Updates and Articles

My internship highlight: Planting hundreds of native trees on a tiny metro river island

January 1, 2020

In this piece by fall-winter 2019 intern Phuong Nguyen, she describes her favorite FMR experience: Canoeing to a small metro Mississippi island to plant 350 native trees. >>

Star Tribune highlights Upper Harbor dissent

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

December 19, 2019

The Star Tribune recently highlighted community dissent regarding the 1-mile riverfront redevelopment of Upper Harbor Terminal: a once-in-a-lifetime project that could dramatically impact North Minneapolis residents. >>

Buckthorn: How can a shrub be so harmful?

December 17, 2019

European buckthorn is a tall understory shrub brought to North America in the early 1800s as an ornamental shrub. But this woody plant escaped from yards and landscaped areas long ago, spreading rapidly in forests and other natural areas ever since. Read more

'Tis the season ... to remove buckthorn?

by Alex Roth

December 16, 2019

As the snow begins to fall, you'll notice some buckthorn leaves remain green. Find out about the benefits of late-fall and winter removal of this invasive plant. Read more

Will we see more bird-friendly glass in the future?

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

December 13, 2019

Bird-safe building design is important in urban areas along major flyways like the Twin Cities. From bird deaths at the local U.S. Bank Stadium to new bird-safe guidelines in New York City, here's a summary of the latest news. >>

Thank you, River Guardians!

by Sophie Downey

December 11, 2019

Thank you, River Guardians! We deeply appreciate you advocating for clean water and sustainable and equitable development along the river this past year. >>

Thank you, River Guardians!

by Sophie Downey

December 11, 2019

Thank you, River Guardians! We deeply appreciate you advocating for clean water and sustainable and equitable development along the river this past year. >

Thank you, River Stewards!

by Sophie Downey

December 11, 2019

In 2019, volunteers of all ages got their hands dirty with FMR at community volunteer events. Together over 1,400 individuals gave a combined 4,916 hours of service to help protect, enhance and restore the health of the river and our local communities. We're so grateful to our amazing River Stewards! >>

FMR weighs in on freeway expansion near river

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

December 6, 2019

A proposed redesign of Interstate 94 and Highway 252 through North Minneapolis, Brooklyn Center, and Brooklyn Park is raising questions for river lovers and environmental advocates. What's our stance? >>

Solar on the Area C dumpsite? Sounds great ... at first

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

December 6, 2019

The redevelopment plan for the Ford site on St. Paul's river bluff calls for renewable energy. That sounds great, but a small part of the plan includes building a solar array on top of the Area C hazardous waste dump on the river floodplain. With the dump undergoing further study about risks and remediation, could adding infrastructure further complicate potential cleanup? >>