Missouri River Watershed School Festival

Held each year in early May in Yankton, SD, the Missouri River Watershed School Festival is an annual environmental education festival that serves 400-500 middle and high school students from South Dakota and Nebraska.

The festival features 20 hands-on learning presentations, with students rotating through 7 of these interactive presentations in small groups led by volunteers. Topics include river ecology, wildlife, history, responsible river recreation, and natural resource conservation—all of which are designed to deepen students’ understanding and connection to the Missouri River Watershed.

For more than 15 years, the festival has provided meaningful, memorable learning experiences and remains a favorite among students, teachers, volunteers, and school administrators alike.

“The festival is a great event for area schools, teachers and students and it’s eagerly anticipated every year. Having the festival on the bank of the Missouri River in Yankton provides a wonderful “outdoor classroom”. The festival helps kids learn how they can help conserve our natural resources and enjoy living near the river.”

Paul LepistoFounding Co-Organizer of the Missouri River Watershed School Festival

I’ve been involved and supported the festival since its beginning some 16 years ago as a science teacher and now a volunteer. As a teacher students would often ask me, “Why are we studying this lesson?” or “Is this lesson really important for me and my future?”

Each year, upon returning with my students from the festival, they never ask that question again! They understood and “Got It!” They learned while meeting and having fun with kids from other schools. They even learned while kissing a fish, scrubbing a boat for zebra mussels or discovering the benefits of no-till farms and gardens. Their day was immersed in biological, agricultural, cultural and historical lessons and experiences; all emphasizing the value and need for sustaining life on the Missouri River and its watershed communities.

However, most importantly:
What will be their role in sustaining life on the Missouri for future generations!

Marcia OlnesRetired Educator; Sacred Heart Catholic School, Yankton, South Dakota

Since 2024, the event has been planned and led by park rangers from the Missouri National Recreational River. Friends of the Missouri National Recreational River supports the event through fundraising, volunteer recruitment and coordination, and overall event support.

If you are interested in getting involved with this event as a school attendee, presenter, volunteer, sponsor, etc., please reach out to us at info@fomnrr.org.

Missouri River Watershed School Festival

Missouri River Watershed School Festival

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