Updates and Articles

Minnesota gets a bad report card for nitrate reduction (part two)

by Trevor Russell

January 13, 2021

How do we get a better grade for nitrate pollution reduction? We have to change the mix of what we grow. In this follow-up, we explain why it isn't feasible to rely on incentive payments to farmers alone to move the needle on our water quality problems. And we offer an exciting solution that could improve water quality by AND sustain farmers' livelihoods. >>

Saving the baby AND the bathwater: New hope for a sensible Clean Water Rule

by Peter LaFontaine

January 11, 2021

Back in 2019, the Trump administration adopted new regulations that significantly undermine how our nation's public water supplies are protected. Now, an independent review has found that the federal government's decision-making process was fundamentally flawed. Will the Biden administration reverse the rollbacks? >>

MRCCA riverfront protections update: You made a difference!

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

January 10, 2021

Minneapolis is the first city with a new ordinance to guide riverfront development and protections, and thanks to our collective advocacy, their ordinance includes provisions for migrating birds. Will St. Paul and other communities follow suit? >>

Minneapolis: Don't skip environmental review!

January 8, 2021

With 48 acres of city-owned riverfront, the Upper Harbor Terminal site in North Minneapolis presents a rare opportunity for equitable, creative, transformative community development. Unfortunately, the city's plan falls short of this potential.

Tell the city not to approve the plan before conducting an environmental review. >>

Education intern creates curriculum connecting people and place

by Laura Mann Hill

January 8, 2021

Elia Engberg, in their senior year of Environmental & Educational Studies at Macalester College, spent eight weeks as FMR's stewardship and education intern this fall. They worked collaboratively with FMR's team to create new curriculum resources that uplift connections between people and place, highlighting culture and identity relationships as essential parts of environmental education. >>

Congress clarifies future of Upper St. Anthony Falls

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

January 6, 2021

The years-long process to determine the future of the Upper St. Anthony Falls lock and dam has had a few interesting twists and turns in recent weeks. Congress has intervened to make sure that future plans are flowing in the right direction. >>

River Guardians made an impact in 2020

by Ellie Rogers

January 5, 2021

We're celebrating the successes of more than 1,500 River Guardians who took action in 2020 to hold polluters of a toxic riverfront waste site accountable, to invest in critical infrastructure to ensure safe drinking water, and to protect migrating birds along the metro Mississippi flyway. Thank you! Find out more about your impact and what we're up against in 2021. >>

FMR ecologist coauthors paper on the importance of replanting after buckthorn removal

by Ellie Rogers

December 31, 2020

When FMR volunteers remove buckthorn, we're making way for native plants to reestablish critical habitat. In a new research paper, following up by planting native plants seems to show another benefit: Buckthorn has a harder time making a comeback. >>

Minneapolis Parks for All plan open for comment

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

December 23, 2020

Through July 18, 2021, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is seeking public comment on its draft Parks for All comprehensive plan, which will guide the park board for the next ten years. Review FMR's recommendations for the plan and learn how to submit your own. >>