Equity, Inclusion and Cultural Relevance
Deepening Our Commitment to Connecting People to the Missouri River
At Missouri River Relief, we believe the Missouri River is for everyone—and that its future depends on all of us. Every person should feel welcomed, represented, and empowered to connect with the river, no matter their background or story.
Our Equity, Inclusion, and Cultural Relevancy (ERIC) Implementation Plan is our way of putting that belief into action. It’s a working, living plan grounded in real-world steps that break down barriers, build trust, and reflect the beautiful diversity of the people and communities we serve. Like the river, it’s always moving—adapting, evolving, and shaped by those it touches.
Why This Plan Matters
We know that for too long, many communities have faced deep-rooted barriers to accessing outdoor spaces, whether it’s environmental injustice, economic inequality, or simply not feeling safe or seen. That’s not the kind of river community we want to be.
This plan is our promise to do better. To listen more. To partner with purpose. And to create programs and spaces where everyone feels they belong, where their voices matter, and their stories are part of the river’s story too.
Key Areas of Focus
Goal: Create administrative processes to improve internal diversity and inclusion.
Goal: Provide educational opportunities on racial and social justice to increase the knowledge and competence of Missouri River Relief.
Goal: Develop an inclusive model for connecting communities and strengthen program collaborations.
Goal: Promote meaningful connections between individuals and communities in a manner that is consistent with cultural context and values.
The Implementation Grid
The grid is organized into five parts:
- Areas of Focus – the key categories guiding our work.
- Goals – the outcomes we’re working toward in each area.
- Strategies – the big-picture approaches we’ll take to meet those goals.
- Action Items – the real, on-the-ground steps we’ll carry out.
- Leads – the people or teams responsible for making it happen and keeping us on track.
This tool isn’t set in stone, it’s built to grow with us. As we listen, learn, and evolve, the grid will adapt too, always keeping us rooted in purpose and moving toward a more inclusive river community.
Our Progress and Updates
Financial Accessibility
We believe everyone should have the opportunity to connect with the river, regardless of financial means. That’s why we are committed to making our public programs free or as affordable as possible. We actively seek funding and partnerships to remove cost barriers and expand access for all.
Child Carrier Lending Program
Outdoor experiences build health, wellbeing, and lasting memories for families. But access to gear especially for young children can be expensive. That’s why we teamed up with First Chance for Children to offer five free hiking child carriers through their lending program. Families can borrow carriers to make their outdoor adventures more accessible and enjoyable.
River Education Fund
We are dedicated to making our education programs more equitable and accessible for all schools. Each year, we fundraise to reduce program costs and provide financial assistance through our River Education Fund. This fund supports schools and students who face systemic or financial barriers to participation. On average, we provide financial support to 95% of schools attending our education programs.
Catfishing Gear Library
Launched to promote family bonding and river recreation, our Catfishing Gear Library lends out free fishing equipment and lessons to individuals and families who may not otherwise have access to gear. By removing cost barriers, the program opens the door for more people to experience the joy of fishing and the healing power of time spent in nature.
Summer Camp Financial Aid
We are proud to offer financial aid for our Missouri River Adventure Camp to ensure that all children, regardless of income, can participate in an unforgettable week of exploration, science, and river fun. Through community support and grant funding, we’re able to provide full financial aid and outdoor gear needed to families who need it.
Meaningful Partnerships
We believe lasting change happens through collaboration. Our partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and community organizations expand access to the river, amplify diverse voices, and create opportunities for hands-on learning and stewardship. Whether it’s through ongoing relationships or new initiatives, these partnerships are the backbone of our mission to build a more connected and inclusive river community.
Stewardship on the River with Job Point
Our collaboration with Job Point, a workforce development organization, brings YouthBuild participants to the river for a day of stewardship and learning. This program introduces young adults to conservation careers while challenging stereotypes about who belongs in outdoor spaces.
River Learning with Douglass High School
Our longest-standing education partnership is with Douglass High School, an alternative high school in Columbia. Together, we’ve created meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that connect students to the river and each other. From boat-based science investigations to river cleanups, these programs empower students to explore, reflect, and engage in stewardship in ways that support their growth both in and out of the classroom.
Healing on the River with the VA Hospital
In partnership with the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, we engage participants from the Substance Abuse Unit in river-based outings that support recovery, reconnection, and wellbeing. These experiences offer a powerful opportunity for reflection, healing, and community through time spent in nature, catfishing, and meaningful conversations on the water.
Deepening Our Understanding
We know that building a more inclusive river community starts with looking inward. Through ongoing trainings and workshops, we’re equipping our team with the tools and perspectives needed to create welcoming, affirming, and culturally relevant experiences for all.
Why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Is Vital to Conservation Goals
In March 2024, we hosted our first in-person training with renowned facilitator Parker McMullen Bushman. Titled "Why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Is Vital to Conservation Goals," this session examined the history of inclusion in public lands and explored the meaning and application of DEIJ (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice) in the environmental field. Participants gained tools for integrating DEIJ principles into their work and creating welcoming spaces where all people can become environmental stewards of our land, water, and wildlife.
Creating a Multicultural Organization
In December 2024, we hosted a virtual training with Parker McMullen Bushman for our staff and board titled “Creating a Multicultural Organization.” This session focused on how to build an internal culture that actively supports equity, cultural awareness, and inclusivity across all levels of our work.
LGBTQ+ Allyship 101: Navigating Beyond Boundaries
In March 2025, we continued our learning journey with LGBTQ+ Allyship 101: Navigating Beyond Boundaries, a virtual training led by Parker McMullen Bushman. This workshop provided a comprehensive understanding of LGBTQ+ identities and experiences, the historical context of LGBTQ+ rights movements, and practical tools for allyship. Our team explored terminology, pronouns, intersectionality, and actionable strategies to create inclusive and welcoming environments in both professional and community spaces.
Building an Equity Statement
In March 2026, we started the process of creating an institutional equity statement with Parker McMullen Bushman. This is a shared commitment that helps ensure everyone at MRR understands our values around equity, and that the work happening across our teams and programs aligns with those values. Building this statement is a multi-part process: reflecting on the values it should reflect, outlining its core tenets, and mapping out a plan of action, so the statement isn't just words, but a living guide for how we keep growing.
How You Can Support
Creating a more inclusive and welcoming river community isn’t something we can do alone. It takes all of us: staff, volunteers, partners, and neighbors pulling together, learning together, and showing up for each other.
Here’s how you can be part of this work:
- Partner with Us – Do you represent an organization that shares our values? Let’s connect. We’re always looking for collaborators who want to make a difference together.
- Donate – Your support helps fuel this work—from equity trainings to inclusive programming to deeper community engagement. Every dollar is a step toward a more equitable future.
- Stay Involved – Show up, speak up, and spread the word. Join us at a cleanup, attend a program, or simply follow our journey and share our mission with your community.
Have an idea or want to get involved? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you: riverrelief@riverrelief.org
Land Acknowledgement
Our land acknowledgment is only the beginning of our practice to increase the visibility of native stories and knowledge in our programs and the mindfulness that we live and work on indigenous land.
As an organization, Missouri River Relief acknowledges that the land and river we gather at today is the ancestral and sacred land and river of the Missouria and Osage People, who stewarded this land and river for generations.
In their own languages, the Missouria and the Osage called themselves the Niutachi, meaning the People of the River’s Mouth, and the Ni-u-kon-ska meaning People of the Middle Waters.
Both tribes’ more well-known names were given by European settlers. The name Missouria, meaning “People of the Big Canoe”, was given because the Niutachi people were often seen navigating hardy 20-50 foot dugout wood canoes, on the Pekitanoui, or “Big Muddy” river they lived along. The state of Missouri and the Missouri River were eventually named to pay homage to the Missouria People.
The name "Osage" comes from the early French traders. It was the French version of the Osage word "Wa-zha-zhe", which means "Children of the Middle Waters." It is a French derivative of the tribe’s name. We acknowledge the painful history of genocide and forced removal from this territory, and we recognize that these lands and this river are a part of the Missouria and Osage People; they continue to carry the stories of both nations and their struggle for survival and identity.