Mississippi River Watershed Partnership
States
People
square miles
major tributaries
Save the Date
River Connections: A Science and Strategy Workshop for the Mississippi River Watershed
May 19-21, 2026
Tulane Lavin-Bernick Center, Tulane University
New Orleans, Louisiana
Jointly hosted by Tulane University and the Mississippi River Watershed Partnership
Registration is Free and includes complimentary parking, breakfast, and lunch
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Researchers, practitioners and decision-makers from across the Mississippi River watershed will gather to share the latest science on river dynamics and restoration. Through interdisciplinary presentations and discussion, this workshop will spark opportunities for collaboration and on-the-ground action across the full watershed.
The program will focus on five key issue areas for the watershed:
1. Conserve fish and wildlife
2. Mitigate floods and droughts
3. Sustain inland navigation
4. Enhance recreation
5. Improve water quality
Day 1: Research and Collaboration
Participants from across the Mississippi River watershed will share the latest research from the basin. Through interdisciplinary presentations and discussion, this day will spark opportunities for collaboration and on-the-ground action across the full watershed.
Day 2: Applied Knowledge and Critical Questions
Participants will collaborate to identify applied knowledge needs and consider critical questions facing the watershed. Participants will explore how scientific work can inform decision-making and on-the-ground action to improve outcomes across five key issues for the watershed.
Day 3: Roadmap Goals and Actions
Participants will advance the work of the Mississippi River Watershed Partnership to roadmap goals and actions across the five key issue areas, including the basin-wide science agenda, and assess opportunities to strengthen collaboration across the watershed.
About The Partnership
The goal of the MRWP is to build a diverse and robust coalition toward whole watershed solutions. Building on existing initiatives, this coalition will act with a unified voice to generate broad support and dedicated funding to catalyze action and improve the health of the Mississippi River watershed.
Why This Matters Now
The Mississippi River watershed is a lifeline for millions of Americans and unhealthy conditions have far reaching implications. Every action in the watershed creates real consequences for communities, economies and livelihoods.
Pollutants threaten drinking water for 20 million people. Floods and droughts are happening more frequently. Deteriorating infrastructure compromises safe navigation. The cost of these consequences are mounting every day. Without a shared effort to improve conditions at scale, these challenges become insurmountable.
The Mississippi River Watershed Partnership (MRWP) was created to realize this shared effort. We know that rivers are linear systems and changes made in one part of the watershed affect the rest of the system. This is why a collaborative, whole watershed approach is needed.
Our Partners
Focus Areas
The MRWP focuses on five key areas: Fish and Wildlife, Floods and Droughts, Navigation, Recreation, and Water Quality. We know these issues are deeply connected—what affects one often impacts the others. That’s why, in addition to the five focus areas, we also highlight cross-cutting goals and actions that link them together and strengthen the health of the whole watershed.
Fish and Wildlife
The Mississippi River watershed provides habitat for hundreds of species of fish, birds, and other wildlife. Protecting and restoring these ecosystems ensures biodiversity, healthy food webs, and thriving communities that depend on them.
Flood and Drought
Communities along the river face increasing risks from both floods and droughts. By working together, we can reduce vulnerabilities, improve resilience, and protect people, infrastructure, and ecosystems.
Navigation
The Mississippi River is a vital inland navigation system, moving agricultural products, energy resources, and goods that support communities across the nation. Strengthening this system ensures reliable transportation, economic growth, and global competitiveness.
Recreation
From fishing and paddling to hiking and birdwatching, the Mississippi River and its tributaries provide countless opportunities to connect with nature. Expanding safe and equitable access helps more people enjoy and care for the river.
Water Quality
Clean water is essential for people, wildlife, and economies throughout the watershed. Reducing pollution and improving water quality safeguards drinking water, recreation, and ecological health for future generations.
Cross-Cutting
Some goals and actions support more than one focus area, such as improving data, fostering collaboration, or building community capacity. These cross-cutting efforts strengthen connections across the watershed and help ensure that progress in one area benefits many others.
The Road Ahead
