Mississippi-Vermillion Heritage Land Registry

A Mississippi-Vermillion Heritage Land Registry sign posted on an enrolled property.

Friends of the Mississippi Rivers Mississippi-Vermillion Heritage Land Registry is an honor roll of landowners who volunteer to protect their land for the benefit of the ecosystems and the wildlife that are found there. The goal of the Registry is to conserve and protect the biological richness of the Mississippi and Vermillion Rivers in Dakota and Washington Counties. Through the Registry, FMR encourages and supports active land management for the health of the natural areas found along the river. Owners of land along the Mississippi and Vermillion Rivers are encouraged to enroll.

The Twin Cities metro area continues to grow. By working now to protect and restore the natural areas along key rivers in the growth areas, development can occur that is sensitive to the regions environmental qualities. Enrolling land in the Registry contributes to a network of neighbors who are aware of the importance and uniqueness of this river corridor and who are taking an active role in stewardship of the land in Dakota and Washington Counties.

The Mississippi River is one of the major migratory flyways in North America. 40% of North Americas waterfowl and neotropical migrant songbirds use this river as a transportantion corridor. The natural areas along the river provide crucial breeding and feeding habitat for these birds and many other animals and plants found along the river. The Registry is designed to assist landowners in their efforts to protect these important areas along this river, and an important tributary, the Vermillion River.

What is the commitment for enrolling in the land Registry?

The Land Registry is a voluntary and non-binding program designed to assist landowners with their land protection and improvement efforts. No financial contribution is required. As a participant in the Registry, landowners are asked only to preserve and protect their property to the best of their ability and to notify Friends of the Mississippi River of any potential threats to their land.

What are the benefits to enrolling land in the Land Registry?

As a participant you will have access to information on:

• Stewardship techniques that will enhance the natural character of your property,
• Potential sources of funding for your land management efforts,
• The natural history and ecology of your land,
• Other landowners in your county who are enrolled and doing similar projects.

How You can get Involved

The Registry focuses on land along the Mississippi and Vermillion Rivers. Landowners along these rivers are encouraged to enroll.

Call Friends of the Mississippi River and a Registry representative will be happy to schedule a visit to provide additional information about the program and conduct an informal survey of plant and animal communities on your property. Please contact us link through our contact page or by calling 651-222-2193 to learn more.