In Service of our Queen

653 photos featuring highlights from our last 5 years of activity in service of our Queen, the Lower Mississippi River... (audio begins around 1:26)

Featuring sandbars, mud bars, main channel, back channel, and 100s of species of birds, fishes, mammals, and amphibians.  With 3 original songs, 653 photos, and shout-outs to Mark River Peoples, River Otter, Mayfly, Liz Antieri (walking the Mississippi 2025), and Neal Moore (22 Rivers in 2022), and many others. All in service of our Queen.  Rambling narrative in between guitar strokes.  Kind of like sitting around the campfire sharing stories and songs.  Hope you enjoy!    

(BTW: this video starts with silent introduction, stay on one minute through a few technical issues, audio begins around 1:26)

Thanks to artist Christine Curry, we are sharing an out-take from last week's celebration held in conjunction with One Mississippi’s River Days of Action and World Ocean Day, this event highlights the vital connection between river health and ocean health.   In partnership with Marine Veterinary Medicine.  

MARVET is a marine medicine program offering introductory externship courses in aquatic animal clinical and conservation medicine for veterinary students, veterinarians and others in allied health and conservation fields who would like to become more acquainted with the expanding specialty of marine animal health and conservation medicine.

Which is it? Gulf Coast Barrier Islands? Or the Mississippi River Islands? Having a difficult time deciding? Remarkable similarities.

Description: slide show stream of consciousness music-talk-narration by John Ruskey — renowned canoe builder, river guide, artist, and environmentalist — as he takes us deep into the ecosystem of the Lower Mississippi River and Gulf Coast Barrier Islands.

~~~ Tomorrow: Friday, June 20th, Celebrate Summer Solstice by getting outside and doing something in behalf of Mother Nature! ~~~

Featuring the best of our experiences & adventures since pandemic!  A kaleidoscope montage into the wild pulsing heart of the biggest river in North America, with the largest and maybe most vibrant biota.

As the founder of Quapaw Canoe Company and author of Wild Miles and Rivergator, John has spent decades exploring, protecting, and sharing the stories of one of America’s greatest rivers. From leading youth expeditions to building traditional voyageur canoes, his life’s work is a journey of art, adventure, and stewardship. 🛶

Every 8 June, the world marks World Ocean Day—a global observance that highlights the vital role oceans play in supporting life, livelihoods, and planetary health. First proposed at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and formally recognised by the United Nations in 2008, the day serves as a clarion call for collective action to safeguard our oceans and stabilise the climate.

The 2025 theme, “Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us”, is a powerful reminder: the ocean not only sustains us materially—through food, energy, and trade—but also inspires, connects, and nurtures us. This year’s message is aimed squarely at policymakers: do not lose sight of the ocean’s inherent wonder when making decisions that will shape its future.

Above: watercolor scenes from Mississippi Gulf Coast Barrier Islands National Seashore

Lower Mississippi River Dispatch No. 985
"Voice of the Lower Mississippi River"
Quapaw Canoe Company ~ Celebrating 27 Years of Service
Custom Guiding & Outfitting on the Lower Mississippi River
Winner of the SBA 2024 Small Business of the Year Award