World Wetlands Day
Wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests -- and are Earth’s most threatened ecosystem. Join us on Sat Feb 3rd, 1-5pm for exploring a vibrant Mississippi River wetlands!
Lower Mississippi River Dispatch No. 929 "Voice of the Lower Mississippi River" Memphis, TN ~ Wilson, AR ~ Clarksdale, MS ~ Vicksburg, MS Quapaw Canoe Company ~ Celebrating 25 years of service
World Wetlands Day
Wetlands are ecosystems where water is the primary factor controlling the environment and the associated plant and animal life. A broad definition of wetlands includes both freshwater and marine and coastal ecosystems such as all lakes and rivers, underground aquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal flats, mangroves and other coastal areas, coral reefs, and all human-made sites such as fishponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and saltpans. These lands are critical to people and nature, given the intrinsic value of these ecosystems, and their benefits and services, including their environmental, climate, ecological, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic contributions to sustainable development and human wellbeing. Though they cover only around 6 per cent of the Earth’s land surface, 40 per cent of all plant and animal species live or breed in wetlands. Wetland biodiversity matters for our health, our food supply, for tourism and for jobs. Wetlands are vital for humans, for other ecosystems and for our climate, providing essential ecosystem services such as water regulation, including flood control and water purification. More than a billion people across the world depend on wetlands for their livelihoods (including all of us river guides at Quapaw Canoe Company!) that’s about one in eight people on Earth.
Wetlands are among the ecosystems with the highest rates of decline, loss and degradation. Indicators of current negative trends in global biodiversity and ecosystem functions are projected to continue in response to direct and indirect drivers such as rapid human population growth, unsustainable production and consumption and associated technological development, as well as the adverse impacts of climate change. Wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests and are Earth’s most threatened ecosystem. In just 50 years — since 1970 — 35% of the world’s wetlands have been lost. Human activities that lead to loss of wetlands include drainage and infilling for agriculture and construction, pollution, overfishing and overexploitation of resources, invasive species and climate change. This vicious cycle of wetland loss, threatened livelihoods, and deepening poverty is the result of mistakenly seeing wetlands as wastelands rather than lifegiving sources of jobs, incomes, and essential ecosystem services. A key challenge is to change mindsets to encourage governments and communities to value and prioritize wetlands.
Sat, Feb 3rd: Explore a Seasonally Flooded Bottomland Hardwood Forest
Join us on Saturday Feb 3rd, 1-5pm for exploring a unique wetlands ecosystem -- the seasonally flooded bottomland hardwood forests of the Lower Miss --found deep in the vast alluvial floodplain of the biggest river in North America, the Mighty Mississippi! Details: Quapaw Landing roundtrip to Island 63, Sat Feb 3rd from 1-5pm. Ideal wetlands conditions: cloudy, windy and possible rain, with a high near 63. SE wind 20 to 25 mph. Island 62/63 Archipelago encompasses giant beaches, blue holes, bottomland hardwood forests, 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. Meet at 12noon 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 rain 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 4 and 5pm.
Meet Place:
Meet: 12noon
Quapaw Canoe Company
downtown Clarksdale, MS
~OR~
Meet: 1pm Quapaw Landing
Schedule Sat Sept 9th 12noon-5pm: Meet: 12noon Quapaw Canoe Company 291 Sunflower Avenue Clarksdale, MS 38614 Follow us to river Start: 1pm Quapaw Landing Paddle back channel of Island 63, cross main channel, and explore the vast sandbars of Island 62! End: 5-6pm Quapaw Landing Pack in Daypack or Drybag: Each person should pack: -waterbottles -snacks -rain protection -shoes that can get muddy and wet (or go barefoot) Optional: -cell phone -camera -bird book -binoculars -swim gear -towel Note: Pack any electronics in dry bag, dry box, or zip lock bags Wear: Dress for weather. Ideal wetlands conditions: cloudy, windy and possible rain, with a high near 63. SE wind 20 to 25 mph. Wear shoes that can get muddy and wet (or go barefoot). Cost: Free for youth under 18. 1/4 price for educators ($25). 1/2 price for adults ($50). Reservations required! Call me 662-902-7841, or Mark River 662-902-6479, if you’d prefer to talk! Sincerely yours in service of the big river, -John John Ruskey Quapaw Canoe Company 291 Sunflower Avenue Clarksdale, MS 38614 662-902-7841 john@island63.com
Quapaw Canoe Company
2024 Calendar
Saturday Feb 3
Wetlands Exploration: Bottomland Hardwood Forest
Saturday Mar 9
Community Canoe
Thurs Mar 21
Spring Break Camp w/ Mississippi River State Park
Roundtrip Daytrip 9am-3pm from Helena Harbor
Thurs Mar 28
Spring Break Camp w/ Mississippi River State Park
Roundtrip Daytrip 9am-3pm from Helena Harbor
April 6 – 9
Total Solar Eclipse Complete Immersion Expedition
Grand Tower, Tower Rock, Trail of Tears State Park
Mon April 8
Mississippi River 95% Solar Eclipse Experience
Helena, AR
Mon April 8
Mississippi River 98% Solar Eclipse Experience
Wilson, AR
Sat April 20
Community Canoe
Sat May 25
Memorial Day Weekend w/ Mississippi River State Park
Roundtrip Daytrip 9am-3pm from Helena Harbor
June 3 – 6
Mississippi River Girlz Canoe Camp
June 10 – 13
Mississippi River Boyz Canoe Camp
July 14 – September 29
Wilson Fellows: Group Exhibition at Dixon Gallery & Gardens
in Mallory and Wurtzburger Galleries
with Danny Broadway, Thad Clark and Claire Hardy
Shreveport Homecoming Expedition
Down the Mississippi, Up the Red River
October 4 – November 2, 2024