We won, you won, the river won: FMR wins the 2026 Mission Advocacy Award!
FMR is excited to share that we just received the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits 2026 Mission Advocacy Award for successfully establishing stronger, more protective state rules for land along the metro river.
Land Use & Planning Program Director Colleen O’Connor Toberman and Executive Director Whitney Clark accepted the award on FMR’s behalf at the council’s annual conference before an audience of over 1,000 nonprofit peers.
Colleen and Whitney were the first to recognize that the victory belongs to thousands of river advocates working for roughly two decades across 25 cities and municipalities throughout the metro.
Among those honored was Irene Jones, FMR’s former River Corridor Program Director, who led the effort to create the rules. Irene often collaborated with citizen advocate Lisa Hondros and former state Senator Katie Sieben, both of whom are featured in the celebratory video that played at the conference (see above).
How updated, improved rules protect the metro Mississippi
Learn more about what the critical area rules guard against — and how they're already working.
Why the rules matter
The long-awaited Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area rule reform will impact the riverfront for generations to come. These clearer, science-based regulations have already proven to be a critical tool in guarding against harmful development.
When a company sought to mine the riverbed in Cottage Grove, state agencies, FMR and others pointed to the updated rules. The company rescinded the proposal.
When the City of Minneapolis approved a request to build on the edge of an erosion-prone bluff, the state Department of Natural Resources filed suit, citing the rules. A judge agreed, overturning the approval.
Now, when there’s a new proposal along the metro stretch of the river (such as the 600 Main Street proposal at the end of the Stone Arch Bridge), the rules are an important part of the conversation. They help guide development proposals toward erosion control, safer buildings and bluffs, buildings that fit with their surroundings, habitat preservation and better public access.
Take a bow!
This award is a testament to everyone who submitted comments, attended a meeting, followed the issue online or donated over the 20-year course of this campaign.
Your contributions have made a significant impact, and together, we made this happen. Thanks to our River Guardians for seeing this campaign through with us and for continuing to advocate alongside FMR for a healthier Mississippi River.
Become a River Guardian
Sign up and we'll email you when important river issues arise. We make it quick and easy to contact decision-makers. River Guardians are also invited to special social hours and other events about legislative and metro river corridor issues.