'Land conservation key to bringing back Minnesota bird population'
We didn't pay MPR to write that headline, but it's exactly the message we want people to understand. >>
Meet the loggerhead shrike, the rare butcher bird of FMR-restored prairies
Don't be fooled. Known for its striking gray-blue and white coloring and stunning, sweet song, this small songbird is also a fearsome killer.
The loggerhead shrike spikes small lizards on thorns and stakes mice on barbed wire. It's a rare prairie predator — now endangered in Minnesota — and a positive sign for habitat. That's why we're delighted to have loggerhead shrikes at two FMR-protected and restored sites. >>
Reconnecting with the river: MPR and North News share North Minneapolis' river stories
Recently, two local media projects from MPR and North News highlighted North Minneapolis residents' relationships with water and our Big River.
The MPR stories are a riveting listen, while the stunning North News issue is both a refreshing read and a graceful portrait of a community's multi-faceted relationship to the river. >>
A baby dies, a brewery town runs dry — 'Water Pressure' illustrates MN & WI water problems
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. >>
Welcome, Jen and Ellen!
Jennifer Hadley (left) our new database coordinator and Ellen Rogers (right), FMR's communications associate.
Meet our new data coordinator Jen Hadley and communications associate Ellen Rogers. >>
Special Places: Cocktails on the river
Come early to City House or Red River Kitchen to grab a seat on the patio. (Photo from Red River Kitchen)
This month in our ongoing special places silver anniversary feature, we suggest a couple of our favorite spots to grab a cocktail (or mocktail) and watch the river flow by. >>
A warm goodbye to longtime office manager Michele Bevis!
Whether helping paddlers come in to shore or aiding staff befuddled by new printers, office manager Michele Bevis was there with a steadfast and most welcome hand. Bon voyage, MB!
While FMR is known for our work at the Capitol and in the communities, forests and prairies along the river, we'd be lost without a strong home base. And that's exactly what Michele Bevis, our office manager, has provided for over 10 years.
So it is with deep gratitude that we say goodbye to Michele as she embarks on her next phase: one relaxing yet adventurous retirement. >>
A record year for river volunteers!
As the outdoor volunteer season comes to a close, we stand in awe of our river stewards' accomplishments. In 2015, some 3,637 people — individuals, families, church, school and neighborhood groups — came together from throughout the metro area to help the Mississippi River at 135 FMR volunteer events. Together they stenciled over 3,000 storm drains with educational messages helping residents connect their yards and streets to our local waters, removed over a thousand bags of invasive species from local parks and natural areas, removed litter from over 20 riverfront sites and installed native prairies and raingardens at six riverfront parks. At the end of our busiest restoration season on record, our community's ability to act on behalf of our local waters and wildlife continues to amaze us.
Join us for a fall hayride, hike or haul! (Heads up: Capacity is limited.)
Join us for a crisp autumn morning in the bluffs above the river Saturday, Oct. 17 in Cottage Grove or Saturday, Oct. 24 in Pine Bend Bluffs near Rosemount. Sign up for the hayride and hike, join the buckthorn hauls — or both!
After exploring and restoring river-lands not normally open to the public, we’ll celebrate our volunteer and community partners’ impact on our local wildlife and waters. Thanks to Cottage Grove partner 3M and Pine Bend partner Flint Hills Resources, there’ll be great food, raffles and other special activities.
Join us above the falls! Showy N Minneapolis trailside planting Oct. 8
Long an industrial zone with little community access, the north and northeast Minneapolis riverfront is undergoing a much-needed transformation. After years of local advocacy and planning work, FMR is proud to host two hands-on fall events within a new portion of the Above the Falls Regional Park. Join us September 10 to help tend the Sheridan Memorial raingarden (pictured above) or October 8 to plant a showy trail-side prairie at Ole Olsen. Capacity is limited so sign up soon!