ST. PAUL, Minn. – On Friday, Aug. 26, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service by joining U.S. Congresswoman Betty McCollum, U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, Outdoor Afro Founder Rue Mapp and local officials on a tour of Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a 72-mile river park in the heart of an urban setting. The visit will highlight the important economic benefits that national parks bring to local communities and the need to engage the next generation of outdoor stewards.
Secretary Jewell will paddle the Mississippi River on voyageur canoes from Wilderness Inquiry with local youth from Outdoor Afro, a nonprofit that celebrates and inspires African-American connections and leadership in nature. The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area allows Twin Cities area residents and visitors to explore nature close to a bustling metropolitan setting by hiking, biking, fishing, boating and more. The park also provides important opportunities for local schoolchildren to get outdoors and be active close to home.
As part of the visit, Secretary Jewell will engage in a live dialogue with NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station from the Science Museum of Minnesota about their unique perspective of America’s national parks. Since his arrival at the International Space Station in March, American astronaut Jeff Williams, whose father was a National Park Service ranger, has shared incredible photos and videos of national parks from space. Jewell will also tour the new Mississippi National River and Recreation Visitor Center at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Event #1 – Paddling the Mississippi River
Who:
Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Betty McCollum, U.S. Congresswoman
Keith Ellison, U.S. Congressman
Chris Coleman, Mayor of St. Paul
Rue Mapp, Founder of Outdoor Afro
Youth from Outdoor Afro
What:
Tour of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
When:
Friday, Aug. 26, 2016
9:15 a.m. CDT – Media check-in
9:30 a.m. CDT – Canoe tour followed by a brief media availability
Where:
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
Hidden Falls Regional Park
Media:
Due to limited seats on boats, credential members of the media are encouraged to RSVP here no later than 7:30 a.m. on Friday, August 26.
Event #2 – Live Discussion with NASA Astronauts Aboard the ISS
Who:
Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Jeff N. Williams, NASA Astronaut
Kate Rubins, NASA Astronaut
Betty McCollum, U.S. Congresswoman
Keith Ellison, U.S. Congressman
Chris Coleman, Mayor of St. Paul
Rue Mapp, Founder of Outdoor Afro
Youth from Outdoor Afro
What:
Live broadcast with NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station
When:
Friday, Aug. 26, 2016
12:00 p.m. CDT – Media check-in
12:25 p.m. CDT – Live downlink begins
12:45 p.m. CDT – Live downlink ends
Where:
Science Museum of Minnesota
120 W Kellogg Blvd
St Paul, MN 55102
(meet in the lobby to be escorted to the Argon Room)
Media:
Credentialed members of the media are encouraged to RSVP here.
Source: Department of Interior
