Sustain Our River
Sustain Our River
Coalition for the long-term health of the Upper Mississippi River
Who We Are
Sustain Our River (SOR) is an alliance dedicated to protecting and advocating for the Upper Mississippi River’s ecological integrity and community resilience.
SOR Planning Group An 11-member body representing eleven organizations united to preserve vital federal support for:
- USGS Science Centers
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS)
- Funding for River HREP Projects under UMRR
- Funding for River LTRMP Program under UMRR
Member Organizations
- Town of Campbell Supervisor
- Lake Onalaska Rehabilitation Coalition
- Lake Onalaska Protection and Rehabilitation District
- Izaak Walton League of America, Inc.
- Brice Prairie Conservation Association
- Friends of the Refuge – Mississippi River Pools 7 & 8
- Friends of Pool 9
- Friends of the Upper Mississippi
- Great River Road Leader
- Former WDNR Waterfowl Biologist
Our Focus
1. Preserving River Health & Habitat
We unite Midwest organizations and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with partners from the bayous of the Lower Mississippi to the banks of the Hudson, the Colorado, and beyond. Together, we are part of a nationwide movement to protect America’s lifeline, our rivers. This coast-to-coast alliance is amplifying local voices, sharing strategies, and pressing for urgent action as federal funding for restoration faces potential cuts.
“This is not just a Midwest issue. From Louisiana to New York, people are standing up for the rivers that sustain their communities.” — Sustain Our River Coalition
2. Supporting Critical Environmental Work
We tackle urgent threats to river ecosystems, including:
- Invasive species like carp
- Sedimentation and erosion
- Water quality degradation
- Habitat loss for fish, wildlife, and surrounding communities
“The Mississippi is the lifeblood of the communities that are along it.” — Marc Schultz, Lake Onalaska Protection and Rehab District
3. Ensuring Science & Student Opportunities
We protect programs like the UW–La Crosse River Studies Center, which offer:
- Internships and career pathways
- Cutting-edge research
- Hands-on learning that connects students to the river’s future
4. Advocating for Restoration Funding
We call on Congress to maintain support for the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program (UMRR), the cornerstone of ecological health, community resilience, and regional economic stability.
What Is the Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) Program?
Authorized by the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, UMRR is one of the most significant river restoration and monitoring efforts in U.S. history.
Core Elements
- Habitat Rehabilitation & Enhancement Projects (HREP): Restoring and enhancing critical fish and wildlife habitats across tens of thousands of acres.
- Long-Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP): Collecting ecological data to inform science-based management and adaptive decision-making.
How We Intersect
- Sustain Our River: Our public and regional advocacy arm, rallying community support and securing funding for restoration.
- UMRR: The operational program executing on-the-ground restoration, monitoring, and research.
Without UMRR funding, critical progress, habitat restoration, invasive species control, and long-term research, would be at risk. But we are not alone. From the Lower Mississippi Delta to the Great Lakes watershed, a united front is emerging. This is a national movement to protect the rivers that define our communities, economies, and ecosystems, and we are proud to be part of it.
Core Elements
- Habitat Rehabilitation & Enhancement Projects (HREP) Restoring and enhancing critical fish and wildlife habitats across tens of thousands of acres.
- Long-Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP) Collecting ecological data to inform science-based management and adaptive decision-making.
Why It Matters
- Addresses sedimentation, invasive species (like carp), and other ecological threats
- Brings together federal/state agencies, NGOs, and the public in collaborative protection
- Proven outcomes:
- 56+ completed habitat projects
- Restoration across 106,000+ acres
- Recognized model for river restoration nationally and internationally
- Ensures transparency through Reports to Congress, Strategic Plans, and Monitoring Reports
Success stories
- Bald eagle recovery: from near extinction to thriving populations.
- Lower Pool 8 Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Projects (HREPs): restored backwaters and islands improve fish spawning areas, reduce sedimentation, and boost biodiversity.
- Community partnerships: federal, local, and volunteer collaboration keeps the refuge vibrant and accessible.
Economic & Cultural Impact
- In 2015, reports from Quad-City Times stated that commerce along the Mississippi generated about $405 billion yearly. The Upper Mississippi River area, which comprises parts of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin, generated $253 billion and supported more than 700,000 jobs. The Lower Mississippi River area generated $157 billion and supported more than 500,000 jobs. Together, they put earnings for the entire Mississippi River at more than $1 billion daily.
- Generates $24.6 billion annually in tourism and recreation.
- Supports 420,000 jobs in shops, restaurants, outfitters, and marinas across river towns.
- Provides valuable ecosystem services like clean water and flood protection.
- The refuge and river recreation support tens of thousands of jobs in fishing, hunting, boating, and tourism.
- Every $10 million spent on habitat restoration in the Upper Mississippi supports 306 full-time jobs and generates over $26 million in economic output.
Without UMRR funding, critical progress, habitat restoration, invasive species control, and long-term research would be at risk.
About "Sustain our river" Coalition
History
A Living Treasure
A Living Treasure
- The name “Mississippi” comes from the Ojibwa (Chippewa) language, meaning “great river” or “gathering of waters”—a fitting description for a system that stretches from the Alleghenies to the Rockies.
- Native American tribes have relied on the river for food, trade, and culture for thousands of years — and still do today.
- This massive water
- The name “Mississippi” comes from the Ojibwa (Chippewa) language, meaning “great river” or “gathering of waters”—a fitting description for a system that stretches from the Alleghenies to the Rockies.
- Native American tribes have relied on the river for food, trade, and culture for thousands of years — and still do today.
- This massive watershed is the third-largest on Earth, fed by 250 tributaries and draining water from 41% of the U.S., touching 31 states in total.
- The river itself is no small feat either. It runs 2,340 miles from Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. A single drop of water takes about three months to complete that journey.
- We often talk about the Mississippi in two parts: the upper Mississippi, which flows from Lake Itasca to the Ohio River, and the lower Mississippi, which carries the water from there to its final destination near New Orleans.
Global Recognition
- Designated a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, recognizing its role as one of the world’s great wetlands.
- Contains multiple Globally Important Bird Areas (IBAs).
A Living Treasure
A Living Treasure
A Living Treasure
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge offers:
- Globally significant flyway
- Hosts 326 bird species — 60% of all North American birds.
- Migratory route for 40% of North America’s waterfowl.
- Spring: migration of colorful songbirds through floodplain forests.
- Fall: spectacular concentrations of tundra swans and canvasback du
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge offers:
- Globally significant flyway
- Hosts 326 bird species — 60% of all North American birds.
- Migratory route for 40% of North America’s waterfowl.
- Spring: migration of colorful songbirds through floodplain forests.
- Fall: spectacular concentrations of tundra swans and canvasback ducks.
- Year‑round outdoor recreation
- Fishing: walleye, northern pike, paddlefish, and other species of ancient lineage; supports both commercial and recreational fisheries.
- Hunting: high‑quality waterfowl and other regulated game.
- Bird‑watching & photography: world‑class viewing of bald eagles, pelicans, herons, and more.
- Water activities: boating, paddling, and scenic tours.
- Wildlife diversity
- 260+ fish species, some with ancient lineages.
- 45 amphibian & reptile species.
- 57 mammal species.
- 37–50+ freshwater mussel species, forming some of the most diverse mussel beds in the world.
Did your know
A Living Treasure
Did your know
- The Upper Mississippi River NWR is the most-visited national wildlife refuge in the entire U.S., with ~3.7 million annual visits — more than Yellowstone, Yosemite, or Grand Canyon National Parks get in some individual months.
- It stretches 261 miles along the Mississippi River across 4 states (MN, WI, IA, IL), making it one of the longes
- The Upper Mississippi River NWR is the most-visited national wildlife refuge in the entire U.S., with ~3.7 million annual visits — more than Yellowstone, Yosemite, or Grand Canyon National Parks get in some individual months.
- It stretches 261 miles along the Mississippi River across 4 states (MN, WI, IA, IL), making it one of the longest continuous river refuges in the world.
Birds & Migration
- The refuge is part of the Mississippi Flyway, one of the world’s greatest bird migration routes.
- Each fall, 40% of North America’s waterfowl (including up to 300,000 canvasback ducks) pass through Pool 7 (Lake Onalaska).
- More than 325 bird species use the refuge, including bald eagles, tundra swans, and the endangered whooping crane.
Global Importance
- Designated a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, recognizing its role as one of the world’s great wetlands.
- Contains multiple Globally Important Bird Areas (IBAs).
New from around the state
On the news
Related news stories
- Dan Small Outdoors, LLC - Podcast #1 with Marc Schultz & Podcast #2 with Marc
- Community members urge lawmakers to restore river funding | La Crosse News | wxow.com
- https://www.wizmnews.com/2025/08/04/group-speaks-out-against-federal-cuts-related-to-mississippi-river/
- https://www.news8000.com/news/local-news/la-crosse/environmental-advocates-push-for-funding-to-preserve-the-mississippi-river/article_623a3eed-d65d-4002-9ee5-f3c0d977a7a1.html
- https://www.weau.com/2025/08/04/sustain-our-river-group-looks-continue-preservation-mississippi/
- Photos -