In the Media

FMR is proud to serve as the voice for the Mississippi River and the people who care about it — at the Capitol, in our communities and in the media. Many thanks to the reporters who take the time to cover important river issues.

Northeaster ― September 8, 2022
by Margo Ashmore

FMR has long tended the rain garden at Sheridan Memorial Park. At an event this fall, volunteers pulled invasive plants, and Alex Roth discussed further restoration possibilities.

Sierra Magazine ― August 14, 2022
by Christian Elliott

Invasive carp have a new name, thanks to a push by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Unveiled in June, "copi" is meant to better entice fishers and diners to eat the fish — a valuable management tactic for fish that can create ecological harm in our waterways. The new name also steps us away from a history of framing these fish as scary foreign invaders, or inherently bad. Writer Christian Elliott reached out to FMR for our thoughts on how language can shape our relationship with the natural world. (Find out more on this in our article from April.)

Longfellow Nokomis Messenger ― August 2, 2022
by Andrea Tritschler

Longfellow's Environment and River Gorge Committee partners with Friends of the Mississippi River on cleanups and more. This summer, they also joined us for a lock and dam focus-group tour to learn about the potential for dam removal. FMR Grassroots Organizing Coordinator Maddie Miller is quoted.

Star Tribune ― August 1, 2022
by by Chloe Johnson

This primer explains why we need clean-water crops, their progress so far, and the challenges of developing a market and scaling up production. FMR Executive Director Whitney Clark was quoted.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ― July 25, 2022
by by Madeline Heim & Caitlin Looby

From sediment issues in Lake Pepin to the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River faces enormous challenges. This Wisconsin paper reported on the promise of the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative based on the successes of its model the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. FMR Water Program Director Trevor Russell is quoted. The article was republished through more than a dozen news outlets.

Delta Dispatches ― July 14, 2022

This podcast featured our own Water Program Director Trevor Russell on why it's time for the MRRRI Act and how he got started in the environmental field.

Mill City Times ― July 9, 2022
by Becky Fillinger

Mill City Times interviewed FMR Land Use & Planning Program Director Colleen O'Connor Toberman about our summer lock and dam focus-group tours, why we're doing them and how to participate.

Star Tribune ― July 8, 2022
by Chloe Johnson

Aggregate Industries has mined Grey Cloud Island for sand and gravel for decades. Now the company wants to expand operations into areas of the riverbed itself. The Star Tribune talked to FMR Land Use & Planning Program Director Colleen O'Connor Toberman about the possible risks of digging a hole in the river.

Mpls.St.Paul Magazine ― July 3, 2022

In their tour of beautiful metro parks on the Mississippi River, the magazine mentions FMR's advocacy at Pigs Eye Regional Park.

Star Tribune ― June 30, 2022
by Jennifer Bjorhus

A Mendota Heights property owner's blufftop landscaping was halted due to the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area rules. Colleen O'Connor Toberman, land use and planning program director for Friends of the Mississippi River, commented on the protections and the situation.

KTTC ― June 27, 2022
by by Noah Caplan

FMR called for the state to take action on invasive carp — fish that can cause ecological harm. FMR Land Use & Planning Program Director Colleen O'Connor Toberman explains why.

Star Tribune ― June 16, 2022
by Chloe Johnson
A tagged silver carp farther upstream than any other so far is the latest reminder that we need to take action now to halt the spread of invasive carp in Minnesota's waterways.
The Villager ― May 9, 2022
by Casey Ek
St. Paul's MyVillager profiled our summer engagement tours around metro locks and dams and their possible removal. Their piece quotes FMR's Land Use & Planning Program Director Colleen O'Connor Toberman on the potential.
WCCO ― April 18, 2022
by Kirsten Mitchell
WCCO interviewed Water Program Director Trevor Russell about this troubling (but unsurprising) designation and what we can do about it.
MPR News ― April 17, 2022
by Kirsti Marohn
The Mississippi River made the list of "America’s Most Endangered Rivers." MPR News interviewed Water Program Director Trevor Russell about the Mississippi River Resilience & Restoration Initiative as a solution.

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Upcoming Events

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