Steven Marking to Bring to Life the Inspiring True Story of Will Dilg

Baritone, riverlorian (river historian), photographer, and filmmaker Steven Marking will bring to life the inspiring true story of Will Dilg and showcase a beloved river with A Visit From Will Dilg and Songs From Our Mighty Mississippi from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday, February 28, 2025, in Babka Theatre, Heritage Center, University of Dubuque.

The special performance is sponsored by the Dubuque Audubon Society, Dubuque County Conservation Society, and Friends of Dubuque County Conservation Board.

In A Visit From Will Dilg, Marking will play environmental leader Dilg in a multi-media show, sharing the story of the grassroots activism that led to the protection of America's first Fish and Wildlife Refuge. A civic engagement success story, the performance will showcase the transformation that can happen when people work together for conservation and environmental protection for future generations. The 50-minute multimedia performance will be followed by an interactive discussion by Marking. After a 15-minute intermission, Marking will share songs and stories from another of his creations, Our Mighty Mississippi - From the Headwaters to the Gulf of Mexico.

A century ago, Dilg was the driving force behind the nation's first successful largescale grassroots environmental movement. After his only son drowned in the Mississippi River, Dilg rose up from the depths of depression and mourning to lead an extraordinary national crusade to form the Izaak Walton League and save a 261 mile stretch of Mississippi River backwaters now known as the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. While his life was cut short, his accomplishments are still legendary, and audience members will benefit by hearing from him a century after this monumental achievement via a script Marking created that relies heavily on Dilg's own published words.

Marking was born and raised on the backwaters of the Upper Mississippi River. He is a consummate videographer and photographer as well as a guest speaker and resident entertainer for American Cruise Lines as they travel the Mississippi, Ohio, and Cumberland rivers. He is a member of and/or contributor to the Mississippi River Network, the Izaak Walton League of America, the Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the Brice Prairie Conservation Association, Friends of the Mississippi River, Friends of Pool 7 and 8, Friends of Pool 9, and One Mississippi. His photos are often published in Big River and Outdoor Magazine. Marking has also recorded multiple CDs.

Tickets are $25 plus fees. Stop by the Farber Box Office, Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett Street; call 563.585.7469; or visit www.dbq.edu/HeritageCenter to purchase tickets. The box office will be closed for the holidays Monday, December 23, 2024, through Friday, January 3, 2025. Regular box office hours of 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 90 minutes prior to events will resume Monday, January 6, 2025.

Patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets online for reduced ticket handling fees.

A Visit From Will Dilg and Songs From Our Mighty Mississippi is a bonus event hosted by a third party at Heritage Center.