Updates and Articles

Nature Notes: Beautiful berries 'ecological traps' for birds

by Alex Roth

September 11, 2017

Each fall, two common invasive plants produce starkly colored berries: European buckthorn bears shiny jet-black fruit while bush honeysuckle produces brilliant red to yellow berries. Unfortunately, birds that dine on the fruit not only spread the invasives' seed but are negatively impacted by the berries themselves — they can even disrupt some birds' mating patterns! >>

The paired, bright red berries of bush honeysuckles are easy to spot in the fall.

Judge faults DNR for allowing overpumping of White Bear Lake’s aquifer

by Trevor Russell

September 8, 2017

In a sweeping order, Ramsey County Judge Margaret Marrinan faulted the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for authorizing unsustainable groundwater pumping; depleting the aquifer and artificially lowering water levels in White Bear Lake. The ruling could have widespread implications for groundwater management in Minnesota.

Become a River Guardian

August 17, 2017

Looking for a place to direct friends or family interested in advocating for the river, check out our new River Guardians page. You can take action, check out previous action alerts and FMR's advocacy letters on behalf of members, and see a map (soon to be interactive!) of FMR's current advocacy projects.

And, of course, if you haven't already, you can sign up to be an FMR River Guardian.

Big woods now protected in heart of Dakota County!

July 26, 2017

In the heart of Dakota County, surrounded by farm fields, rises Hampton Woods. The only forest for miles in all directions, the woods provides critical habitat for forest-dwelling animals, especially birds.

Thanks to an FMR partnership with local landowners, Dakota County and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 191 acres of Hampton Woods has been permanently protected and is now open to the public as a wildlife management area. Check it out, and enjoy the hawk's eye view!

As featured in the Hmong Times: Earth Club restoring local river habitat

by Kate Clayton

July 21, 2017

We're so excited that the Harding High Earth Club is on the cover of this month's Hmong Times for their work with FMR! These young citizen scientists and habitat restorers have been essential to our work at Indian Mounds Regional Park and at the riverfront forest below it in East St. Paul.

Welcome, Matt & John!

July 19, 2017

FMR is delighted to welcome communications intern Matt Cook and development associate John Czyscon to the FMR family!

FMR Advisor Deb Swackhamer stands strong before Trump's EPA

July 17, 2017

When the Environmental Protection Agency’s chief of staff pressured Deborah Swackhamer, the top scientist on the agency’s scientific review board, to alter her congressional testimony to play down President Trump's dismissal of expert advisers, Swackhamer stood strong.

We didn't think it was possible, but we are more proud than ever to have Ms. Swackhamer on FMR's Council of Advisors. Learn more from the New York Times, MPR, MSNBC and Science magazine.

'Don't worry, I come in peace!' Meet the one-of-a-kind pelecinid wasp

by Tom Lewanski

July 12, 2017

Of the 18,000 species of ants, bees and wasps in North America, the pelecinid wasp is among the most interesting. This insect is so unusual it shares its family (Pelecinidae) with just three other species in the world, with no others in North America. But don't worry, that 'stinger' isn't what it looks like. >>

Evaluating the final Clean Water Fund bill

by Trevor Russell

June 28, 2017

HF 707 betrays the expectations of Minnesota voters by raiding $22 million in Clean Water Fund money for administrative costs for local governments, while failing to heed the recmmendations of Minnesota's Clean Water Council.