Updates and Articles

Claim your day: FMR is scheduling summer group outings

by Kate Clayton

February 6, 2018

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. >>

Students stencil storm drains in St. Paul neighborhoods

Forum reveals where leading gubernatorial candidates stand on environmental issues

by Trevor Russell

January 31, 2018

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! >>

Celebrating 25 years: 25 special river places and stories

January 13, 2018

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. >>

What we weigh in on: development and parks map

January 9, 2018

FMR welcomes two new directors

by Whitney Clark

January 9, 2018

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! >>

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

by Trevor Russell

January 9, 2018

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. >>

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.”

Former FMR board chair Tina Smith goes to Washington!

January 8, 2018

A little cheer rippled through the FMR office as former Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith went to Washington to be sworn in as U.S. Senator Smith.

Sen. Smith previously served as chair of the FMR Board of Directors and is currently a member of the FMR Council of Advisors. >>

Nature notes: Who goes there?

by Karen Schik

January 5, 2018

What animals traveled through our yards and landscapes under the cover of night or even right under our noses? A primer on reading tracks in the snow. >>

Goldenrod vs. ragweed: Which causes allergies and which benefits pollinators?

December 29, 2017

Each year, we get questions about whether goldenrod contributes to our late-summer allergies. The short answer: Most likely not, it's usually ragweed to blame. In fact, some goldenrod species are good for habitat restoration. Read more

A field of showy golden flowers is a common site in late summer, but is goldenrod to blame for our allergies?

FMR River Guardians rock their first official year!

by Alicia Uzarek

December 15, 2017

River Guardians speak up for the river.

We're incredibly grateful and delighted to report that our community of river advocates more than doubled in 2017!

River Guardians helped to save River Heights Park in Inver Grove Heights, rein in water quality rollbacks at the Capitol, worked for improved public access to the riverfront in North and Northeast Minneapolis and much more. Check out the 2017 best-of photos! >>