Aspiring conservation photographer Joe Riis’ childhood years were filled with experiences exploring the wilds of the Great Plains along the breaks of the Missouri River in Pierre, SD. Born in 1984, he was heavily influenced by his parents who provided the framework for a future in environmental conservation. With backgrounds in Wildlife Biology and Environment & Natural Resources, Riis plans to focus on photography of the Great Plains, a region that is highly endangered and in need of protection. 

Riis is currently working on a photographic project encompassing the Missouri River region. With a network of people and organizations, Riis hopes to develop a media campaign to raise awareness of the conservation needs of this often overlooked region. The conservation photography project titled Missouri River EXPOSED focuses on the Missouri River as well as the highly endangered pallid sturgeon, least tern, and piping plover.

The Missouri River (longest river in the U.S.) changes greatly from the headwaters to the mouth. The river turns from a mountain river in Montana to a commercial navigation channel in Iowa. Management of the river has put the pallid sturgeon, least tern, and piping plover on the federal endangered and threatened species list.

Water storage in the Missouri River main stem reservoirs is at an all time low because of the large amounts of water (much more than is needed to meet municipal and industrial water supply needs) released to support commercial navigation in the lower river. Riis believes, “It is one thing to trade the incredible natural resources of the Missouri River for a viable human use that provides broad economic benefits to all citizens of the basin, but commercial navigation has never lived up to its billing, continues to decline, and provides little in the way of important economic benefits.”

According to Riis, the Corps of Engineers has managed the river primarily for navigation for over 50 years at the expense of fish and wildlife, recreation, and other purposes. He believes the time is ripe for change.

Says Riis, “Very little public outreach is being conducted on this issue.  The Missouri River is highly under-photographed because of the time and knowledge involved in order to get quality images.  Many people that live in lower basin do not know that the river supports a plethora of fish and wildlife in the North, and that managing the river primarily for commercial navigation is diminishing those resources.”

Missouri River EXPOSED is a conservation photography project that showcases the beauty of the river as well as the environmental threats it faces.  Joe Riis is trying to evoke change in the public’s eye through photography publications, presentations, and public exhibits.

Prints for this project were produced through Fine Print’s Art for Conservation program, supporting individuals and organizations using photography to protect and conserve the natural world through grassroots action and public education.

For more information on Missouri River EXPOSED visit
www.joeriis.com
US Department of the Interior