Rain, rain, go away: river flooding continues
Tired of all of the rainstorms yet? This year has been a historically wet and flood-prone year, impacting cities, towns and farms across the Midwest. In this news roundup, find out what's happening and why it matters. >>
Welcome, Peter — our new agricultural policy manager
Bringing a decade of experience in environmental advocacy and campaign management, Peter LaFontaine will coordinate our agricultural clean-water advocacy efforts in our newest position at FMR. >>
It's a wrap. How FMR’s priorities fared in the 2019 session
The 2019 Legislative Session kicked on in January with Governor Walz presiding over the only divided state legislature in the nation.
This led to some core disagreements, missed deadlines and an assorted bag of victories and compromises for Minnesota's environment and the Mississippi River.
Here’s a brief summary of the major items we were tracking, and how each turned out. >>
Action Alert - Say ‘no’ to environmental cuts, raids and rollbacks in SF2314 [CLOSED]
With less than two weeks to go, legislators are meeting to craft a final environment budget & policy bill. Please act today to tell your legislators: “No cuts, rollbacks and raids in the omnibus environment bill!” >>
Action Alert - Fully fund Forever Green [CLOSED]
With just two weeks left in the legislative session, the Minnesota House has proposed full funding for the Forever Green Initiative but the Senate has not. Act today to support FMR's top legislative priority: Full funding Forever Green to protect the Mississippi River and support Minnesota's rural communities. >>
Water Action Day 2019 a success! ...Despite the snowstorm
Despite the sudden spring blizzard, over 450 Minnesotans from across the state joined us at the Capitol for a day of action and advocacy. Together, they attended trainings on a range of issues, met individually with almost a quarter of the Minnesota Legislature, participated in the first Water Town Hall and rallied for clean water. >>
Today is Water Action Day! Ask your legislators to #ProtectOurWater [CLOSED]
Today is Water Action Day! If you can't join us at the Minnesota State Capitol, participate remotely by emailing your legislators and asking them to #ProtectOurWater!
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. >>
Position announcement: Agricultural Policy Coordinator [FILLED]
The Agricultural Policy Coordinator is a new position that will develop and advocate for agricultural policy priorities and work to establish an effective agricultural-water coalition. The position is open until filled. >>
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. >>