Missouri River Relief

Connecting People to the Missouri River Since 2001

Missouri River Relief believes everyone should have the opportunity to experience the Missouri River in person.

Missouri River Relief’s mission is to safely engage individuals and communities along the Missouri River in the exploration, enjoyment, restoration, and care of the river through hands-on river cleanups, education programs, and recreation.

For 24 years, we have been building these connections along the Missouri River, from Omaha to St. Louis, supporting communities in breaking down barriers and replacing fear and division with respect and understanding.

A Legacy of Impact Rooted in Direct Experience 

More than 33,000 volunteers have joined us on the river since 2001, removing more than two million pounds of trash and restoring miles of riverbank in Missouri. Moments of stewardship—cold hands, muddy boots, full boats, tired smiles—are where curiosity blossoms into dedicated commitment.

Our education team has collaborated with over 40,000 students and teachers, inspiring children to develop confidence and curiosity as they explore the Missouri River. For thousands of Missourians, their first meaningful encounter with the Missouri happened at one of our events, whether on a boat deck or holding a piece of river-worn driftwood for the first time.

Since 2018, over 7,000 fourth graders have participated in Missouri River Days, a field trip that has introduced a whole generation of young people to the river in their own community. These place-based education experiences are already making a clear difference in how our community perceives the river that flows through it.

Every summer, the MR340, the world's longest non-stop river race, draws hundreds of paddlers from across the nation (and around the world) to experience the river’s full breadth in a four-day endurance challenge that celebrated its 20th year in 2025. The MR340 offers participants an up-close and personal view of the river that most people never get to experience.

Why It Matters 

The river changes us. When people experience the Missouri River directly, without filters or fear, something inside them shifts. They start to see the river as a shared resource rather than a dividing line. They recognize its power, its history, and its role in shaping our communities.

That transformation is at the core of all we do. When people feel a genuine connection to a place, they naturally become caretakers.

Support from People Like You Makes These Moments Possible

A gift during COMO Gives will help us keep creating safe, accessible, and meaningful experiences on the Missouri River for Missourians and beyond. Your gift will support everything from purchasing lifejackets and classroom materials to fueling boats, developing curricula, and training the crew who guide people safely on and off the water.

It will also support programs that answer the questions we hear from people on every riverbank in Missouri:

• What forces have shaped the Missouri River into what we see today?

• Where does all this trash come from, and where does it go?

• What makes this ancient fish endangered?

• Who lived along this river long before us?

Our Big Muddy Speaker Series brings scientists, storytellers, river experts, and more to Columbia each month, diving into these and other questions with our community and helping people not just learn about the Missouri River but understand it. 

Every gift brings more people to the water’s edge and creates moments that change how we see and care for the river. Together, we can continue building a future where the Missouri River is known, respected, and loved by the communities that call it home.

Learn more about our mission, programs, and impact at www.riverrelief.org