Francesca Crego, or Frannie, fondly recalls bike rides along the Mississippi River’s edge with her family. Growing up in the city, Frannie appreciated the feeling of mysticality brought by the river’s presence. As she got older, she began to recognize the significance of this river, thinking, “I live a mile away from a river that connects the whole country, from top to bottom. Realizing that helped me become aware of how much water connects us all.”
In her teens, she found herself wanting to join in on the stewardship of these natural spaces. Frannie joined the Mississippi River Green Team, a youth work crew that takes care of parks throughout the city.
“One of the first things I learned was that rainwater runoff collects things in the streets and goes in the storm drain and then that goes right in the Mississippi River,” she said.
Her time on this team helped further her understanding of how our actions impact water quality. In her time with the Green Team, she had an opportunity to visit a water treatment facility. “That forever has changed how I view bodies of water,” she said. “I wasn't aware that the water I drank was from the Mississippi. There’s a huge value in taking that with you into other parts of your life-- you might be enjoying a beautiful beach and not know that that's a whole community's water supply.”
Years later, she finds herself in a leadership role with the Mississippi River Green Team. The group focuses on various ecological restoration projects including removal of invasive species with a special focus on clearing weeds from turtle nesting sites. Through this project, Frannie educates youth about the importance of water and native ecosystems for community health and well-being.
Learn more in the We Are Water MN exhibit
Frannie shared her story as a part of We Are Water MN, a traveling exhibit and community engagement initiative that explores Minnesotans’ relationship with water. Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District will host the exhibit from June 19 to Aug. 10.
The Mississippi River is a vibrant hub of recreation and culture in downtown Minneapolis. From scenic strolls along the iconic Stone Arch Bridge to waterfront activities that bring the river to life, the Mississippi River connects people in downtown Minneapolis to the city’s rich history and natural beauty. Located on the edge of downtown, Owámniyomni (St. Anthony Falls) is the only major waterfall in the Mississippi River. This place, where the river once cascaded over a 50-foot limestone cliff, is a culturally and historically significant place for Dakota people. The section of river between the falls in downtown and the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers is a national park – the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area – where visitors can find hiking trails and borrow a kayak to explore the scenic river gorge.
The Twin Cities section of the Mississippi River is home to over 400 wildlife species and is vital to the upper Mississippi River Valley. It hosts more than 100 types of freshwater fish, making it a great fishing spot and a key drinking water source for more than a million Minnesotans. The Mississippi River and its tributaries make up the Mississippi River Twin Cities Watershed. Visit the exhibit to hear local stories and learn more about the water in this region.
The exhibit will be on display at 809 Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis.
Events & Activities
- We Are Water Opening Reception | Friday, June 20, 3-5 p.m. | 809 Nicollet Mall
- Weaving Water Workshop | Saturday, June 21, 1-3 p.m. | 809 Nicollet Mall
- Water Bar at Twin Cities Pride Festival | Saturday, June 28, 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. | Loring Park
- Water Bar at Twin Cities Pride Festival | Sunday, June 29, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Loring Park
- We Are Water + Go Outside present: Movie Night: Screening of Surfs Up | Thursday, July 24, 7 p.m. | Target Field Station, 335 N 5th St
- Water Bar at Aquatennial Festival | Saturday, July 26, 4 p.m.- 9 p.m.
Find exhibit and event details on the Mpls Dowtown Council website.
About We Are Water MN
We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension.
The program is funded in part with money from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Fund — which was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008 — and by the National Endowment for the Humanities.