Updates and Articles

Fall drought in MN, record low Mississippi River down south
Months of drought have reduced the Mighty Mississippi to a shallow trickle in its southern stretch. Read more
Minnehaha Falls as a trickle
Mississippi River diversion pipeline is impractical, study says
Could the Mississippi River refill the Southwest's freshwater reserves? A recent study says the idea of a diversion pipeline doesn't hold water. Read more
Franklin Avenue Bridge and Mississippi River
'Heal with the Earth:' FMR's 2022 mural for water quality
FMR worked with artist Graci Horne this year to create a water quality mural at Lake Phalen: a youth-inspired design showing the hydrogen cycle through life connected by water — Dakota floral, wild rice, animals — up through the atmosphere. Read more
Artist Graci Horne with the completed mural
A vision of sustainable agriculture from Gnometown, USA
The excitement around pea protein business PURIS can show us the path forward for clean-water crops and continuous living cover. Read more
People in protective gear listen to a speaker
FMR signs on to petition calling for protection of native fish
FMR has signed on to a legal petition calling for the protection of all native fish, especially "rough fish" — a catchall term for native species that are less desirable to eat, like buffalo fish or freshwater drum. Read more
Child holds a shorthead redhorse fish
It's time to find and replace lead drinking water lines
In Minnesota, 100,000 homes still have lead service lines. It's long past time for decision-makers to prioritize a fix. Read more
A drip of water falls from a metal tap, into a filling glass of water.
Activating youth leadership through water stewardship programming
Youth leaders at FMR hosted two educational events for our communities, sharpening their leadership skills and engaging other young people in water stewardship activities. Read more
Two people stand with storm drain stencil in front of Como Lake
Hundreds of birds in the one and only river gorge
For more than three decades, Dave Zumeta has kept meticulous lists of the birds he's seen in the Mississippi River Gorge, a band of habitat FMR works to restore that is critical for migrators on the flyway. Read more
A photo collage showing a saw-whet owl and a trumpeter swan.
Fishing for fishers: FMR supports a new study
Why is the fisher expanding its range to the southern part of the state, including the Twin Cities? Why is its population declining? FMR is partnering on a University of Minnesota study of this elusive member of the weasel family to help find out. Read more
Fisher climbing over log
Where we work: Spring Lake Park Reserve
At Dakota County's Spring Lake Park Reserve along the bluffs of the Mississippi River, our oak forest and prairie restorations are home to more than 80 native plant species. Read more
Spring Lake Park Reserve wildflowers

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Upcoming Events

This school year
In your classroom or outside
Saturday, April 18, 2026 - 9:30am to 12:00pm
West River Parkway and 36th Street/44th Street, Minneapolis