Meeting the Education Director at the National Mississippi R

[Mark D Wagner]

Hello, I am the Education Director at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium located in Dubuque, Iowa. I met Robert today and we had a good conversation in my office. He made several bird observations on his trip near Dubuque, that he wanted information on. I was able to help him identify the birds he had observed. One was the American Coot that has a hard time taking off the water and has to run along the water as it flaps its wings.

I wish him luck with his journey and wish I could be with him on travelling the length of the river by canoe. My wife grew up on the Mississippi River near Grand Rapids, Minnesota and I have met other people travelling down the Mississippi in her parent's back yard. I grew up not far from the Mississippi River near Dubuque.

Robert Youens was enjoying his visit to our museum & aquarium and had found some great exhibits, books, and live animals to see. This museum & aquarium tells the story of the entire river from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico, and we are a Smithsonian affiliate and a Coastal America Learning Center. Everyone is invited to visit and learn more about the Mississippi River.

Best of Luck Robert!

Mark D. Wagner
Education Director
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium