Mississippi River Headwaters

In the 400 miles below its origin at Lake Itasca, the Mississippi River provides habitat for fish and other wildlife, hosts annual waves of migratory waterfowl, and is a favorite destination for hunting, fishing, birding, boating, and hiking. Much of the land along this stretch of the river is privately owned and subject to development or conversion to agriculture. In partnership with the Mississippi Headwaters Board and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, the Trust for Public Land is working with landowners and communities to protect and preserve sensitive shoreline throughout the headwaters region, including around reservoirs and tributaries, helping to preserve high-quality habitat and recreation areas in the headwaters of our nation’s largest river. Recently protected lands in this geography include Crow Wing State Forest South Addition and Indian Jack Lake WMA. The Mississippi Headwaters is a subprogram of the Minnesota’s Rivers program.