Climate Change

What does our changing climate mean for the Mississippi River? And how is FMR working to curb emissions and create a more resilient river? Check out our latest updates on climate change and what we can do about it.

Climate Change
How our ecologists piece together a site’s past and plan for its future

update

What can the outstretched limbs of a bur oak reveal about the land? Here's how our ecologists find signs underfoot and overhead to understand a place before beginning to restore its habitat. Read more
Bur oak in savanna
How our warm winter affected habitat restoration progress

update

What will the warmest winter on record mean for wildlife? We won't know for awhile. We do know that it got in the way of our usual winter tasks for wildlife habitat restoration. Luckily, our ecologists like challenges. Read more
Open river with snow along the banks
Restoring public oversight of major MPCA decisions

update

We all benefit from community oversight of the biggest, most important agency for pollution regulation in Minnesota. Read more
A flurry of hands in the air, fingers pointed up as if wanting to interject in an important conversation.
Our 2024 legislative priorities

update

It’s time to finish what we started. Here's what FMR will be working to accomplish at the Capitol this year. Read more
The dome of the Minnesota Capitol building, seen in front of an evening blue sky. Text says "MNLEG 2024."
The Atlantic takes on Minneapolis 2040

update

Because of our advocacy for climate-smart dense urban development, national magazine The Atlantic reached out to FMR Land Use & Planning Director Colleen O'Connor Toberman to get our perspective on Minneapolis 2040. Read more
Minneapolis skyline at night
How does FMR evaluate development plans?

update

What do we consider "good" development? FMR keeps tabs on riverfront development proposals and community response to them. Here's an overview of our process and the criteria we use to evaluate potential big changes to our river and its banks. Read more
Mississippi riverfront in Minneapolis with buildings, bridge and Pillsbury Flour sign
A bad idea that won't go away: Diverting the river

update

Despite its high environmental and economic costs, the literal "pipe dream" of diverting water from the Mississippi River to Arizona, Colorado and other dry states won't disappear. Read more
Outline of U.S. with Mississippi River, plus a pipeline splitting off the river to the Southwest

Pages

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 - 6:00pm to 7:15pm
Open Book, Minneapolis
This school year
In your classroom or outside
Apply now for spring through summer program
Sites in Elk River, Hastings or Inver Grove Heights