jodi Coming Attraction: National Debuts Parks IMAX Coordinator Communications Park Connection Mississippi Havelin, By Kate 4Play = 4 Fun Seasons on March 4, 2016. on March McKnight-3M L. of Minnesota’s Omnitheater William Museum Science at the its run begin will and Centennial the with coincide will release global film’sthe scheduled Inc., Presented by Expedia, PARKS ADVENTURE.” of “NATIONAL release the giant-screen with and IMAX® to landscapes these of magnificence the bringing of Museum Minnesota, is Science the includes U.S. that of science museums seven (GDTC), alliance an Giant Dome the USA TheaterConsortium and Brand with partnership in Freeman Films MacGillivray spaces. pristine of America’s wild, preservation a major the in milestone 2016,in marking 100 turns Service The National Park Photo by Leon Kosek what a quinzhee is? You’ll find all about all is? You’ll find what a quinzhee you don’t So building. know quinzhee and skiing country cross ice fishing, to ice snowshoeing from and skating 2016,with cool9, adventures off January kicks 4Play inaugural The Connection. Greater Park Mississippi MSP and by organized effort is a new 4Play style. Minnesota how to season, savor each learn help newcomers will 4Play purpose. with come together to play will Minnesotans longtime newcomers and season, each one January, Saturday this Starting outdoors. await weather, adventures the whatever season, the Whatever parks, including the one in our backyard. one our the in including parks, 2016. date 24, to the Save celebrate national our February event on fundraising a Centennial during preview sneak to attend a opportunity the have Friends will of park the wonders. natural of inspiring a tapestry Arches—revealing Yellowstone, Redwoods, and the Everglades, the places—including beautiful and wild spectacularly visit modern-day explorers Pohl, these Rachel friend family and Lowe stepson Max his Conrad Anker, world-class mountaineer and ambassador parks national of perspective the Featuring untamed wilderness. and into nation’s the adventure outdoors great awe-inspiring ultimate off-trail the on takes audiences film the Redford, by Robert Academy Award®Narrated winner means 4 seasons of fun 4 all. 4 all. of fun 4 seasons means 4Play comeSo outside fun. join the and for outdoor ingredients play. perfect the We’ve ice, got snow, the cold: and they’re of day play. regional this during winter of celebrate we Minnesota best as the friends your grab up and bundle So REI. from staffers with along Resources, of Natural Department the and Park National Service the from experts—rangers outdoorwith adventure play where State you can Park, Snelling at snow Fort caves, are which quinzhees, MISSISSIPPI RIVER NEWS RIVER MISSISSIPPI 3. 2. No matter how you choose to give, your support matters! support your No how to matter you give, choose Connection. to Park Mississippi gift your direct then and volunteer. company out participates your if Find employees ortheir former employees donate or to support nonprofits when financial provide more. and grants matching special prizes, with event, aspecial donating Day makes Give Max to the donate but of year, day any the can park to the Day. you on Give course, Max topark Of the adifference: to make ways easy three here are park, our want if yousupport to And park. explore our so many are to There and snowshoeing. birding, paddling, biking, walking, fishing, peeping, Leaf Coordinator Development Waugh, By Park Connection Anna Mississippi Three Easy Ways to Help Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Recreation and River National Mississippi Superintendent, By John Anfinson, Centennial SUPPORT YOURSUPPORT PARK JOIN! people cities. in engage it to has its to goal, reach wants NPS the If areas. urban in live Americans since 1916. Today, of over 80% dramatically changed has America that knows advocates.” NPS The and stewards. visitors, of park generation next the create and with “To is goal Centennial The connect spotlight. the is in Area Recreation and River National Mississippi 25, 2016, on August the and celebrate its 100th birthday will Service The National Park Photo by Eric Haugen member eventsmember today parkconnection.org are at just afew Join of the perks. ofmember Mississippi Park Connection! Discounted registration and yourSupport national receive park and benefits a year round—become Join! offer matching gift programs that programs gift offer matching companies Many program. matching employer an donation your Boost with show loveNovember for your 12, the Give to the Max. On Thursday, On Max. to the

Photo by Melissa Buss in this issue.) this in winners Art Big River newest the out check park, on our perspectives river. toconnect the (To kids’ see donations of kids help thousands Your woodlands. and prairies Yourgifts? donations help restore what happens to So your park. for support our your showing are adonation,member or you make you become a When Connection. year to find your park. to your find year 2016 river. the Make the experience to ways to new find opportunity an as Centennial hope the people see outside. map, and the inside I NPS on park to put this opportunity an To represents Centennial the me, programming. our more to to us reach youth in looking are volunteer they our and numbers, to us double triple or even expect They park. for this expectations high have offices Region Midwest and WashingtonFor our reason, this 1. of Park Mississippi Become amember By Katie Nyberg, Executive Director, Mississippi Park Connection Director, Mississippi Executive Nyberg, By Katie New for Organization Name Our last several months with Studio Mpls, Studio months with several last the spenthave andboard staff Our park? national the and people river to the connecting mission of itour reflect Does name? identity.our right the have we Do about adiscussion in engaged been have staff the and months board the several past the Over Park Service. National the partner, most important with our effectively workedand very charity independent into an developed Manomin County Park photo Photo by Eric Haugen WELCOME courtesy Anoka County Parks FEATURED PARTNER SITE Road, Fridley. Road, River East is 6666 address Park’s County Manomin Minneapolis. to downstream miles or five of Anoka, into city the upstream, miles you nine take Trail will Regional Nearby, River Mississippi the community. arts local to place what’s of stop see is your agreat and minds on in the Locke Banfill- artists. work the of showcases and local encourages that center is house now acommunity and farm tavern former Arts. This Center the for home Banfill-Locke to Park the is also Manomin river. the along life animal book of charismatic log becomesavisual surface Its wintery island. snowy a primitive, more is coming. feels memo winter, winter like In that Manomin yellow, and of avisual orange stream into creek aspeckled the turn leaves river. The the falling overlooking gazebo period-style park’s the accentuates that canopy become acolorful trees the fall, In park. the to reach of Interstate north 694.miles From Road half River I-694, East take in is located park ago. The Fridley,about anda years one many creek the in (Ojibwe) grew reportedly Anishinabe which rice, word for wild is the County. Manomin Anoka in River Mississippi the and Rice confluenceCreek Park the encompasses of County Manomin By Brian Valentine, National Park Service Ranger Valentine, Park Service National By Brian Park County Manomin

Foundation, Foundation, Park National the of fund alocal as We began Fund. River Mississippi the as operated we have For ten years . Discover your river. your Discover promise. endless offers Great River the always changing, Ever flowing, acclaim. of global ariver and treasure mission for a that’sour anational park is connections more. Strengthening engagement and community arts, the science, recreation, education, opportunity—in sees Connection Mississippi Park experience, each in river. the And to with connect ways number of infinite presents an park national our over 72 miles, River. Stretching Mississippi the people and between connection the mission to strengthen our reflects better Connection Park Mississippi become Park Mississippi Connection. will Fund River Mississippi the fall, you. This with identity new our share do.happy we to much as Iam as of people talented who river love the made up firm design local a terrific FALL 2015–WINTER 2016

RIVER VOLUNTEER

Volunteer Voices Student Ambassadors Ultra Creative Volunteers By Quinn Feller and Kelly McCann, Centennial Volunteer Ambassadors Photos by Leon Kosek We are the newest additions By Tony Johnson, to the Mississippi National Ultra Creative River and Recreation Area and Mississippi Park Connection Ultra Creative is a Minneapolis- family and couldn’t be happier based creative studio with a to be a part of it! We are passion for creating hard-working both Centennial volunteer art. With bold imaginations and ambassadors with the Student strategic design, Ultra sets brands Conservation Association in motion by crafting projects (SCA). SCA hired us, along that grab attention and creative with 68 other people, to work content that gratifies. at national park sites all around When Mississippi Park Connection realized that Ranger on Call, the country to meet the goals of the free audio guide to exploring the Mississippi National River and the Centennial. Recreation Area, was suffering from lack of awareness due to the mass Our objective is to increase amount of signage along the metro area Mississippi corridor, they public awareness, community reached out to Ultra Creative for help. involvement, and volunteer Since the Ultra Creative offices are located right on the banks of participation at the park. Here the Mississippi, the nature lovers in our agency were thrilled with in the Twin Cities, you’ll see the opportunity to share our fondness for one of our state’s most us in the community tabling iconic treasures. Photo by Maria Lee at farmers’ markets, working with kids in new summer camp We created a completely new graphic identity for Ranger on Call that programs, and engaging the sets the program apart from the other signage along the river to better public at park events. We do everything from promoting park events on social engage onsite visitors. This new modern design and iconography takes media to designing an invasive species and freshwater mussel station for some 500 historical education from stodgy and ignorable to fun and engaging for summer campers. all generations. If you’d like to read more about the Centennial volunteer ambassador program, visit Since the new signage went up, use of the Ranger on Call service our blog at nps100sca.wordpress.com. has increased by nearly 300%.

To register your volunteer group, contact Mary Hammes, Environmental Stewardship and Volunteer Manager: 651-291-9119, [email protected]. To register as an individual volunteer, contact Kathy Swenson, National Park Ranger & Volunteer Coordinator: 651-293-8424, [email protected].

Mississippi River The green shaded area shows the boundaries of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Ramsey Dayton

Mississippi River

Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park Enjoy Coon Rapids Dam

Manomin County Park

North Mississippi Regional Park Saint Croix National Scenic See Fall Colors at a River Overlook Riverway

Stone Arch Bridge Saint Paul Mill Ruins Park Hidden Falls- Regional Park Mississippi River Minneapolis Visitor Center

Minnehaha Regional Park Pickerel State Park Lake Lilydale-Harriet Island Lions Levee Park Regional Park Icefish on Pickerel Lake

Mississippi River Explore Coldwater Spring Coldwater Explore Spring Lake Park Reserve Hastings

MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL RIVER & RECREATION AREA

Explore the river near you or join us for an upcoming program at one of our featured sites. Stop by the Mississippi River Visitor Center to chat with a national park ranger and pick up a copy of the Mississippi River Companion, featuring detailed maps and information. Junior Rangers Photo by Leon Kosek

“Explore, Learn, and Protect!” That is the National Park Service’s junior ranger promise made by youth around the country. Explore our storied American river and earn Become a Jr. Ranger! your junior ranger badge at the Mississippi River CALENDAR OF EVENTS Learn how at nps.gov/miss/forkids Visitor Center, , Coon Rapids Regional Color us! Dam Park, and the Great River Road Visitor Learning Center. Visit parkconnection.org/events for event details

Catch Bluegills on the Mississippi! These little 2016 2015–MAY OCTOBER and registration information. fish love to eat worms and corn. They are often Come to our visitor center on Saturday, April 23, 2016, for OCTOBER 7 found near the shore and by wing dams. Junior Ranger Day activities. Contact Ranger Caroline Mississippi Park Connection Member Pontoon Ride Stedman at 651-293-8464 for more information or visit us October 10 online at nps.gov/miss/forkids. Second Saturdays @ Coldwater Spring Second Sats are free family fun! OCTOBER 17 You can also download special junior ranger workbooks Bike with a Ranger—Fall Colors Tour @ to learn about fossils, the night sky, wilderness, and the Harriet Island OCTOBER 17 Underground Railroad. Visit nps.gov/kids to get your copy. Big Sit Birding @ Coldwater Spring How many birds can we see from one spot? OCTOBER 21 Mississippi Park Connection Member Pontoon Ride DECEMBER 12 Duck Watch @ Point Douglas DECEMBER 19 Winter Hike/Snowshoe @ Coldwater Spring DECEMBER 31 Candlelight Walk @ Fort Snelling JANUARY 9 Winter Trails Day/4Play @ Fort Snelling JANUARY 16 Take a Kid Ice Fishing JANUARY 23 Snowshoe RAVE—River Action Volunteer Event—@ Ordway FEBRUARY 11 Evening Hike/Snowshoe @ Coldwater Spring FEBRUARY 24 NPS IMAX sneak preview @ Science Museum FEBRUARY 27 Snowshoe RAVE—River Action Volunteer Event—@ Coldwater Spring MARCH 4 Become a Junior Ranger! NPS IMAX movie premiere @ Science Museum MARCH 24 Junior rangers are young people who promise to learn about, Volunteer Recruitment Fair APRIL 16-24 explore, and protect our national parks. Earn your junior ranger National Park Week badge at our Mississippi River Visitor Center. APRIL 21 Bike RAVE—River Action Volunteer Event APRIL 23 Learn how at nps.gov/miss/forkids Junior Ranger Day @ Mississippi River Visitor Center

Members receive free or discounted registration for most programs, JUNIOR RANGERS including invitations to members-only events. Join today at parkconnection.org/join All events are subject to change.

Big River Art Big River Art Grand Prize (below): Caring for the River Grand Samuel Canick, 4th grade, Capitol Hill Prize (below): Winners Magnet David Carlson, 4th grade, The Blake School Each year, nearly 6,000 school Journey to the Falls Grand Prize (right): kids head to the river for Big Juliet Ali-Caccamo, 6th grade, Friends School River Journey and Journey to Mighty Mississippi Grand Prize (bottom right): the Falls fields trips in Saint James Corley Sanders, 5th grade, Home Art Paul. And each year, hundreds Lessons of those students submit their artwork to our Big River Art Contest. The National Park Service welcomes entries from across the United States. Check out the four grand prize winners’ art here, and stop by the Mississippi River Visitor Center to see all sixteen winning artworks.

National Park Service Mississippi Park Connection Connect with us: Want this bi-annual Mississippi River 651-291-8164 newsletter mailed to you? Visitor Center [email protected] Contact [email protected] 651-293-0200 parkconnection.org nps.gov/miss or call 651-291-8164.

CONTACT Photos courtesy of the National Park Service and Mississippi Park Connection, unless otherwise noted. To be removed from the mailing list, please contact [email protected] or 651-291-8164.