What happens when 2 guys make the trip of a lifetime down the entire Mississippi River?
From the headwaters at Lake Itasca in Clearwater County Minnesota all the way along the 2,320 mile long Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. In 2009, last summer, 2 men did just that, filming their adventures along the way.
The River is Life is the documentary that was produced by 11 Visions and is now being shown in select venues. We will have the opportunity to see this film on Wednesday August 18, 2010 at 8:00pm in Wilson Park St Cloud MN.
This has not been publicized yet but, I have it on very good authority from a contact at the Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), that it soon will be.
The community movie on Wednesday, August 18 starting at 8:00 p.m features the independent film River is Life - a modern day Huck Finn odyssey the story of Phillip Hullquist and Ryan Jeanes who kayaked down the Mississippi River with the goal of documenting the people and places along America's greatest river. Phillip and Ryan will now showcase their adventure documentary alongside the river it features with a 45 city tour along the mighty Mississippi River.
If you are keeping track of my blog posts lately you might find your self wondering "What does this have to do with Wonderful reasons to love St Cloud MN?" This post actually has a greater overall meaning, in that we value our natural resources. The Mississippi River is one of the most precious resources in central Minnesota (and yes Granite too) but we felt that it really needed to be pointed out and maybe it should have been earlier than post #36 of wonderful reasons to love St Cloud, but now seemed like a good time.
The community showing of The River is Life is one of many efforts going on within the St. Cloud area to bring awareness to this magnificent river and plan for its future. The tri-cities (St. Cloud, Sartell and Sauk Rapids) have embarked upon a first time ever planning process to develop a framework on how we embrace this river and make it more a part of our communities for future generations. A large part of the planning for this project will include input from the local communities. We are all invited to get involved today with the first ever, St. Cloud Urban Area Mississippi River Corridor Planning Process. Your ideas and input are essential in making our community a river community destination for visitors and more importantly a place to call home. So click on the link and make your voice heard today!
Vision for the Future of the Mississippi River in Central Minnesota- (This is taken directly from the Vision document, with permission. I felt that keeping the wording exact was important as the language below was endorsed by St Cloud, Sartell and Sauk Rapids, Benton and Stearns County and the St. Cloud Area Joint Planning District)
Through thoughtful practices, decisions, and planning, Mississippi River Renaissance communities will work locally to achieve our shared visions for the stretch of the Mississippi River that we call home:
- We value the Mississippi River's scenic beauty as a unique asset that distinguishes our communities. We will safeguard and enhance natural and native areas along the river with shoreline conservation and development that preserves views of and from the River.
- We prize the recreation the River provides as a defining feature of our local heritage. We will cultivate residents' and visitors' year-round recreational enjoyment of the River with an interconnected system of trails, roads, and River access points as well as community events and other initiatives to encourage a wide range of responsible, rewarding public use.
- We recognize that clean water and healthy shorelines are critical for sustaining the River's fish and wildlife populations. We will maintain and improve water quality, river banks, and natural areas along the River to provide habitats where treasured local species of fish and wildlife can thrive.
- We regard the Mississippi River as crucial to our quality of life. We will honor the River's centrality in our history, take pride in its value to our communities today, and commit to preserving this unique natural heritage for our children and grandchildren. We will celebrate the River's vital role in bringing natural beauty, recreation, and abundant opportunity to our way of life in Central Minnesota.
- We respect the River as an irreplaceable source of drinking water. We will improve and protect the Mississippi River's water quality, making it a safe and reliable source of clean water for millions of people in our area, statewide and nationally.
- We value the River's important economic contributions to Central Minnesota. We will promote creative, sustainable, and longsighted business practices to maintain the River's economic power for our communities today and for future generations.
- We take local pride in stewarding a national treasure. We will continue and strengthen the efforts to ensure water quality, recreational opportunities, and aesthetic beauty that make the Mississippi River in Minnesota a national model and a compelling destination for visitors from across our country and across the world.
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