Land Conservation
The metro Mississippi River is known for scenic bluffs, floodplain forests, prairies and shorelands. Unfortunately, these habitats are disappearing quickly in the Twin Cities metro as new development displaces natural landscapes.
Through its Land Conservation program, FMR works with public and private landowners, local governments and concerned residents to protect and restore critical lands ecologically linked to the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities metro area.
FMR protects critical lands and improves climate resilience through planning, land protection and natural resources restoration services.
FMR approaches land conservation in a strategic, systematic way. We begin by identifying natural areas and other important lands that can contribute to a healthy, diverse and dynamic river ecosystem.
Only after gaining a better understanding of what land is important for us to focus on do we reach out to the landowners, public or private.
If a landowner is interested in permanently protecting their property, we help them explore their options and often guide them throughout the land protection process.
We've partnered with many landowners, agencies and organizations to protect thousands of acres of land critical to the health of the greater Twin Cities metro Mississippi River corridor.
A third and vitally important component of our program is to assist landowners, both private and public, in restoring and enhancing natural communities on their property.
Working with contractors and thousands of volunteers, we've conducted restoration and enhancement activities on over 2,500 acres — land that now contains habitat where little existed before.
Conservation updates
