Updates and Articles

Special Places: Minneapolis' riverfront Above the Falls

To celebrate our 25th year, each month in 2018 FMR staff will profile places along the metro Mississippi River that are near and dear to us, places that connect to FMR but that we also enjoy in our own downtime. By the end of our silver year, we'll have built a map of 25 special river places for you and yours to learn about, visit and enjoy.

This month: Minneapolis’s riverfront Above the Falls.

The Minneapolis riverfront north of St. Anthony Falls is an interesting juxtaposition of the natural, urban and industrial. Here you can enjoy bike and pedestrian trails, or rent a kayak to see a heron rookery, restored prairie, riverfront raingarden parks and sculptures, as well as industrial relics. You'll also want to visit often over the next decade to experience the changing riverfront, as more industrial sites are converted into public parklands.

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View of downtown Mpls from the Lowry bridge
Nature notes: Turtles on the go under the ice

For reasons not yet understood, many turtles stay active under the winter ice. Learn more about their mysterious habits and about a local FMR turtle protection project in this month's Nature Notes. >>

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Swimming turtle
If you build it, will they come? Investigating whether restored habitat means more wildlife.

Since the creation of our land conservation program over 20 years ago, FMR has protected, restored or enhanced over a thousand acres of prairie, forest, wetland and other types of wildlife and pollinator habitat in the metro area. But does increasing native habitat result in the return of native animals?

Learn about bird surveys, wildlife cams and our work with local high schools to find out. >>

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A red fox ventures into an open, grassy area.
Media coverage of our lawsuit against the state

As articles about our lawsuit roll in, we'll be sure to post them here. First up, the Star Tribune. >>

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Claim your day: FMR is scheduling summer group outings

If you're looking for a service outing that's educational, active, outdoors and provides a tangible community benefit, consider storm drain stenciling in St. Paul with FMR. 

Reservations for outings, as well as classroom presentations and litter cleanups, are now being taken for summer and fall 2018. >>

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Students stencil storm drains in St. Paul neighborhoods
Forum reveals where leading gubernatorial candidates stand on environmental issues

Joining in from 10 different locations across the state, about 3,000 Minnesotans participated in the Our New Environment Forum with six leading gubernatorial candidates. Check out the video to see where each stands on the environmental and conservation issues important to you! >>

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Celebrating 25 years: 25 special river places and stories

Local station CCX helped FMR celebrate our silver anniversary year.

FMR is turning 25! Throughout our silver anniversary, we're celebrating Twin Citians' connection to the metro Mississippi. Allow us to introduce the new River Story Map and 25 Special Places Map. >>

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FMR welcomes two new directors

We are proud to announce Betsy Daub as our new director of land conservation, and Adam Flett as the director of our stewardship and outreach programming! >> 

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Test for contaminated drinking water? Brown County says ‘no’

Bowing to pressure from ag groups, the Brown County Board of Commissioners in south-central Minnesota recently declined a free state program offering free private well testing for drinking water contamination. >>

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As the Journal in New Ulm put it: “turning down free well-testing is like refusing to go to the doctor because he might tell you you’re sick. It’s not a wise policy.”

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Upcoming Events

New date: February 15, 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
FMR's office, near Harriet Island in St. Paul
Throughout February
Hennepin, Ramsey & Washington counties
This school year
In your classroom or outside