DEADLINE: IJNR's Upper Mississippi River Institute

With a watershed that encompasses all or part of 31 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces, the Mississippi River could be said to reflect North America itself. The decisions we make about how we use our land governs both how our greatest river flows and what flows through it. And many of those decisions are made far upstream, before the Mississippi becomes the mighty, muddy American icon.

On June 16-23, 2018, IJNR will take a group of 15-20 journalists from across the country on a weeklong learning expedition down the Upper Mississippi to get a first-hand look at some of the issues that originate in and impact a watershed that drains nearly 40 percent of the contiguous U.S. We’ll travel from Minnesota’s Twin Cities to St. Louis’ famous Arch as we explore topics like nutrient runoff, invasive species, river restoration, flood control and environmental justice in downstream communities.

Journalists selected for this expenses-paid fellowship will get out on the river and along its banks to learn about the history, ecology, hydrology and economy of the Mississippi and how America shapes, and is shaped by, one of the world’s mightiest rivers.

More information.