'Rebirth: The Mississippi's National Park' on TPT-MN!
In the '70s, from the deck of his boat The Turtle, St. Paul resident and community leader Tom Kelley fell in love with the Mississippi River. Looking beyond its polluted waters and industrial banks, Kelley saw both what it once had been and could be again: America's river and the thrumming heartbeat of the Twin Cities. He pulled friends and colleagues aboard The Turtle, sharing his favorite river stretches and passion, and slowly, steadily built a small community of supporters. These river visionaries worked locally, then nationally and across party lines. Despite long odds, their dedication paid off.
In 1988, Congress enacted by federal law the recognition and protection of the 72-mile Twin Cities stretch of the Mississippi River as a national park. More than a change in the river's legal status, the designation was a tipping point in the river's history, successfully turning the current of public opinion towards protecting and restoring the health and vitality of the Mighty Mississippi in the Twin Cities.
Learn the full story in "Rebirth: The Mississippi's National Park," Sunday, Sept. 4, 12:30 a.m., 6:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. on TPT-MN. Be sure to check the channel guide! Or watch now at FMR.org/rebirth or via the PBS Anywhere app.
More about the film
Produced for FMR by award-winning local filmmaker John Kaul and narrated by 89.3 The Current's Steve Seel, this 30-minute documentary tells the story of how one man’s vision — combined with smart citizen advocacy and effective political leadership — created the Mississippi River's first and only national park right here in the Twin Cities. This designation, championed at the federal level by Sen. David Durenberger and Rep. Bruce Vento, sparked the local river renaissance we enjoy today — a river that is thriving with fish and bald eagles, a river increasingly connected to our communities via parks and trails, a river seen as an asset instead of a convenient dumping ground.
As we face new challenges like agricultural pollution, development pressure and habitat degradation, this story also reminds us of the powerful, long-term impact citizen-based stewardship and advocacy can have on the natural wonders we love.
Need another date?
We'd be happy to email you about future screenings, DVDs or online viewing opportunities as they become available.
Friends of the Mississippi River is proud to be a part of the National Park Service Centennial celebration!
Thank you funders!
Major funding provided by:
The Bruce F. Vento Science Educator Scholarship Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation
The Katherine B. Andersen Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation
The Thomas J. Reiter & Sharon K. Miyamoto Charitable Trust
Additional funding provided by:
Ruth & John Huss
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, National Park Service
Friends of Bruce Vento
National Parks Conservation Association
Susan Vento
Wendy Bennett & Ken Powell
Rick Pool / Custom Sound & Video
Bill & Judy Walter
Nancy Jacobson & Brad Bruette
Mississippi Park Connection