Updates and Articles

New podcast features FMR ecologist and invasive earthworms

Three Rivers Park District's new podcast, The Wandering Naturalist, covers fun Minnesota ecology topics from tracking owls to maple syruping. In this episode, FMR ecologist Alex Roth joined the conversation about the effects of invasive buckthorn and earthworms on Minnesota's wildflowers. >>

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Stormwater mural celebrates water at Lake Phalen

On the bridge near the pavilion at Lake Phalen, if you look down, you’ll see a new mural. On June 1 at WaterFest, lead artist Liv Novotny and assistant artist Violeta Rotstein led volunteers to paint this beautiful reminder that all roads lead to our waters. >>

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Artists work on the 2019 stormwater mural at Lake Phalen
It's a wrap. How FMR’s priorities fared in the 2019 session

The 2019 Legislative Session kicked on in January with Governor Walz presiding over the only divided state legislature in the nation.

This led to some core disagreements, missed deadlines and an assorted bag of victories and compromises for Minnesota's environment and the Mississippi River.

Here’s a brief summary of the major items we were tracking, and how each turned out. >>

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How the Environment Bill fared this session

Overall, the legislative session resulted in modest additional funding for some of our top priorities while many of the worst provisions were dropped. Along with our allies, we are deeply grateful to the FMR River Guardians who consistently demonstrated their strong support for the river and healthy lands and waters for all Minnesota communities. Learn more about which FMR priorities made it, which did not, and where we go from here.  >>

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River access, wildlife habitat, year-round recreation: Cottage Grove’s unique opportunity

The City of Cottage Grove has the opportunity to turn an old golf course into open space for wildlife and a recreational park for residents and visitors in an area lacking in river access. Here are our top reasons why we should protect this special place from development.  >>

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People enjoying park
How the Clean Water Fund fared this session

The bipartisan Omnibus Legacy Bill was passed during the Special Session and includes $261.26 million for the Clean Water Fund. Here’s what was included in the final version. >>

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2019 legislative update: A special session in the works

With our Legislature's adjournment date passed and no final agreements on most policy and budget issues, a special session will be required. And most major water and conservation issues are yet to be decided. Here are our positions on some of the major issues still in play.  >>
 

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Action Alert: Support funding the River Learning Center [CLOSED]

The River Learning Center will be a destination that connects all Minnesotans and visitors to recreational and educational opportunities on the Mississippi River. Your advocacy is urgently needed to ensure that the River Learning Center receives state bonding funds to move forward this year. >>

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Meet our elusive, big brown trout

In a cold prairie river just 20 or so minutes south of St. Paul, large brown trout gather in the shadow of red-twig dogwoods, willows and other stream-side plants. Learn more about these wily and beautiful reminders of the importance of protecting our local waters, and how you can help protect them.  >>

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Our letter to House & Senate conferees on Forever Green

Today, FMR, along with twenty-three other organizations, signed a letter requesting legislators provide full funding for eh University of Minnesota’s Forever Green Initiative in the final Clean Water Fund negotiations.

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Upcoming Events

Tuesday, July 30, 2024 - 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Rotary Pavilion at Levee Park, Hastings
Saturday, August 3, 2024 - 9:00am to 2:00pm
Mississippi River Gorge, Minneapolis
New date: Saturday, August 10, 2024 - 5:00pm to 8:00pm
Hidden Falls Regional Park, St. Paul