Follow along as a fictional researcher observes and makes journal entries about their field trip down the Mississippi River ecosystem. Outstanding photographs highlight the animals, plants, and people that inhabit one of the world's major river systems. Simple graphs show facts about the river, and the final report describes efforts being made to preserve it.

Mission to the Mississippi River -- Field journal days 1-13 : Lake Itasca, Minnesota -- Field journal days 14-15 : Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota -- Field journal days 16-17 : Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge -- Field journal days 18-19 : Dubuque to Davenport, Iowa -- Field journal days 20-22 : Missouri River towns to St. Louis -- Field journal days 23-25 : Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge -- Field journal days 26-27 : Kentucky Bend to north of Memphis, Tennessee -- Field journal days 28-29 : Arkansas Alluvial Plain and River Delta -- Field journal days 30-31 : Mississippi River to White River Mouth, Arkansas -- Field journal days 32-34 : Poverty Point, Natchez, Louisiana -- Field journal days 35-37 : New Orleans, Louisiana to the Gulf of Mexico -- Final report.