Friends of the Mississippi River, a conservation and advocacy group, is making its final funding push toward a $6 million goal for Mississippi River restoration and conservation.

The “Our River” campaign, launched in September 2024, has already allowed the organization to hire more staff, serve more youth through its programming and expand its conservation projects, said Allyson Petry, who fundraises for FMR. 

To celebrate the campaign, which wraps up at the end of 2025, FMR is hosting “Our River: Mississippi Muse,” an exhibition in St. Paul open through Dec. 19.

Eighteen works by local artists are on display, selected by a jury of FMR members, staff and community artists. Jake Keeler, an artist and FMR board member who helped organize the event, said the pieces reflect a deep connection to the river.

“When you look at the work, you can tell there is a passion for the subject matter,” Keeler said. “I think that same passion an artist has for subject matter is the same passion FMR has for the Mississippi River.”

Keeler said creating and participating in the exhibition helps give voice to the river.

“The river is a very special thing and has been to so many different people over so many years,” Keeler said. “It acts as a teacher. It acts as a source of inspiration, a source of livelihood and sustenance. It’s so important.”

FMR’s work focuses on four areas: Protecting the river corridor, land conservation, water protection and stewardship and education, according to their “Our River” campaign.

One piece in the exhibition, “Bdote Mni Sota,” is a map by artist Stefanie Kiihn, who works primarily with ink on paper. The confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, known as Bdote, is widely recognized as a Dakota place of origin, according to the Minnesota Historical Society. 

Drawing on 18th-century and modern cartography, the work shows both historic trails and modern highways. Kiihn said researching the landscape deepened her understanding of the Mississippi’s history.

“That was kind of an eye-opening experience,” Kiihn said. “Obviously, a lot of habitat was lost. That’s why I was so honored to be part of the Friends of the Mississippi River show. They’re very conservation-focused.”

FMR partners with the owners of more than 30 sites throughout the metro area to address pollution and restore natural habitats, said Petry. 

Keeler said the site work is critically important.

“Water conservation isn’t just about the water itself,” Keeler said. “It’s about the land that surrounds the water, fighting erosion, fighting pollution and making sure the entire ecosystem is taken care of.”

Much of FMR’s work centers on long-term change, Keeler said. FMR has issued support for ongoing studies that examine the impact of removing the Lower St. Anthony Falls lock and dam and Lock and Dam 1, the Ford Dam.

Keeler said though it depends on the study results, the dam’s removal may help restore ecological functions of the river, restore its natural flow and improve community access to the river.

“That’s transformative work. It’s not going to happen in one to two years,” Keeler said. “These big changes have to start somewhere, and if somebody doesn’t start it, it will never happen.”

FMR is also prioritizing a reduction in agricultural runoff and is part of a first-of-its-kind collaboration to develop new market-based approaches to address pollutants. Runoff is the biggest pollutant the Mississippi faces, Keeler said.

“At some point, there is only so much you can do to remove pollution, sediment and improve the waterways,” Keeler said. “You really have to deal with the pollution in the runoff and the effects of modern agriculture and urbanization.”

The organization is leading a 10-state coalition pushing for federal protections for the Mississippi River, Petry said. The effort includes nonprofits and government agencies, drawing inspiration from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, a federal investment into pollutant cleanup and habitat restoration.

Petry said the coalition hopes to establish a similar federal commitment to protect the Mississippi.

“That is currently not a legislative priority under this administration,” Petry said. “But it is still happening on the back end.”

Keeler said he is optimistic about the future of FMR’s work.

“At a time when funding toward environmental protection and programs is being cut,” Keeler said. “The staff, leadership and programs of FMR are strong. There’s momentum, and there’s a lot of support, and I think we have the right work in front of us.”