Thursday, September 16, 2021
6:00 pm EST
$5.00/Members (of any of the Four Participating Museums)
$10.00/Public
Part of the The Rivers That Connect Us: Exploring America’s Great Rivers Series
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Centuries of River Culture, Commerce and Conservation
Presented by: Jennifer Drayna, Curator of Education at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in Dubuque, IA
From the fur trade to the button industry to modern barges, we will discuss how the river was used by early settlers and compare it to the industries of today.
The Mississippi River has been at the center of culture and commerce in the Midwest for centuries. From the fur trade to the button industry to modern barges, we will discuss how the river was used by early settlers and compare it to the industries of today. We will then look at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium’s freshwater mussel conservation efforts – these critically endangered animals play a key role in healthy rivers for people and wildlife.
Jennifer grew up in Wisconsin and has always enjoyed being in nature – especially near the water. She has been an environmental educator for more than 12 years and began working at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in 2017. Some of Jennifer’s favorite programs to teach involve live animal ambassadors because they provide an up-close, memorable connection between the subject matter and program participants. In her spare time, she loves traveling, coaches a local swim team, and volunteers with several regional raptor conservation groups.
Photo Courtesy of National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
