Janet Moreland

In December of 2012 I graduated from the University of Missouri, in my mid-fifties, with a degree in education. The following April, 2013, I began a 7 1/2-month, 3,800-mile source-to-sea solo paddle down the Missouri-Mississippi River System, the world's fourth longest river system. I am the first American and the first woman to accomplish this journey.

I love the outdoors and especially our continent's rivers so I am attempting to solo paddle North America's three longest rivers: The Missouri (2013), the Mississippi (2016), and the Yukon (2017) Rivers.

My mission on the Missouri River involved empowerment, education, and the environment. The Mississippi River will be an endurance adventure for me as I attempt to complete the 2300 miles during my summer break between school years.

While paddling the Yukon River I hope to increase awareness of the indigenous Gwich'in Nation's mission to obtain permanent protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge's Coastal Plains. The protection of this area from oil and gas drilling will maintain the delicate ecosystem of the centuries old Porcupine Caribou birthing and nursing habitat and, in doing so, preserve the heritage of the Gwich'in people.

I will be posting my adventures on my blog and on my expedition Facebook page. Please follow along and experience the historical, social, and ecological wonders of our nation's most prominent rivers.