Missouri River Relief: 25 Years on the Big Muddy

About this event

Presentation by Steve Schnarr

Tuesday, November 10th at 7PM

• 7 pm presentation (6 pm Social Hour)

• Riechmann Indoor Pavilion in Stephens Lake Park – 2300 E Walnut St, Columbia, MO 652011

• Watch virtually on Zoom or YouTube

Hosted by Missouri River Relief

It's been 25 years since a group of dedicated mid-Missourians planned and executed a large-scale river clean up in Easley, Missouri in October 2001.

Since then, a lot has happened: hundreds of cleanups, tens of thousands of volunteers, and over two million pounds of trash have been removed from the Missouri River and its watershed. Education programs bloomed right alongside cleanups, then took on a life of their own--now having served over 40,000 students and teachers. More recently, recreation joined the party with the world-famous MR340 paddling race and Race to the Dome, and a Catfishing Gear Library that serves hundreds of curious anglers each year.

The cleanups, field trips, and races all became vehicles for one crucial mission: connect people. To the river, to the people who live along it, to the species that call it home.

Along the way, this crew of volunteers and staff (sometimes lovingly referred to as "those river rats") have faced plenty of challenges alongside shining moments of success. They've faced questions together like: How do you keep the heart of an organization beating for 25 years without losing what made it special to begin with? How do you sustain a community with a united purpose?

While there's been SO many who've built this organization over the years, Missouri River Relief considers itself lucky to have someone who's dedicated 20 years of his personal and professional life to this mission. None other than our very own Steve Schnarr will take us on this river journey: 25 years on the Big Muddy.