Updates and Articles

What can cities do to guide development and protect open space?

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

December 15, 2021

When we work with community members involved in local development and habitat protection issues, we often hear similar questions: "What can my city leaders do about this issue?" "Does anyone have the power to change this project?" Here's a summary of how cities can shape development and protect open space. >>

Mississippi Dunes: Cottage Grove's great missed opportunity

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

December 15, 2021

The Cottage Grove City Council recently approved a plan for the former Mississippi Dunes golf course. While the plan includes a modest riverfront park, many residents hoped for more. >>

River Guardians' impact in 2021

December 14, 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. >>

What the federal infrastructure bill means for Minnesota's waters

by Trevor Russell

December 13, 2021

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. >>

A booklist on place from FMR staff and board

December 12, 2021

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. >>

Minnesota updates list of impaired waters for 2022

by Trevor Russell

December 9, 2021

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. >>

River Guardians' impact in 2021

December 8, 2021

Thank you, 2021 river stewards!

by Sophie Downey

December 8, 2021

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. >>

Thank you, 2021 youth river stewards!

by Ashley O'Neill Prado

December 7, 2021

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. >>

Dam removal brings "river giants" back to Minnesota waterways

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

December 6, 2021

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? >>