Upper Mississippi River Program

Improving bird habitat, water quality, and natural systems throughout the Mississippi River floodplain in southeast Minnesota

Photo: Ted Bobosh

The Mississippi River is the backbone of the Mississippi Flyway which serves as a major aerial highway for 60% of North America's birds. An incredibly diverse ecosystem lines the Mississippi River, including wetlands, marshes, sloughs, channels, bottomland forest, and prairies. However, those systems have been altered by agriculture, locks and dams, and levees. Today, much of the Mississippi is a narrow window of habitat in a predominant sea of agriculture. In some areas, up to 80% of the original forests have been lost. For Audubon scientists, the threat to birds along the River from past and future impacts is clear and urgent. 

With your help, we aim to maintain bottomland forests, restore islands and depth diversity, and re-establish more natural water levels. These efforts will help bird species like Wood Ducks, Cerulean Warblers, Prothonotary Warblers, Louisiana Waterthrush, and many others. 

We are currently identifying large tracts of existing forest and overlapping Important Bird Areas. We are working with partners to determine priority sites to restore within those IBAs. We expect the restored habitat will become critical refuges for birds. 

Restoring Floodplain Forests
Upper Mississippi River Program

Restoring Floodplain Forests

Floodplain forests are unique habitats found along river and stream corridors that contain a diversity of plants that can survive repeated and extensive flooding.

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Restoring River Habitat through Drawdowns
Upper Mississippi River Program

Restoring River Habitat through Drawdowns

By changing the way dams are operated, we can mimic natural water levels on the Upper Mississippi River.

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Improving Lake Pepin Habitat
Upper Mississippi River Program

Improving Lake Pepin Habitat

The lake can be managed to maximize bird, fish, and wildlife habitat.

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Wood Duck

Latin:  Aix sponsa

Illustration for Wood Duck

Prothonotary Warbler

Latin:  Protonotaria citrea

Illustration for Prothonotary Warbler

Cerulean Warbler

Latin:  Setophaga cerulea

Illustration for Cerulean Warbler

Common Merganser

Latin:  Mergus merganser

Illustration for Common Merganser

News & Updates

Audubon Takes Minnesota and Wisconsin Policy Makers on Tour of Upper Mississippi
Water For Birds And People

Audubon Takes Minnesota and Wisconsin Policy Makers on Tour of Upper Mississippi

Remaining river floodplain forests provide biodiversity, flood mitigation.

New Report Highlights Need for Restoration and Resilience Along Upper Mississippi River
Water For Birds And People

New Report Highlights Need for Restoration and Resilience Along Upper Mississippi River

Data gathered over the last 25 years shows increased flooding and loss of floodplain forests that serve as important bird habitat and protection for local communities.

New Audubon Science: Two-Thirds of North American Birds at Risk of Extinction Due to Climate Change
News

New Audubon report details effects of climate change

— Learn how climate change will impact your birds and your community and what you can do to help.
Austin celebrates Bird City Minnesota designation
Upper Mississippi River Program

Austin celebrates Bird City Minnesota designation

— Austin recognized as a Bird City during the Intl. Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, Oct. 5
US House Overwhelmingly Approves Permanent Reauthorization of Major Conservation Program
Upper Mississippi River Program

Major Conservation Program Permanently Reauthorized

— If you have ever enjoyed a public park or natural area, you likely have the Land and Water Conservation Fund to thank.

How you can help, right now