Habitat for fish and wildlife and numbers of native species in and along the Missouri River have declined due to a number of factors, including the introduction of nonnative fish species, channel training for navigation purposes, and damming and flow regulation for flood control and water supply.  In addition, land use changes and population growth have indirectly impacted the river system.  The Nebraska City Citizens and Science Group is a partnership among stakeholders facilitated by the Meridian Institute.  The group was initiated cooperatively  by the DeSoto Group  and researchers in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resoruces (SNR). 

Agricultural product companies, Citizens, Environmental NGOs, Farmers, Local governments including Nebraska Natural Resources Districts, Navigation, Recreational users, State natural resources and game and fish agencies,  University of Nebraska-Lincoln, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil and Water Conservation Districts, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey.  Funding for this effort comes from EPA Region 7.