Join us at Goose Island County Park, Shelter #3 and discover some wonderful ways you can connect to the Mississippi River. Learn about the ecology of the floodplain forest, the creatures that live in and around the river, and how you can become involved in preserving, protecting, and managing this thriving local ecosystem.
Our celebration coincides with ONE MISSISSIPPI’s RIVER DAYS OF ACTION! Experiencing and connecting with the Mississippi is the best way to become one with the River. We are hosting our event to help you experience the joy of making a real impact through hands-on activities alongside fellow River Citizens. Activities include a Guided Paddle, Kids Fishing, Disc Golf, Save Our Streams Citizen Science Demonstration, Mussels of the Mississippi Display, Outdoor Photography Contest, Floodplain Forest Interpretive Hike. All this and everything that Goose Island County Park has to offer in a one-day, family-friendly event.
Schedule of Events
We recommend everyone brings their own lunch, water and uses sunscreen for the day! Sunglasses or a hat too!
9:30 am - 1:30 pm Registration for all events at Shelter #3 - everyone will need to sign our waiver, and anyone renting a canoe must sign a rental agreement too. Paddlers MUST register at 9:30.
Ongoing Activities at Shelter #3 10 am - 2 pm - Kids Fishing! equipment provided by KAMO (Kids and Mentors Outdoors, Coulee Chapter) , Disc Golf hosted by Seven Rivers Disc Golf Club, Native Mussels of the Mississippi, led by Pam Thiel & Emy Monroe. Educational displays by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, US Geological Survey, US Army Corps of Engineers.
NOTE: kids under 16 do NOT need a WI or MN fishing license, but everyone else does! You can purchase one online from the Department of Natural Resources. (NOTE, if fishing between the railroad tracks, either a MN or WI license is legal.)
10:00 am Interpretive paddle through the backwaters (experienced canoers only, 9:30 registration required. There are only 5 canoes & 5 kayaks available for rental, or you may bring your own) led by John Sullivan. EVERYONE will be required to wear a lifejacket, no exceptions.
10:00 am Outdoor Photography contest Outdoor digital photography class and contest ongoing to 12:45 PM, prizes at 1:15! led by Steven Marking (must have your own phone or digital camera)
10:30 am Interpretive walk through the floodplain forest. (you may want to bring bug spray!) led by Bruce Henry, Forest Ecologist - Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge and Jeffrey Butler, Forest Ecologist - Audubon Upper Mississippi River
11:00 am Bio Blitz in iNaturalist led by Fritz Frunk (our Chapter President) Must bring your own smart phone.
Noon Bring your own lunch (or buy snacks at the campground store) RiverSongs and Stories by Steven Marking and Water Quality presentation by Shawn Giblin, Water Quality Specialist, Wisconsin DNR
1:00 pm Save Our Streams Community Science demonstration led by Amy Cordry, Will Dilg Chapter of the Izaak Walton League
1:00 pm Interpretive walk through the floodplain forest led by Andy Meier, Forester, Mississippi River Environmental Section, United States Army Corps of Engineers
2:00 pm Closing with a tree planting, putting faith in the future.