Updates and Articles

2021 Legislative session wrap-up

by Trevor Russell

July 20, 2021

Here’s where major water-related environmental bills and issues stand at the long-delayed conclusion of the 2021 legislative session, including future water train proposals, PFAS and more. >>

Star Tribune: 'Habitat or housing?' ... We say both

July 19, 2021

Ramsey County is grappling with a big question: Is responding to both our climate crisis and affordable housing crisis a zero-sum game? How can we create the housing the Twin Cities needs, while also preserving the homes of other species whose populations are collapsing? >>

Star Tribune: 'Habitat or housing?' ... We say both

July 19, 2021

Groups join the call to create a new federal program to protect the Mississippi River

by Trevor Russell

July 19, 2021

More than 65 organizations are backing the Mississippi River Restoration & Resilience Initiative or MRRRI Act introduced to Congress in June. Find out why the MRRRI Act merits its broad support. >>

FMR Intern Allie's favorite insect sightings

by Allie Carroll

July 13, 2021

Allie Carroll, our summer field ecology intern, has a great eye for insects. We're all looking a little closer now that she’s on our team. Here's a guest post from Allie in which she gives us a tour of some of the coolest finds from her fieldwork so far. >>

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency commissioner resigns

by Trevor Russell

July 13, 2021

Only July 6, the Senate convened and informed the governor that they would vote to deny confirmation for Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Laura Bishop, due to the agency’s support for the Clean Cars Minnesota rulemaking process. In response, Commissioner Bishop announced her resignation shortly thereafter. >>

Star Tribune spotlights need for action against invasive carp

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

July 12, 2021

Invasive carp present a growing threat to Minnesota waterways. A recent forum considered several strategies to stop their spread. We'll need to use all of them to protect the Mississippi River. >>

Water crisis in Des Moines: Why does a river city need wells?

by Peter LaFontaine

July 12, 2021

Des Moines has ample surface water from its two rivers, but contamination from upstream runoff has forced officials to start pivoting to a drastic new plan: drilling $30 million worth of wells. >>

Climate change, climate justice and FMR's Land Use & Planning program

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

July 11, 2021

Climate change impacts make park access and greenspace even more important for public health and equity, and guidelines for riverfront development need to respond to the shifting climate in order to protect our river. Here's how our Land Use & Planning program's work intersects with climate change and climate justice. >>

Where we work: Camel’s Hump Park and Open Space

July 10, 2021

Since 2012, we've been restoring the woods, savanna, and remnant prairie still growing on the sandstone bluffs of Camel's Hump Park and Open Space, a 60-acre Cottage Grove park with a vantage that gives expansive views of the Mississippi River Valley. >>