The City of Minneapolis is moving quickly to advance the proposed Upper Harbor Terminal Concept Plan along 1 mile of riverfront in Northside Minneapolis. The plan allows private interests to take the lead and reap the majority of benefits from this publicly-owned property.
Minneapolis residents, join us in telling your city council representative and Mayor Frey that we can do better before the council's committee meeting on February 19. >>
A key theme of the Mississippi Gorge plan update will be to preserve the natural character and tranquil setting along the river's edge. Natural surface trails in the floodplain may get improvements, but they will continue to be for pedestrian traffic only. (Photo by Lyndon Torstenson for MNRRA)
Master plans for three treasured regional parks in the heart of the urban Twin Cities are getting updated this year — the Mississippi Gorge Regional Park in Minneapolis, Hidden Falls Regional Park and Crosby Farm Regional Park in St. Paul. In late January and early February, community members will have an opportunity to see the plans and to weigh in. >>
Two workshop participants display their buckthorn wreath creations. (Photo by Shanai Matteson for Water Bar & Public Studio)
For some in the do-it-yourself crowd, wreath-making has become a fun way to create holiday decor. This past December, FMR and two local artists put a unique spin on this DIY theme, hosting an open studio wreath-making event with one big twist… we used invasive buckthorn. >>
A view of the Mississippi River looking across to Lower Grey Cloud Island from the former site of Mississippi Dunes Golf Links. Preservation and restoration of this site could improve habitat for pelicans and other wildlife.
FMR is leading the charge to acquire and restore a once-manicured golf course in Washington County. Learn more about this opportunity and our hope to transform the former golf fairways and putting greens back to their natural state. >>
Kicking off the return of our annual Legislative Blog, here's a summary of FMR's top three legislative priorities this session: Forever Green, Working Lands and fixing the Environmental Trust Fund raid. >>
An example of a mural that artist Liv Novotny created for another local nonprofit organization. Novotny will design and install a water quality mural for FMR in St. Paul this summer. (Photo used with permission.)
As we look to the new year, FMR is excited to announce the selection of Liv Novotny as the lead artist for our third water quality mural project. Novotny will work with the community to design and install a water quality mural in St. Paul this summer. >>
Downtown Minneapolis glows above the Mississippi at the end of the Stone Arch Bridge.
Where do FMR staff visit and explore our metro Mississippi River? We've featured 30 of our favorite places on this map. Be sure to check out the links to guides curated by experience and region below. >>
FMR Super Volunteer Allan Tokuda tends native prairie at Ole Olson Park in North Minneapolis. Over 700 people volunteered at FMR projects like this in 2018, contributing more than 3,000 hours to habitat creation, restoration and stewardship. (Photo by Tom Reiter for FMR)
In 2018, volunteers of all ages got their hands dirty with FMR at community events. Together over 700 individuals gave a combined 3,082 hours of service to help protect, enhance and restore the health of the river and our local communities. In gratitude, we've gathered some of our favorite photos from this restoration season. >>
FMR was one of 186 national, state and local organizations to thank Congress for strong conservation provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill and urge its timely passage. >>
Grey Cloud Island near Cottage Grove is FMR Administrative Assistant Raynette Prince's favorite river place. (Photo by Tom Bell for FMR.)
There are too many special river places to list — far more than 25 — so we'll close out our 25th-anniversary series with a few of our staff's favorite spots: the places we visit for solitude or critter watching or fishing, places that connect us deeply to the river and inspire us to do this work. >>