Updates and Articles

2022 Gulf dead zone smaller than last year, would still cover entire Twin Cities metro

by Shaymus McLaughlin

August 16, 2022

The life-smothering "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico is smaller than scientists had forecast earlier in 2022, but remains significantly large. Read more

A white fishing boat along the shore of the Mississippi River in Louisiana.The water and sky are both a dark blue.

How the Inflation Reduction Act could impact the Mississippi River

August 14, 2022

By now, you've seen the headlines: A stunning compromise on the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will invest nearly $370 billion in new spending on climate change and energy security programs over the next 10 years. What does this mean for the river? Read more

How heat waves fuel toxic algae blooms in Minnesota waters

August 12, 2022

Harmful blue-green algae blooms can shut down popular beaches, sicken animals and negatively impact water quality. Read more

A pelican covered in green muck while in the water.

'Very excited about the prospects for this': Clean-water crops take center stage

by Shaymus McLaughlin

August 11, 2022

A bipartisan group of state lawmakers, agriculture officials and business partners gets a firsthand look at the development of continuous living cover crops.

A bipartisan group of state lawmakers, agriculture officials and business partners gets a firsthand look at the development of continuous living cover crops. >>

Thank you, summer 2022 interns and assistants!

August 10, 2022

Our summer interns and assistants helped double the size of our high school career pathways program, co-led more than 20 engagement events around lock and dam issues, and surveyed wildlife at restoration sites around the metro. >>

What we heard on this summer's lock and dam tours

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

August 8, 2022

This summer, FMR and our partners talked with over 600 community members about the future of our Twin Cities locks and dams. We led more than than 20 focus-group tours that brought many people to the river in new ways. Here's what we heard. Read more

ESI guest post: Making gardening accessible for everyone

July 29, 2022

This is a guest post from 2022 Environmental Stewardship Institute (ESI) fellow Mitali who created an informational video about making gardening and community gardens more accessible. Read more

ESI guest post: A local dive into environmental justice

July 29, 2022

This is a guest post from 2022 ESI fellows Stacy, Margaret and Norijah who explored environmental racism in three local case studies: North Minneapolis air quality, East Phillips Neighborhood Urban Farm, and Enbridge Lines 3 & 5 Read more

ESI guest post: The impact of street salt on our environment

July 29, 2022

This is a guest post from 2022 ESI fellows Hanna Bjerkness and Harper Glaeser Allen who conducted a survey to find out what their community knew about road salt pollution, then created an infographic to help them learn more. Read more

ESI guest post: Invasive species scavenger hunt

July 28, 2022

This is a guest post from 2022 Environmental Stewardship Institute (ESI) fellows Li Le Kaplow, Jasmine Jara and Sarah Hu who created a scavenger hunt for youth and their families to learn more about invasive species. Read more