Updates and Articles

Research roundup: Is cropland ag carbon sequestration as effective as we want it to be?

by Trevor Russell

February 9, 2021

Storing greenhouse gases in cropland soils is all the rage these days, as Fortune 500 companies, conservation initiatives and even the Biden administration seek to reward farmers for sequestering carbon beneath our feet. But how sound is this approach? We pulled together some of the latest news about no-till farming, cover crops and how effectively these practices sequester carbon. >>

Meet our new youth coordinator

by Laura Mann Hill

February 4, 2021

Longtime youth coordinator Kate Clayton recently stepped down from her position after more than seven years of service to FMR. She leaves a legacy of inspiring many thousands of youth, volunteers and educators, and equipping them with knowledge and skills to enhance and protect our river and watershed. Ashley O'Neill Prado will be promoted to youth coordinator in March. >>

Where we work: Vermillion Falls Park

February 2, 2021

At the stunning waterfall after which this park is named, the Vermillion River drops 35 feet, then runs through limestone gorge and forest. We've been managing habitat restoration here since 2019. >>

Why insects matter and what you can do about their decline

by Karen Schik

January 29, 2021

In the past few years, news of the decline of insect populations has raised alarm bells. Experts say the world is losing around 1 to 2 percent of its insects each year. By now, most people know pollinators are vital to making about a third of our food supply. But what about all the other insects — does this overall population decrease matter? >>

Minneapolis agrees to environmental review before key UHT vote

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

January 27, 2021

Community advocates recently secured a big victory: Minneapolis leaders committed to an environmental review of its riverfront Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment plan before voting on the project. >>

MinnPost: UHT plan elicits mixed reactions

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

January 25, 2021

A recent MinnPost article about the Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment in North Minneapolis highlights the wide range of opinions among residents who have been closely involved in the project. Many of them share our concern: Will this project really deliver equity for Northsiders? >>

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. >>