Island 62 Archipelago
Sat June 17th Community Canoe 2pm-7pm
Lower Mississippi River Dispatch No. 909 "Voice of the Lower Mississippi River" Memphis, TN ~ Helena, AR ~ Clarksdale, MS ~ Vicksburg, MS Photos & Text (c) 2023 John Ruskey
Saturday June 17th 2pm-7pm
Clean-Up and Species Count on ephemeral Island 62 Archipelago
*Note: Due to low water stages, Community Canoe has been moved to Island 62. Timing is the same. Meet 2pm Clarksdale. Or 3pm at Quapaw Landing. Done 7pm Quapaw Landing. Sat June 17th Clean-Up and Species Count location is the Island 62 Archipelago, which encompasses giant beaches, blue holes, other wetlands, willow forests, gravel bars — and is inhabited by fishes, insects, birds, turtles, and other wildlife. This round trip paddle affords an incredible variety of giant sandbars, wetlands, gravel/fossil bars, deep willow forests, and miles of beaches to clean up, count species, and wade and swim from for cool downs. On Sat June 17th Meet at 2pm at our base in downtown Clarksdale, Quapaw Canoe Company, 291 Sunflower Avenue. Follow us to river in your own vehicle. Round-trip paddle. Pack your own snacks and water. Dress for weather. Don’t forget sun protection. No previous experience necessary, all paddle together in our big canoes with guides. But must be willing to paddle — sometimes hard paddling necessary. Return to land between 6 and 7pm. Go here for making reservation: advance seating required.
Cost: Free for youth under 18. 1/4 price for educators ($25). 1/2 price for adults ($50). Reservations required! Please go to automatic online signup for making reservation. Special thanks to our long-term partner, the Mississippi River Network, for sponsoring this activity! Community Canoe is made possible by the Lower Mississippi River Foundation. Dedicated to fostering long-term stewardship of the big river through its youth. Meet Place: Meet: 2pm Quapaw Canoe Company downtown Clarksdale, MS ~OR~ Meet: 3pm Quapaw Landing
Schedule: Start: 3pm Quapaw Landing 4pm: Island 62 4-6pm: 2hr trash pickup & species count End: 7pm Quapaw Landing Pack in Daypack or Drybag: Each person should pack: -waterbottles (at least 2 per person) -snacks -sun protection -trashbags for picking up trash -gloves for picking up trash Quapaw Canoe Company provides: -big canoes, guides, paddles & life jackets (no previous experience necessary, but must be willing to paddle, and in so me places hard paddling!) -trash bags for pickup -5-gal jug of water to refill your personal water bottles Optional: -notebook (to notate species counted) -cell phone (to document species counted) -camera -bird book -binoculars Note: Pack any electronics in dry bag, dry box, or zip lock bags Water Bottle Refill: We’ll pack a 5-gal jug of water to refill your personal water bottles. Wear: Dress for weather. Wear shoes that can get muddy and wet, or go barefoot! Call John Ruskey 662-902-7841, or Mark River 662-902-6479, if you’d prefer to talk! Sincerely yours in service of the big river, John Ruskey Quapaw Canoe Company 291 Sunflower Avenue Clarksdale, MS 38614 662-902-7841 john@island63.com
1Mississippi River Days of Action This year, from June 8th to 18th, we are joining over 50 organizations hosting 30+ events from Minnesota to Louisiana and online, bringing together thousands of people for events and collective action. Together, with our neighbors in nearly all ten states the Mississippi flows through or borders, we are taking action to create a healthier River for people, land, water, and wildlife. Click HERE or cut & paste: 1mississippi.org/river-days-of-action/ Can the River count on you? Keep Reading for more about the 1Mississippi River Days of Action Dear Network Members and Partners: Welcome to the River Days of Action 2023 - what a journey it has been! This year, from June 8 - 18, we have over 50 organizations hosting 30+ events from Minnesota to Louisiana and online, bringing together thousands of people for events and collective action. We are humbled and excited. Can the River count on you? Please take the universal action now and check out the full calendar of events. Below, we have highlighted five online events that we think you will enjoy and would love to see you at. Please register and help promote. Thank you! -the MRN Staff Team Kelly, Gretchen, Maisah, and Michael
Three Lunch and Learn Webinars, all occurring at 12 - 1 pm CT via Zoom 1) Monday, June 12 - Reckoning with the Environmental Movement's History for a More Equitable Future "Conservation and environmental organizations have recently begun contending with the racial exclusion and injustice that defined their creation and much of their existence." In this special webinar rescreening from leading equity practitioners, The Avarna Group, we'll "explore the environmental history and how it fits into the larger context of social history in the U.S.," emphasizing the Mississippi River watershed. Register for the environmental movement's history and more equitable future webinar here. 2) Thursday, June 15 - Climate Science Needs on the Mississippi River Join Olivia Dorothy, River Restoration Director with American Rivers, to explore how climate change impacts communities -- and especially communities of color -- along the Mississippi River and how the Mississippi River is contributing to climate change. This presentation is adapted from a USGS forum and will highlight specific research needs and questions. You can register for the climate change webinar here. 3) Friday, June 16 - How the Farm Bill Helps Create a Healthier Mississippi River What does agriculture and the Farm Bill have to do with our Mississippi River? Whether you are a farmer or someone who cares about the relationships between food, farms, and the River, please join us to learn more about this critical piece of legislation and how it can be used to protect our River. The Mississippi River Network's Policy Director, Maisah Khan, will be joined by Liz Rupel from the Illinois Stewardship Alliance and Jesse Womack from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. Register for the Farm Bill webinar here.
Two Additional Online River Days of Action 2023 Events: 4) Wednesday, June 14 at 7 pm CT - Post Trip Review and Community Celebration with New Guinness World Record Holders, Mississippi Speed Record In May 2023, the four-person Mississippi Speed Record team set a new Guinness World Record for the fastest team time to paddle the length of the Mississippi River: 16 days, 20 hours, and 16 minutes! Join the team online for a community celebration and reflection on the record-setting trip. Register for the Mississippi Speed Record post-trip review event here. 5) Saturday, June 17, 9:30 - 11 am CT - Nature Connection and Community: A Mindful Experience (2023 Special River Days Closing Event!) Join certified nature & forest therapy guide Ilana Rubin from Kindred Nature for a mindful experience to de-stress and connect with nature from wherever you are. Come to unwind, relax, and connect through a mindful and bodyful practice called nature therapy or forest bathing. This practice can help reduce stress and support mental and emotional health and wellbeing! You can register for the guided mindful experience here. -- Michael Anderson Director of Outreach and Education - Mississippi River Network -- Help protect our greatest River! Become a River Citizen today! Follow us:
https://1mississippi.org
Absolutely love your watercolors, Johnny R.!!!!