Water

FMR is proud to be a leading voice in protecting the water of our Big River and all the people and wildlife who depend on it.

From the banks of the Mississippi to the halls of the Legislature, our Water program strives to keep you up to date on important water-quality issues. (For political animals, here are all FMR posts related to legislative advocacy.)

Blog updates are also shared on social (Facebook and Twitter) and in FMR's Mississippi Messages newsletter.

Join us! Sign up to be a River Guardian to receive email action alerts when we need your help the most, plus invitations to educational happy hours and other events.

POSTS

Environment fund to be restored!

Great news! We’re thankful legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Walz agreed to a funding fix that gets shovels in the ground as soon as possible for worthy projects while preserving the citizen-driven Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund voters created 30 years ago. >>

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Action Alert: Tell Minnesota to invest in clean water [CLOSED]

FMR is championing a pair of innovative bills that will protect our water, diversify our croplands, and strengthen rural communities. Please join us in asking legislators to support full funding for Forever Green and the Working Lands Drinking Water Protection Program. >>

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Legislation could protect public wells with clean-water crops

Legislation introduced this month would fund the Working Lands Drinking Water Program. The program will help farmers plant and sell alternative crops that protect drinking water while maintaining farm profitability. As a pilot initiative, it's limited to the state's most vulnerable wellhead areas — places where conservation crops can protect public health.  >>

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How water and agriculture fared in the governor’s budget

On Tuesday, Gov. Walz announced his state budget proposal. We took a look at how our priorities for the river and clean water fared. Our take-away so far? We have some work to do. New investments in environment and agriculture were minor and failed to include full funding for the few initiatives that are essential to achieving Minnesota's clean water goals.  >>

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House and senate introduce full funding for Forever Green

To get to our clean water goals in Minnesota, we need to plant more perennial and cover crops. But these crops need to be profitable before farm operations can effectively make the change. To address this challenge, two bills were introduced in mid-February in the house and senate that will fully fund the University of Minnesota’s Forever Green Initiative.  >>

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Join us for MN Water Action Day • April 10, 2019

Join us for Water Action Day 2019, a day of public action and advocacy to let lawmakers know we care about our water! #ProtectOurWater >>

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FMR’s Molly Pederson testifies for Environmental Trust Fund fix

In late January, a key House committee approved legislation to fix last year’s controversial raid on Minnesota’s Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund. FMR lobbyist Molly Pederson testified in support of the bill.  >>

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Our 2019 legislative priorities

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.  >>

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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. >>

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FMR joins 186 groups supporting revised farm bill

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. >>

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Upcoming Events

Saturday, April 20, 2024 - 9:30am to 12:00pm
West River Parkway and 36th Street/44th Street, Minneapolis
Applications due Friday, May 3 by 5 p.m.
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Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Hampton Woods Wildlife Management Area