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| The Mississippi
River as Community |
Webster's Dictionary defines community in
several ways. The first definition - a
unified body of individuals - wouldn't fit
for the Mississippi River right now. But
it's amazing how the next three definitions
apply directly. Webster's definitions b.),
c.) and d.) -- people with common
interests…; an interacting population…; and
a group of people with a common
characteristic or interest living together
within a larger society - all describe the
Mississippi River community to a tee.
Perhaps if these three definitions can be
self-realized, the first one - a unified
body - can come into being as well.
America's Waterway is attempting to unify
the Mississippi River community using the
internet and social networking to overcome
geographic and cost barriers that have
limited its unification in the past. It's
our belief - and that of the National
Science Council - that unified approaches
are better able to address a whole-River
system than the disjointed approaches that
have predominated throughout its history.
We're going to see if that isn't possible in
this era of internet engagement and
mobilization.
We're looking for people up and down the
Mississippi River to join us in this effort
by sharing their visions of the Mississippi
River. In particular, we'd like to see what
you see as the common characteristics. How
are the events in your community
representative of the Mississippi River? How
are the community-development issues and the
water-quality-protection issues the same for
you as they would be for other River
communities? Do you have photos or videos?
How is your organization addressing the
development of whole-River approaches? How
do you see the character, condition and
possible future of the Mississippi River
impacting your life?
It's
time the Mississippi River community started
to come together. If we start to share ideas
today, maybe we can share solutions in the
future. We hope you'll join us and send your
photos and thoughts to America's Waterway at
alewis@americaswaterway.org. |
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| Featured Developments Map |
The Minneapolis
Riverfront District
National Great River
Park (St. Paul)
America’s River Port of
Dubuque |
Alton Riverfront and
Marina District (IL)
Mud Island River Park
(Memphis)
Riverwalk Marketplace
(New Orleans) |
If you don’t see your
community’s festival here, please click here to add it to our Google
Map. Also
please join our River Currents Newsletter to learn more
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View Mississippi River Community Developments in a larger map |
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For more information please email:
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