Updates and Articles

Special Session Action Alert: Support clean water & oppose raids to the Clean Water Fund [CLOSED]

May 26, 2021

The Minnesota Legislature is coming back for a special session! We're asking River Guardians and others to weigh in on three priority environmental bills to make sure lawmakers get this right. First up: the Omnibus Legacy Bill. >>

The clock runs out on the Minnesota Legislature

by Trevor Russell

May 19, 2021

On the final day of the 2021 legislative session, lawmakers agreed to a $52 billion two-year state budget, but the clock ran out before they could pass any meaningful legislation. Here’s where major water-related environmental bills stand as we prepare for a special session. >>

Who farms in MN? What the ag census tells us about MN agriculture

by Trevor Russell

May 19, 2021

As we work to transition our croplands toward more water-friendly systems, it’s important to examine how the ag sector reinforces systematic inequities that disproportionally impact low-income farmers and people of color — so we don’t repeat the mistakes of the past. >>

Kernza pays off for MN water supplies

by Peter LaFontaine

May 17, 2021

The flagship "clean-water crop" delivers tremendous value in reducing water pollution, reports the Star Tribune. >>

Where we work: Hampton Woods Wildlife Management Area

May 15, 2021

The only forest among miles of farmland in all directions, Hampton Woods WMA is a 200-acre haven for wood thrush and other woodland wildlife near the Vermillion River in Dakota County. We helped permanently protect this area in 2017, and now we're working to restore its red oak forest. >>

Environmental Stewardship Institute alum keeps Hidden Falls Park clean

by Sophie Downey

May 12, 2021

A summer project turned into a year-round commitment for 2020 ESI Fellow Jonathan Wilson-Thieroff. Read about how he made an impact reducing fishing line waste at this beloved riverfront park. >>

Jonathan with his fishing line receptacle

Action Alert: Environment Bill – Support Conservation & the Environmental Trust Fund [CLOSED]

May 11, 2021

The fate of this year's environment bill will be decided in the coming weeks. Please send a quick message to your lawmakers to support environmental funding, support the Environmental Trust Fund and oppose policy rollbacks in the final bill. >>

Our favorite take-aways from this spring's Pollinator Summit

by Karen Schik

May 7, 2021

At the recent Pollinator Summit, our ecologists picked up a few new ideas about how to restore land with pollinators in mind, and learned more about how pollinators restore the land themselves. Read on for our take-aways on soil scouting, goat grazing, our tiniest SuperVolunteers, and the 5,000 invertebrates under your feet at every step. >>

Welcome back, John!

by Sara DeKok

May 6, 2021

We're thrilled to welcome John Briel back to the FMR team. John had previously worked for FMR as our development associate before moving to Chicago to pursue new opportunities. Now he's back as our new member relations manager and has hit the ground running, serving FMR's incredible community of members and donors. >>

Where we work: Mississippi River Gorge

May 6, 2021

Forested limestone bluffs make up the only gorge on the entire length of the Mississippi River as it flows through the heart of the Twin Cities, flanked by beloved recreational parkways. Our restoration projects improve habitat in this urban oasis. >>