Updates and Articles

Farewell, John!

by Sara DeKok

May 3, 2017

FMR is bidding a bittersweet farewell to our longtime and beloved development officer, John Briel.

We miss Friends of the Mississippi River Development Officer John Briel!

Transition point for N Mpls river reconnection work

by Alicia Uzarek

April 10, 2017

The FMR advocacy crew is switching gears. After spending 2016 researching how to better connect North Minneapolis with the Mississippi River we're shifting to advocating for those community-identified changes. We marked this transition with a final presentation by FMR's CURA research assistant Eric King and a panel discussion with attendees, covering everything from potential gentrification to a possible land-bridge over Interstate 94.

Nature Notes: 'What’s it got in its pocketses?'

by Karen Schik

April 10, 2017

Fans of The Lord of the Rings will recognize this query of Gollum, the odd underworld creature, as he pondered the riddle of Bilbo’s pocket contents. The star character of this month’s Nature Notes is also a creature of the underworld, seldom seen above ground. And like Gollum, these animals have a lead role in the world they inhabit.

How gophers benefit native prairies

April 10, 2017

Fans of The Lord of the Rings will recognize this query of Gollum, the odd underworld creature, as he pondered the riddle of Bilbo’s pocket contents. This month's conservation star is also a creature of the underworld, seldom seen above ground. And like Gollum, these animals have a lead role in the world they inhabit. >>

Pollution Control Agency chief: Anti-environment bills put politics ahead of science

by Trevor Russell

April 6, 2017

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner recently penned a thoughtful commentary on the threat of anti-environmental legislation moving forward at the Minnesota Legislature this session.

MINNPost: 'Legislature makes a sweeping assault on Minnesota's environmental traditions'

by Trevor Russell

April 5, 2017

"When people like [FMR director] Whitney Clark and Steve Morse call out the Minnesota Legislature for a 'full frontal assault' on the state’s traditions of environmental stewardship, for an 'unprecedented' trashing of established and accepted practice, it’s time to take notice," writes Ron Meador in MINNPost. We couldn't agree more.

Must-see FMR spring birding sites along the river

by Alex Roth

March 31, 2017

FMR has helped to protect and restore a number of first-rate birding spots in the metro. Take advantage of the spring migration season with a visit to our top Mississippi River flyway sites. Whether you’re looking for an urban birding spot, or prefer a location a little more off the beaten path, we've got you covered.

FMR joins letter opposing House and Senate environmental bills

by Trevor Russell

March 30, 2017

FMR is proud to be a signatory on a pair of letters to the Minnesota House and Senate asking members to vote ‘no’ on the Omnibus Environment and Natural Resources budget bills.

MN House & Senate rewrite Legacy and undercut Clean Water Fund recommendations.

by Trevor Russell

March 30, 2017

A pair of bills advanced in the House and Senate this week that re-write appropriations for the State’s Clean Water Fund. These bills:

Undermine the Clean Water Council’s recommendations;
Violate the Legislature’s 2015 promise to taxpayers on buffer funding; and
Reduce or eliminate funding for drinking water, agricultural conservation, water monitoring and other core clean water programs.

Stealth House-only bill undermines agency rulemaking

by Leili Fatehi

March 16, 2017

A bill poised to pass the Minnesota House with minimal hearings would make it possible for a single legislative committee to block or hamstring state agencies from adopting or even proposing rules to protect Minnesotans' environment, natural resources, health, and safety. Written by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, the bill explicitly elevates the interests of corporate polluters and other regulated entities above all other regulatory considerations.