Updates and Articles

From buckthorn to endangered bumblebees, a habitat success story

We're thrilled that an FMR restoration site, a local woodland once choked with European buckthorn, now supports the rusty patched bumblebee, a federally endangered species. >>

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Action Alert: Submit your comments on the Minneapolis MRCCA draft ordinance [CLOSED]

Minneapolis residents have a chance to weigh in on the MRCCA draft ordinance. While we like a lot about the draft, we think it could be better for the birds. Find out more and submit your comments >>

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Minneapolis residents: Act now to protect your riverfront!

The city of Minneapolis is taking public comments on its new ordinance to guide riverfront development and land management. The ordinance has a lot of strengths, but we'd like to see more protections for birds along this crucial migratory flyway.

Learn more by reading FMR's analysis or attending our upcoming virtual Q&A. >>

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2020 Youth Empowerment Program final projects

This year, participants in our Youth Empowerment Program tackled issues of environmental justice, microplastics, climate change and more. Enjoy a selection of their final projects.  >>

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Program participants stand in grass
State’s Groundwater Protection Rule now in full effect

As noted in a recent MPR News story, Minnesota farm operators will no longer be allowed to apply nitrogen fertilizer in the fall or on frozen ground above Minnesota’s most vulnerable aquifers. While that means cleaner drinking water for many Minnesotans, this rule alone won't solve our nitrate pollution problems.  >>

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State & Strib connect the dots between crops and water health

The Star Tribune recently covered a report that underscores the connection between water quality and the need to alter what we plant in Minnesota's farm fields. But this report wasn't issued by the usual suspects — now the state is actively calling for profitable clean-water crops.  >>

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A field ecology internship in the time of COVID-19

Our summer intern Michaela Hackbarth reflects on the gray catbird's call, how field work requires great people skills, and the expansive feeling at FMR habitat restoration sites.  >>

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Your sightings critical for year two of coyote and fox research project

How are wild canids adapting to urban areas? Help researchers find out more this fall and winter, get a project update from the first field season, and learn how to identify and differentiate gray foxes, red foxes and coyotes with our guide, so you can record your sightings.  >>

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Public comment sought for new Pig's Eye islands

The Star Tribune recently covered the island-building project at Pig's Eye Lake in East Side St. Paul's riverfront park. As our executive director Whitney Clark stated in the article, FMR supports the project overall, and would also like to see project planners "really consider including climate-adaptive species and use this opportunity to understand more about habitat restoration in the era of climate change."  >>

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A seagull made of plastic: The threat of plastics in our waters

Audrey, a summer Youth Empowerment Program participant, wanted to make the threat of microplastics in freshwater visible through art. She crafted her seagull sculpture using plastic she found during just half an hour at a Lake Superior beach.  >>

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Upcoming Events

Now through October 26, 2025, dawn to 11 p.m.
Raspberry Island, St. Paul
Three options: October 20, October 28, November 22, 2025
Hidden Falls Regional Park, St. Paul
Thursday, December 4, 2025 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
F-O-K Studios, St. Paul

Our River Campaign:
It all starts here

At the heart of this new campaign is the vision of a healthy Mississippi River.