Critical Area

You may know that the Mississippi River through the Twin Cities is a national park. But few of us know how our special river became a national park in the first place. We interviewed National Park Superintendent John Anfinson about the development proposal that started the fight to protect our park and the surprising role that this exact same site — the potential home for a new River Learning Center — could play in its future.  >>

In this video, we take you to Ford Area C, Ford's toxic riverfront dumpsite in St. Paul. You’ll see the Mississippi lapping at the dumpsite’s edge. What pollution remains there? How much is leaching into our river? We still don’t know enough. >>

Thank you, River Guardians! We deeply appreciate you advocating for clean water and sustainable and equitable development along the river this past year. >

It's not often that a heated community debate about development along the Mississippi River Gorge leads to a building that fits well into this picturesque landscape, but the new addition to Minnehaha Academy does just that. It fits in so well that it's actually hard to see the new building from the parkway! This success story shows how river development can blend in with its surroundings, why it should, and why your voice is crucial in the process.  >>