Climate change has an impact on extreme weather events that affect the Mississippi River Watershed comprising 31 states and two Canadian provinces. Communities, land, rivers, wildlife, and people are also affected by the results of climate change within this watershed.

We have observed both animals and plants that have formerly been considered species from further south extending their ranges northward.  We have observed more extreme weather events occuring worldwide, and even in our locale.

Sometimes climate change seems to be a hot political and sometimes even a religious issue that enters into converstions with museum & aquarium visitors and students.  So the more informed our museum education staff can become on this issue will better give them tools and information to be able to address this issue.