Missouri River Canoe Expedition, Missouri National Recreational River, South Dakota and Nebraska

The Trip

You’ll grow accustomed to a deep, peaceful silence during these five days canoeing and four nights camping on the Missouri River. You may notice the absence of jet trails carving the blue, wide South Dakota sky. Musing at the Niobrara Chalk bluffs across the Missouri River, you may find yourself traveling back in time to when Native Americans, French, Spanish, British voyageurs, and Lewis & Clark explored this river valley.  Like those early explorers, and nearly 214 years to the day after Lewis & Clark passed through in 1804, we will also enjoy a Missouri River in its natural state with ever-changing sandbars and braided channels, beautiful cliffs, and minimal evidence of civilization.

Since we will paddle only 2-4 hours each day with frequent breaks, we will have plenty of time for exploration and leisure. Each day we can enjoy scenic side hikes, photography, fishing, wildlife viewing, relaxing, conversation, swimming, and simply refreshing our minds and spirits in the beauty surrounding us.

The Missouri National Recreational River (“MNRR”) is a National Park located between Nebraska and South Dakota. MNRR encompasses the only two unaltered stretches of the Missouri River below Montana and the mouth of the Missouri. In 1978, the 59-mile MNRR reach between Gavins Point Dam and Ponca State Park was designated a national park under the Wild and Scenic River Act. In 1991, an additional 39-mile section between Fort Randall Dam and Niobrara, Nebraska, was added. In 2013 MNRR was added to the National Park Service’s National Water Trail System, becoming one of 14 water trails nationwide. The local Sierra Club is a proud sponsor of MNRR.

Intermediate to experienced paddlers are preferred; however, the co-leaders will consider sign-ups by beginner paddlers (inquire before sign-up). Lodging, canoe rental, on-trip transportation, permits, meals, and other expenses are included. 

Due to the need to confirm hotel, charter bus, and canoe rental reservations, sign-ups are needed before or on August 15, 2018.

About 14 days before Pre-Trip: The leaders and the group will have a mandatory Trailhead Talk conference call. From the comfort of your home, we’ll get to know each other as we discuss logistics, expectations, food, gear, weather and river conditions, questions, concerns, etc.

Pre-Trip: (Meet Up Day)

You should arrive in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, the day before the trip starts. Please schedule your airline flights and driving times to arrive on time. You may have to leave your hometown one or more days in advance and/or travel on an overnight flight.

The co-leaders have reserved rooms at a hotel in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (two queen beds per room, non-smoking, included in trip price).  As we wait for everyone to arrive in Sioux Falls, we can get to know each other, conduct checks of personal and group gear, do any final packing, stage our gear for tomorrow’s shuttle, etc.  If necessary, shopping trips can be made into Sioux Falls to purchase additional supplies or gear.  At 6:00 p.m. we will gather for dinner at a local Sioux Falls restaurant (not included in the trip fee).  After dinner, we will go back to the hotel.

Day 1: (RM 880 to ≈ 866)

Today we start the adventure! Get your breakfast at the hotel’s generous breakfast bar. A chartered bus will pick us up at the hotel (time to be determined) and take us to the Randall Creek Recreation Area boat ramp. Our canoe outfitter will meet us at the ramp to deliver our canoes, paddles, and PFDs.

At the ramp we will allocate group gear and load our canoes. Before hitting the water, the group will review canoe basics, paddling techniques, on-water safety, and conduct two-way radio checks. Then we’re off to explore beautiful shorelines and cliffs and take in the spectacular views of the Missouri River bottom land!

On the right (South Dakota) we’ll be passing by the shoreline of the Yankton Sioux tribal lands and we will keep an eye out for J.B. Truteau’s “lost” 1795 trading fort “Ponca House.” On the left (Nebraska) we will almost certainly see bald eagles as we float past the Karl E. Mundt National Wildlife Refuge and we can look for “Old Baldy” where Lewis & Clark first “discovered” prairie dogs on Sept. 7, 1804.

September 7, Friday. A very cold morning. Set out at day light we landed after proceding 5½ miles, near the foot of a round mounting which I saw yesterday resembling a dome. Capt Lewis & my Self walked up, to the top which forms a Cone and is about 70 feet higher than the high lands around it, the Bass is about 300 foot in decending this Cupola, discovered a Village of Small animals that burrow in the grown (those animals are Called by the french Pitite Chien) Killed one & Cought one a live by poreing a great quantity of water in his hole we attempted to dig to the beds of one of thos animals, after diging 6 feet, found by running a pole down that we were not half way to his Lodges, we found 2 frogs in the hole, and killed a Dark rattle Snake near with a Ground rat [X: or prarie dog] in him, (those rats are numerous). -- William Clark

Our intended camp destination is Sunshine Bottoms but, as always, the weather and the River will dictate our schedule. Primitive camping only, no pit toilets. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 2: (RM 866 to ≈ RM 858-855)

After breaking camp, we will paddle downriver and then stop near Greenwood, South Dakota. There we will walk up to view the 1858 Yankton Sioux Treaty Monument and the gravesite of Yankton Sioux Chief Struck By-the-Ree. 

We will be met by a Yankton Sioux interpretative guide that can discuss Tribal cultural, history, treaties, and environmental issues effecting Tribal lands. The Yankton Sioux Tribe buffalo keepers will lead us to the current location of the Tribe’s bison herd. From a safe and respectful distance, we can observe and photograph these magnificent, sacred animals. Then back to the canoes. We will pass Lewis & Clark’s September 6, 1804, campsite as we make our way downriver to camp on Sanctuary Island. Primitive camping only, no pit toilets. All meals included.

September 6, Thursday 1804. A Storm this morning from the N. W. which lasted a few minits, we Set out and proceeded on  passed the head of the Isd. which is Seperated from the L. S by a narrow Channel, a hard wind from the N. W. a verry Cold day— we Camped on the S. S. at the upper point of Some timber, Some time before night, no timber, no timber being in reach. I saw Several goats on the hills on the S. S. also Buffalow in great numbers. -- William Clark

Day 3: (RM 858 to ≈ RM 844)

After breaking camp, we will paddle on past Lewis & Clark’s Septenber 5, 1804, and August 31, 1806, campsites.

5th September 1804 Wednesday, Set out early  the wind blew hard from the South as it has for Some Days past, we Set up a jury mast & Sailed, I saw a large gangue of Turkeys, also Grous Seen. Passed a large Island of about 3 miles long in the Middle of the river, opposit the head of this Island the Poncarre River  Coms in to the Missourei on the L. S.— the S. S is a Clift under which great numbers of Springs run out of mineral water, Saw Several wild goats on the Clift & Deer with black tales,— Sent Shields & Gibson to the Poncas Towns, which is Situated on the Ponca river on the lower side about two miles from its mouth in an open butifull Plain, at this time this nation is out hunting the biffalow they raise no corn or Beens, Gibson killed a Buffalow in the Town, The two men which has been absent several Days is ahead, we came to on the upper pt. of a large Island at 3 oclock to make a mast  Sent out Some hunters on the Island (which I call no preserve Island, at this place we used the last of our Preservs) They killed 3 bucks, & two Elk which we jurked. -- William Clark

Saturday 31 August 1806 all wet and disagreeable this morning. at half past 11 P. M. last night the wind Shifted about to the N. W. and it began to rain with hard Claps of thunder and lightning the Clouds passd over and the wind Shifted about to the S W. & blew with great violence So much So that all hands were obliged to hold the Canoes & Perogue to prevent their being blown off from the Sand bar, however a Suden Squal of wind broke the cables of the two Small canoes and with Some dificuelty they were got to Shore Soon after the 2 Canoes in which Sergt. Pryor and the indians go in broke loose with wiser and Willard in them and were blown quite across the river to the N E. Shore where fortunately they arived Safe, I Sent Sergt. Jo Ordway with a Small perogue and 6 men to prosue the 2 Canoes and assist them in effecting a landing, those 2 Canoes being tied together 2 men could not manage them, the wind Slackened a little and by 2 A. M. Sergt Ordway with Willard wiser and the 2 Canoes returned all Safe, the wind continud to blow and it rained untill day light all wet and disagreeable. all the party examind their arms and put them in order and we Set out and proceeded on down. Saw Several Indians on the hills untill we passed the Island of Cedar 9 A. M the morning Cloudy and wind down the the river at 4 P. M. passed the doome and lowest village of Barking Squirels. this is also the highest up the river where I observed the fox Squirel in the bottom above the doome on N. E Side I killed 2 fox Squirels. we Saw no game of any kind to day as the banks as usial. the Sun Shone with a number of flying Clouds.  we encamped on the N. E. Side a little below our Encampment of the 5th of Septr. on no preserve Island (mouth of Chouteau Creek) haveing Come 70 Miles. -- William Clark

Given time we can stop at the Verdel Access before paddling further downriver to set up for our two-night camp in the Niobrara State Park. Primitive camping only, pit toilet. All meals included.

Day 4: (Niobrara State Park)

We will have a spectacular view of Niobrara Chalk bluffs from our “base camp” in the Niobrara State Park. After breakfast we can hike up the river bluff to explore Niobrara State Park and hike the state park trails, tour the J. Alan Cramer Interpretive Center with a scenic overlook, or go see the historic 1929 Chicago Northwestern Railroad Bridge spanning 1,200 feet across the Niobrara River. 

We will also get out to day paddle the islands and the marshlands near our camp or paddling down to explore the Niobrara River.  As Ratty opined in Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows, “Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”

A Northern Prairies Land Trust field agent may join us while we “simply mess about in boats.” She’ll be an extremely valuable resource for us because she has a B.S in Biology and is working towards her M.S.  While a research assistant at the University of South Dakota, she studied vegetation patterns in cottonwood forests along the Missouri River.

We may also be visited by a National Park Service MNRR interpretative ranger. He can explain and teach us about the Missouri River, MNRR, and be an informative resource for our questions and for discussions about conservation issues effecting MNRR.

After our exploration, we’re back to camp for the night. Primitive camping, pit toilet. All meals included.

4th September Tuesday 1804 a verry Cold wind from the S.S.E, we Set out early and proceeded on the mouth of a Small Creek in a bend to the L. S. Called White lime, at 1½ miles higher up passed a large Creek on the L. S. Called R. au platte or white paint    between those two Creeks (the latter of which is abt. 30 yds. wide) we passed under a Bluff of (white) red Ceeder, at 4 mes. ½ passed the mouth of the River Que Courre (rapid R) on the L. S. and Came to a Short distance above, this River is 152 yards wide at the mouth & 4 feet Deep Throwing out Sands like the Platt (only Corser) forming bars in its mouth, I went up this river three miles to a butifull Plain on the upper Side where the Panias (Ponca) once had a Village this river widens above its mouth and is devided by Sand and Islands, the Current verry rapid, not navagable for even Canoos without Great dificulty owing to its Sands; the colour like that of the Plat is light the heads of this river is not known, [NB: in the Black mountins & waters a hilly country & indifferent soil] it Coms into the Missourie from the S. W. by West, and I am told that is Genl. Course Some distance up is parrelel with the Missourie. -- William Clark

Day 5: (RM 844 to RM 831)

After breakfast we’ll paddle on, passing by Lewis & Clark’s Sept. 3, 1804, campsite and the Niobrara River. We will pass under the Chief Standing Bear Memorial Bridge and with the Santee Sioux reservation river-right, we will enter the upper portion of the “Delta."

3rd of September Monday 1804 a verry Cold morning wind from N. W. we Set out at Sun rise, & proceeded on to a Bluff below the mouth of Plumb 12 yds. Creek on the S. S. and took an obsevation of the Suns Altitude This Creek is Small it "abounds with blumbs of a Delicious flavour" the River is wide and Crouded with Sand bars— it is riseing a little but little timber in this Countrey all that is, is on the river in the points. we Came too on the L. S in the edge of a Plain an Camped for the night— we Saw Some Signs of the two men Shannon & Colter, Shannon appeared to be a head of Colter— The White banks appear to Continu on both sides of the river. Grapes plenty and finely flavered. -- William Clark

“The Lewis & Clark Lake delta begins near the Missouri-Niobrara River confluence and extends 16 miles downstream into Lewis & Clark Lake. This portion of the MNRR Water Trail is characterized by numerous braided channels separated by densely vegetated sandbars. The delta is the result of a significant amount of sediment from the Missouri River, Niobrara River and other tributaries entering the slower moving waters of Lewis & Clark Lake. The delta is set in a unique landscape and offers a paddling experience that is different from that of the Missouri River main channel. The current here is slower than that of the river, allowing paddlers to travel upstream with relative ease and therefore the option to begin and end at the same location. Both the delta and Lewis & Clark Lake offer several access points, most of which feature water trail signage. Much of the delta is bordered by steep bluffs of the chalky Niobrara Formation. The delta's many channels are separated by numerous sandbars that are mostly vegetated with common reed grass and cattails. Because of the numerous channels, we don't offer suggested routes through this portion of the water trail but rather encourage paddlers to explore the area on their own. While the delta is a great paddling experience, it also requires some preparation in terms of navigation. All who plan to paddle the delta should bring a GPS to aid navigation through the many channels this area has to offer.” -- Missouri River Institute

Eventually we will weave our way through the Delta and back to the South Dakota side of the river.  We will reach our take-out point and be met by our canoe outfitter and charter bus.  After a challenging and rewarding day of paddling, we will load up to head back to Sioux Falls and our hotel.  We will enjoy our last dinner as a group in a local restaurant (not included in the trip price) and then back to the hotel. All meals included, excluding the restaurant dinner.

Day 6: (Trip End)

We will have breakfast at our Sioux Falls hotel breakfast bar, exchange farewells and hugs, and return to our modern lives enriched, informed, and rejuvenated by our time travel adventure. Breakfast included.

Getting There

Please do not make travel arrangements until the co-leaders have confirmed you as a trip member. Travel insurance is affordable, recommended, and available through Sierra Club (see “Notes for Sierra Club Outings” below).

Flights: Book your flights in and out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Frontier, Allegiant, Delta, United, and American all have multiple flights on a daily basis.  Please schedule your airline flights and driving times to arrive on time. This may require you departing your hometown one or more days in advance and/or traveling on an overnight flight. Because the co-leaders can not guarantee a time that we will arrive back in Sioux Falls, do not schedule any return flights on day six.

Driving: Carpooling is eco-friendly and encouraged but the co-leaders cannot arrange carpools for participants. It is the participant's responsibility to arrange for carpooling with other participants. For the duration of the trip we leave our vehicles at the hotel in Sioux Falls.

Airport Shuttles: Leaders have made reservations at a Sioux Falls hotel that is very near the airport and has a free airport shuttle. On the last day of the trip and during their return to Kansas City, Missouri, the leaders will have limited space to transport participants to the Omaha, Sioux Falls or Kansas City airports. If you’re interested, please talk with the co-leaders before making airline reservations; however, the co-leaders cannot guarantee a time of arrival at those airports.

Accommodations and Food

We will spend the Meet Up Day and days six and seven in a hotel (included in trip price). The co-leaders have made reservations for a block of eight rooms (two queen beds per room, non-smoking) in a Sioux Falls hotel. You should anticipate sharing a room with one other participant.

While on the River, we will be primitive tent camping in sites with little to no accommodations (i.e. pit toilets) where we camp.  We will strive to follow Leave No Trace principles at all times.  Participants are expected to volunteer for camp chores on a rotating basis, including collecting firewood, and assisting in meal preparation and clean up.

The first and last meals provided will be breakfast on day two and breakfast on day seven. The trip leaders strive to provide interesting, varied, and nutritious meals. Meals may include meats, dairy, and eggs. The leaders will provide stoves, cooking equipment, and other group gear. 

Please discuss food allergies, dietary restrictions, or special requests with the leaders before signing up for the trip. Pre-trip, the leaders will distribute a tentative menu and solicit input from the participants. Speak up! We will do our best to accommodate vegetarians and participants with medical dietary restrictions but those with especially challenging food restrictions may be asked to bring or prepare some of their own food. Trail snacks, between-meal snacks, or alcohol is not provided.

Trip Difficulty

For the dates of the outing, the historic average high temperature is 79º and the average low temperature is 53º with a high/low of 97º/35º and an average wind speed of 9.5 mph. You must have a good two-piece waterproof rain suit that you can paddle in all day. With some advance planning, most gear can be rented on an individual basis or purchased second-hand, like on Ebay. The leaders may have some gear that can be loaned. After receiving the trip guide and the gear lists and if you have any questions, please contact the trip leaders or discuss it during the trailhead talk.

Depending on weather and River conditions, this could be a moderately difficult trip. Most days we will paddle 2-4 hours covering approximately 4-13 miles per day with frequent breaks. We will be making and breaking camp each day. As a group, we need to cooperatively move gear and canoes into our campsites.

The Missouri River can be a gentle river but it does have a persistent current (approx. 2-5 mph) with faster currents in certain places (approx. 5-7 mph). We face the challenge of picking our way around sandbars, through back channels, and around islands. We should have the river nearly all to ourselves since we will be traveling during the off-season and during weekdays. Motorized powerboats are also allowed in the 39-mile stretch. 

Experienced and intermediate paddlers may find the paddling easy but due to wind, weather, and distances, beginning or novice paddlers may find it challenging. Basic paddling skills are required and participants must be able to manage, with teamwork, a canoe in at least light wind and small waves. Don’t hesitate to ask the leaders for advice or to demonstrate any paddle strokes. The co-leaders will initially pair paddlers into teams based upon their self-reported skill levels. Participants should have some experience with canoe camping (i.e. both canoeing and camping). 

On most days we expect wind to be an issue. With consideration of prevailing winds and the sections of the river most susceptible to strong winds, the co-leaders have built extra time into the itinerary in the event we have to adjust to unfavorable weather and river conditions or to lay-up waiting for winds to subside.

The National Park Service cautions, “The wider portions of the river are most affected by wind.  In the summer the prevailing wind is from the south and southwest.  That, and the river current (from 2-7 mph), can make steering a straight course difficult.  Wind can hide changes in the river by creating surface ripples, which have nothing to do with water depth.  If the wind is gusty, read the surface between gusts.  Wind is always a challenge with which canoeists must deal.  Strong wind is something most canoeists should stay away from altogether.”  (See more at National Park Service “Canoeing and Kayaking” http://www.nps.gov/mnrr/planyourvisit/canoeing-and-kayaking.htm, and at “39-Mile Reach Paddler’s Guide, http://www.nps.gov/mnrr/39guide.htm) 

There is cell phone coverage but it can be spotty or non-existent in certain areas.  The co-leaders will have InReach for text messaging and also a satellite phone for emergency use only.

Although we will do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, the itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. Selection of the final itinerary and paddling route is left up to the discretion of the co-leaders and in consideration of each participant’s physical condition and skills, the capabilities and experience of the group, and/or weather conditions. As needed, the co-leaders will adjust the trip itinerary. This trip is operated rain or shine, however, the trip may be cancelled in the event of current or imminent flooding conditions. Travel insurance is recommended and is available through the Sierra Club (see “Notes for Sierra Club Outings” below).

Equipment and Clothing

Canoes, paddles, and PFDs are included in the trip cost. Due to the need to carry group gear, food, and water and also due to shuttle logistics, personal canoes or kayaks will not be allowed.

After participants are accepted, the co-leaders will provide a trip guide and a detailed list of required and optional gear. Participants may need to acquire some specialized gear. You will need a personal first-aid kit containing extra vision corrective devices, prescription medications, OTC items like Band-Aids, aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.

The co-leaders will provide group gear, like water bladders, stoves, pots and pans, cooking and water purification equipment and camp tarp(s). A list of group gear will be distributed prior to departure. The co-leaders will have a group first-aid kit and a satellite phone for emergency use only.

In addition to printed maps, the co-leaders will be using electronic GPS units. You are welcome to bring your personal GPS unit and the co-leaders can share their GPS navigation e-files if those are compatible to your personal device.

References

National Park Service Helicopter Flyover Videos:

• National Park Service, Missouri National Recreational River: http://www.nps.gov/mnrr/planyourvisit/maps.htm
• 2004 aerial photomaps of the river may be purchased at the Lewis & Clark Visitor Center or ordered form Jefferson National Parks Association.  Order # 13719 and/or #13722; use discount code YNK10.
• Use also Google Maps or Google Earth

Websites:

• National Park Service, Missouri National Recreational River: http://www.nps.gov/mnrr/index.htm
• National Park Service, “Canoeing and Kayaking”: http://www.nps.gov/mnrr/planyourvisit/canoeing-and-kayaking.htm
• National Park Service, “39-Mile Reach Paddler’s Guide: http://www.nps.gov/mnrr/39guide.htm)
• Missouri River Institute: http://mri.usd.edu/watertrail/
• University of South Dakota, Missouri River Institute: http://www.usd.edu/missouri-river-institute/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_National_Recreational_River
• Northern Prairies Land Trust: http://www.northernprairies.org/
• Yankton Sioux Treaty Monument: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yankton_Treaty
• 1858 Treaty with the Yankton Sioux: http://digital.library.okstate.edu/kappler/vol2/treaties/yan0776.htm#mn3
• Indian Affairs: Law and Treaties (Treaties by Tribe Name): http://digital.library.okstate.edu/kappler/vol2/treaties/yan0776.htm#mn3
• Yankton Sioux, South Dakota: http://www.sdtribalrelations.com/yankton.aspx
• Santee Sioux, Niobrara, Nebraska: http://santeesiouxnation.net/agency.html
• Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, Home: http://www.poncatribe-ne.org/; History: http://www.poncatribe-ne.org/History,
• Niobrara State Park: http://outdoornebraska.gov/?s=Niobrara+State+Park
• Karl E. Mundt National Wildlife Refuge: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/karl_e_mundt/
• Struck By-the-Ree: http://aktalakota.stjo.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=8774
• The Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition: https://lewisandclarkjournals.unl.edu/
• Facebook:  Missouri National Recreational River Water Trail: https://www.facebook.com/mnrrwatertrail
• Facebook:  National Park Service Missouri National Recreational River: https://www.facebook.com/MissouriNationalRecreationalRiver
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Missouri River Recovery Program: http://moriverrecovery.usace.army.mil/mrrp/f?p=136:10:0::NO
• Nebraska Folklore (Book Two), “Lover’s Leap”, page 2: http://www.nebraskahistory.org/museum/teachers/material/nebdata/book2.pdf
• Center for Outdoor Ethics “Leave No Trace”: https://lnt.org/learn/7-principles and https://lnt.org/learn/online-awareness-course
• Niobrara Trail, Niobrara River Bridge, Knox County, Nebraska: http://bridgehunter.com/ne/knox/bh45497/

Canoe Instructional Videos:

• Tandem Canoe Basics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjdlF7Cnr3E
• How to Do a J-Stroke - Canoe Technique: https://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=kSOu0jyuqN8&feature=endscreen

Conservation

The Sierra Club is an environmentally focused entity. We are concerned about conservation and sustainability of resources, both locally and globally. Our work is accomplished by volunteers and aided by a salaried staff to encourage grassroots involvement. Our outings seek to empower participants toward greater understanding, advocacy, and participation in the goals of the Club. The focus of this trip is to enjoy the wilderness and also to discuss issues relating to MNRR and the environment.

The Missouri River is effected by a myriad of complicated environmental concerns, such as, the Keystone XL pipeline, non-native species, Missouri River water quality, sediment deposition in the reservoirs, use of the river by local, commercial, and recreational interests, the effects of reservoir releases on Missouri River wildlife and habitat, restoration and protection of the riparian buffer, including cottonwood habitat, sandbar habitat and vegetation control, and threatened and endangered species, including the least tern, the piping plover, and the pallid sturgeon. The leaders will promote discussion of these and other topics. The training and experiences of the wildlife biologist and the National Park Service’s interpretative ranger will be very useful to understand and gain perspective on these environmental concerns.

Check out these videos:

• “Probing the Depths of the of the Big Muddy” by Caroline Elliott: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYriZ4xtdDM
• "How Rivers Get Their Curves, The Answer Is Both Simple And Fascinating":  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a3r-cG8Wic
• “Cottonwood Loss Another Change Observed Along Missouri River”: http://www.joplinglobe.com/news/lifestyles/andy-ostmeyer-cottonwood-loss-another-change-observed-along-missouri-river/article_348d259f-21ed-5584-a26c-9ab57b23e61b.html

The Friends of the Missouri National Recreational River incorporated in 2015 and have gotten off to a fast start in their work to conserve MNRR. Their mission is to "build awareness, enhance and advocate for the scenic, recreational, fish and wildlife, ecological, geological, cultural/historical values and economic and recreational opportunities of the Missouri River, a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.” The Friends are steadily gaining public and corporate support and have successfully partnered with the National Park Service and neighboring landowners. See more about the Friends at http://www.fomnrr.org/.

Please take a moment to test your Leave No Trace knowledge using the LNT Online Awareness Course. First take the tutorial at https://lnt.org/learn/online-awareness-course to refresh your LNT awareness. Then take the test! Who knows, a passing score may get you out of kitchen duty!

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.