Updates and Articles

River Guardians' impact in 2021

Watch the thank-you video we recorded (complete with outtakes at the end) to celebrate the successes of our River Guardians. These advocates took action in 2021 to champion a federal funding program to protect the Mississippi, advocate for more parkland in Cottage Grove and protect Minneapolis' drinking water.  >>

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What the federal infrastructure bill means for Minnesota's waters

Congress passed a long-awaited Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which President Biden signed into law on November 15. Here's what it means for Minnesota's waters.  >>

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A booklist on place from FMR staff and board

If you find yourself looking for book recommendations this winter as the pandemic continues, here are just a few of our staff and board members' favorites on the river, our relationship to place and where we live.  >>

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Book stack
Minnesota updates list of impaired waters for 2022

As required by the federal Clean Water Act, Minnesota creates a list of impaired waters — those that fail to meet water quality standards — every two years. For the draft 2022 list, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is adding 305 water bodies with 417 new impairments.  >>

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River Guardians' impact in 2021

Watch the thank-you video we recorded (complete with outtakes at the end) to celebrate the successes of our River Guardians. These advocates took action in 2021 to champion a federal funding program to protect the Mississippi, advocate for more parkland in Cottage Grove and protect Minneapolis' drinking water.  >>

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Thank you, 2021 river stewards!

We are so grateful to our amazing 2021 volunteers! See our video highlights and read more about the positive impact you had on the river this year.  >>

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Thank you, 2021 youth river stewards!

In 2021, more than 500 youth stenciled storm drains with water quality messages, conducted scientific surveys of pollinators and worms at our project sites, and helped restore land through invasive species removal.  >>

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Dam removal brings "river giants" back to Minnesota waterways

A recent Star Tribune article celebrated the return of paddlefish, sturgeon and other river species as a result of dam removal projects across the state. Could this kind of restoration be possible for the metro Mississippi?  >>

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Climate change, climate justice and FMR's Land Conservation program

Land protection and restoration for ecological diversity can keep urban areas cooler and more resilient in the face of climate change. Learn more about how our Land Conservation program fights climate change and its impacts.  >>

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Endangered species found at Maplewood sites under development consideration
When we learned that Ramsey County was considering developing open space that we believe provides essential habitat, FMR requested a natural resources inventory. The report confirms: Endangered and rare birds depend on this grassland. Read more

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Upcoming Events

Saturday, September 13, 2025 - 8:30am to 4:30pm
Mississippi River Gorge, Minneapolis and St. Paul
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St. Paul
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Our River Campaign:
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At the heart of this new campaign is the vision of a healthy Mississippi River.