Updates and Articles

Help shape beloved riverfront parks: Mississippi Gorge and Hidden Falls, Crosby Farm

by Irene Jones

January 7, 2019

Master plans for three treasured regional parks in the heart of the urban Twin Cities are getting updated this year — the Mississippi Gorge Regional Park in Minneapolis, Hidden Falls Regional Park and Crosby Farm Regional Park in St. Paul. In late January and early February, community members will have an opportunity to see the plans and to weigh in. >>

Lake Street Bridge from the Mississippi Gorge

First buckthorn wreath-making workshop a success

by Alex Roth

January 7, 2019

For some in the do-it-yourself crowd, wreath-making has become a fun way to create holiday decor. This past December, FMR and two local artists put a unique spin on this DIY theme, hosting an open studio wreath-making event with one big twist… we used invasive buckthorn. >>

Two workshop participants display their buckthorn wreath creations.

A rare opportunity to protect 150+ acres on the main stem of the Mississippi

January 4, 2019

FMR is leading the charge to acquire and restore a once-manicured golf course in Washington County. Learn more about this opportunity and our hope to transform the former golf fairways and putting greens back to their natural state. >>

A view of the Mississippi River looking across to Lower Grey Cloud Island from the former site of Mississippi Dunes Golf Links.

Our 2019 legislative priorities

by Trevor Russell

January 3, 2019

Kicking off the return of our annual Legislative Blog, here's a summary of FMR's top three legislative priorities this session: Forever Green, Working Lands and fixing the Environmental Trust Fund raid. >>

A baby dies, a brewery town runs dry — 'Water Pressure' illustrates MN & WI water problems

by sue rich

January 2, 2019

While we're sad to see Josephine Marcotty leave her post as the Star Tribune's long-time environmental reporter, we're grateful for her parting "Water Pressure" series.

If you've been saving up your free, online-access Star Tribune stories, this trio is worth the clicks. >>

Local muralist Liv Novotny to create FMR's third water quality mural

by Amy Kilgore

January 2, 2019

As we look to the new year, FMR is excited to announce the selection of Liv Novotny as the lead artist for our third water quality mural project. Novotny will work with the community to design and install a water quality mural in St. Paul this summer. >>

An examploe of another mural created by Liv Novotny

First buckthorn wreath-making workshop a success

January 1, 2019

Thank you, River Stewards!

by Amy Kilgore

December 14, 2018

In 2018, volunteers of all ages got their hands dirty with FMR at community events. Together over 700 individuals gave a combined 3,082 hours of service to help protect, enhance and restore the health of the river and our local communities. In gratitude, we've gathered some of our favorite photos from this restoration season. >>

FMR joins 186 groups supporting revised farm bill

by Trevor Russell

December 13, 2018

FMR was one of 186 national, state and local organizations to thank Congress for strong conservation provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill and urge its timely passage. >>

Special Places: Staff favorites

by Ellie Rogers

December 13, 2018

There are too many special river places to list — far more than 25 — so we'll close out our 25th-anniversary series with a few of our staff's favorite spots: the places we visit for solitude or critter watching or fishing, places that connect us deeply to the river and inspire us to do this work. >>