“I grew up along the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, I always expected that the entirety of the river looked something like it did in my backyard. But I was very wrong. The beauty and unique ecosystem we are blessed with up north diminishes below Davenport and Rock Island. A system of continuous levees have turned a magnificent ecosystem into an industrial shipping corridor, all with little regard for Mother Nature. Even with its many ecological issues, the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge remains a paradise compared to the river below.

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When I set out to tell this story, I didn’t realize it was a classic great American story. The overcoming of emotional loss, the challenge of reversing the political and economic juggernaut that was taking over our wetlands, the rallying of the sportsmen across the country, the speedy alliance he made with the American women, and the successful passage of legislation that everyone said could not be passed.” - Steven Marking