restoration

Meet the loggerhead shrike, the rare butcher bird of FMR-restored prairies

by sue rich

August 29, 2019

This small, striking songbird is a fearsome prairie predator. Sadly, it's considered endangered in Minnesota. Read more

A loggerhead shrike perched on the tip of a bare branch, with a grassy field in the background.

Ecological restoration: A practice in patience

by Alex Roth

August 18, 2019

In the world of ecological restoration, changes don't happen overnight. And sometimes, to create a thriving and diverse habitat for wildlife and for water quality, things get a little messier (or even uglier) before they get better. Take the long view with us and check out these before, during and after photos of a few of our restoration projects. >>

Thanks Akia, our shared summer intern

by Alex Roth

July 11, 2019

Akia Vang, our Green Team Alumni summer intern, woke up early to survey breeding birds and stayed late to assist at volunteer planting events. Akia stayed busy during his two short weeks with us. >>

A good sign for habitat: Hastings high schoolers make their mark in the park

by Ellie Rogers

June 11, 2019

Vermillion River Linear Park is a 60-acre prairie in the heart of Hastings that FMR has worked with students for years to restore. These high school students wanted to make sure passersby knew about the boon to wildlife and water quality right in their backyard. >>

New podcast features FMR ecologist and invasive earthworms

by Alex Roth

June 11, 2019

Three Rivers Park District's new podcast, The Wandering Naturalist, covers fun Minnesota ecology topics from tracking owls to maple syruping. In this episode, FMR ecologist Alex Roth joined the conversation about the effects of invasive buckthorn and earthworms on Minnesota's wildflowers. >>

New podcast features FMR ecologist and invasive earthworms

by Alex Roth

June 7, 2019

Three Rivers Park District's new podcast, The Wandering Naturalist, covers fun Minnesota ecology topics from tracking owls to maple syruping. In this episode, FMR ecologist Alex Roth joined the conversation about the effects of invasive buckthorn and earthworms on Minnesota's wildflowers. >>

Meet our elusive, big brown trout

May 15, 2019

In a cold prairie river just 20 or so minutes south of St. Paul, large brown trout gather in the shadow of red-twig dogwoods, willows and other stream-side plants. Learn more about these wily and beautiful reminders of the importance of protecting our local waters, and how you can help protect them. >>