Working to protect the Mississippi River and its watershed in the Twin Cities area

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Paddle the Mississippi River Gorge at the peak of fall colors

Join us on Saturday, October 11th, for this FMR-guided trip during which paddlers travel six miles through the only true gorge on the Mississippi River and experience an urban wilderness at the peak of fall foliage colors. Along the way, FMR staff and the National Park Service rangers will provide interpretation of the history, ecology and management of the river.

The paddle begins at East River Flats, near the University of Minnesota Minneapolis East Bank campus, passes through the Ford lock, and ends at Hidden Falls Regional Park in St. Paul.

See the event listing for more information on our annual Gorge Fall Colors Paddle. Remember to register early if you'll be renting a canoe.









Mississippi River News

As new I-35W bridge opens, other Mississippi River bridge projects designed

The new I-35W bridge over the Mississippi River is one of five spans in the metro area that are the focus of efforts for redesign and replacement. Read more…

Saint Paul's small island oasis sees big turn-around

A new, greener and more enjoyable Raspberry Island in Saint Paul is now available for all to enjoy. Read more…

Welcome to our fall intern, Alyssa Neeb

FMR extends a warm welcome to Alyssa, who will assist us with our stewardship programs this fall. Read more…

Stormwater ponds: yesterday's solution to pollution?

A generation after they were installed, Twin Cities stormwater ponds are increasingly a problem as much as a solution, capturing toxic contaminants and sediments that need dredging. Read more…

Voters becoming acquainted with proposed legacy amendment

Less than two months from now, Minnesota voters will cast ballots on whether to restore and protect the state's waters through 25 years of earmarked funding provided by a state constitutional amendment. Many voters aren't yet aware of the proposal. Read more…

FMR urges Saint Paul Park officials to plan for land protection

The city of Saint Paul Park has an historic opportunity to protect outstanding Mississippi River habitat in its comprehensive plan, FMR's Tom Lewanski testified at a recent public hearing. Read more…

History, nature intersect as St. Paul rediscovers an urban oasis

An advocacy group's recent successes show the way to a renewed vision for St. Paul's Lilydale Park. Read more…

Great Mississippi River Wine & Dine Rendezvous

Enjoy exceptional food and wine on the banks of the Mississippi at this event benefiting FMR. Read more…

Help protect the Mississippi River corridor in St. Paul Park

Weigh in on the city's 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update! Read more…

Thanks to the generous souls who made the Challenge possible!

Thanks to the generous souls who made the Challenge possible! About 150 of you deserve great thanks for contributing time and toil to this year's successful event. Read more…

August — Dobsonfly

Learn about the dobsonfly, a (somewhat distant) relative of the antlion. Dobsonflies spend most of their life in the larval form and are very predaceous. Read more…

Weigh in on Saint Paul Park's comp plan

As communities update river corridor plans, Saint Paul Park is charged with planning for approximately 300 acres of undeveloped critical area land that surrounds a quiet backwater bay on the Mississippi River. Read more…

FMR key to Highland Park Ford redevelopment planning

We’re playing an important role in two areas of planning for the future of this key riverfront resource. Read more…

Rice Creek open for paddling and FMR leads a tour

FMR’s Special Places Tour in the Rice Creek Watershed included the newly opened reach of the Rice Creek through the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition parcel. The event was a big hit with participants and was featured in the Star Tribune. Read more…

Wade into your watershed

If you’re looking for a rare, in-depth experience contributing to the health of your watershed, without having to earn your master’s degree, this is the perfect opportunity. Read more…

July — Leadplant

A striking July-blooming plant on the prairie is leadplant (Amorpha canescens), one of the few native shrubs found there. Read more…

Legacy Amendment would help clean up impaired waters

A new list of Minnesota’s polluted waters underscores the need for clean water investments proposed in a constitutional amendment on the state’s November 4 ballot. Read more…

Welcome to new intern Emily Johnson

A recent graduate of Saint Anthony Village High School, Emily is assisting with outreach and coordination for volunteer and stewardship events throughout the summer. Read more…

EPA approves changes to state water quality standards

The new standards, when achieved, will make our waters cleaner for recreation and other uses. Read more…

Vermillion River Watershed clean-up - Hastings

Saturday, September 20, 2008 — 9:00 am-12:00 pm

Volunteer in your community to help clean up the parkland along the Vermillion River as part of an organized watershed-wide Vermillion River clean up at three sites throughout the watershed. Volunteers are needed to help pick up litter along the Vermillion River during the low water levels of autumn, helping to beautify this trophy trout stream. Read more…

Sandee Blanchard and Dan Smith

[Photo: Sandee Blanchard and Dan Smith]

Featured Volunteers — July 2008

Sandee and Dan are lured to water — and they’re also terrific volunteers for FMR’s signature water event.

 

  Read more…

Sand Coulee Stewards

If you love prairies and are looking to make a difference in their health and vitality, but have a difficult time coordinating events with your schedule, this opportunity may be a perfect fit. Read more…

FMR, Park Service reach out to river corridor communities

FMR and National Park Service staff conducted workshops last month in Ramsey, Brooklyn Park, Cottage Grove and Hastings to educate community leaders about tools and resources available to help realize local, state and national goals for the Mississippi River Corridor. Read more…

Ecologists fear floodwaters will dramatically increase “dead zone” in Gulf of Mexico

Recent heavy rains and flooding in the Upper Mississippi River Basin are expected to expand the region of the Gulf of Mexico starved for oxygen. Read more…

Weigh in on the Lilydale Regional Park Master Plan

The City of Saint Paul is amending the Lilydale Park Master Plan and is seeking comments from their advisory group and members of the public. Read more…

Farewell to Longtime FMR Staffer Gabe Ormsby

FMR webmaster/IT Geek is hanging up his paddle and picking up…is that a gopher? Read more…

It’s FMR’s 15th anniversary!

We’re now 15 years old, and one way we want to celebrate FMR’s anniversary is by asking you to submit a favorite FMR story. Read more…

River geo-trashing gets notice on local TV news

A local volunteer impatient with the use of the Mississippi River as a dumping ground has an ingenious new way to facilitate cleanup of ugly trash and debris. Read more…

Green Routes

This exciting resource can help you plan a memorable green tourism experience. Check it out! Read more…

Our under-the-radar National Park — Star Tribune editorial

The 14 June 2008 Star Tribune featured an editorial on the Twin Cities’ own national park — The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area — which for all of its charms has managed to escape the notice of many locals. Read more…

Roger Roffler Memorial Fund honors life of river caring

A new FMR fund honors the steady commitment Roger Roffler made to the beauty and enjoyment of the Mississippi River. Read more…

Mississippi River toxic chemical probe widens

Four states are joining Minnesota in testing for toxic PFCs in the Mississippi River. The compounds’ presence in well water has caused widespread concern about drinking water quality and health implications in the Twin Cities metro. Read more…

Tainted dirt from ballpark site dumped in Minnesota River floodplain

Waste Management Inc. and government agencies are trying to reach agreement on what to do about 30,000 cubic yards of contaminated dirt from the Minneapolis ballpark site that the company improperly deposited beside the Minnesota River last summer. A fix could cost $1 million or more. Read more…

Plan your spring 2009 stenciling outing!

FMR is looking for classrooms or community groups in Saint Paul to participate in our Storm Drain Stenciling Project. Complete kits are available free of charge from us, and a representative will meet with your group to explain the threat of non-point source pollution and the purpose of the project. Read more… Read more…