Updates and Articles

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. >>

Read more
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! >> 

Read more
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. >>

Read more
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!

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. >>

Read more
Senator Tina Smith
Nature notes: Who goes there?

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.  >>

Read more
Tracks
Goldenrod vs. ragweed: Which causes allergies and which benefits pollinators?
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!

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! >>

Read more
Nature Notes: Snowshoeing grouse?

In this month's Nature Notes:  Oh, the surprising things that ruffed grouse have in common with snowshoe hares and aspen trees. >>

Read more
grouse foot showing pectination
It’s time to put our waters on a low-salt diet

Just 1 teaspoon of salt is enough to permanently pollute 5 gallons of water. Chloride. (salt) pollution to Minnesota’s waters has made headlines for all the wrong reasons, and it's time for all of us to do our part. Here are some short term and long term long-term solutions to ponder and this winter approaches. >>

Read more
Road salt truck

Pages

Upcoming Events

Thursday, September 4, 2025 - 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative, Minneapolis
Sunday, September 7, 2025 - 12:00pm to 4:00pm
34th to 36th Streets & West River Parkway Minneapolis
Saturday, September 13, 2025 - 8:30am to 4:30pm
Mississippi River Gorge, Minneapolis and St. Paul

Our River Campaign:
It all starts here

At the heart of this new campaign is the vision of a healthy Mississippi River.