Welcome Colleen and Tessa, farewell Jeanine!
Welcome to our newest staff: Colleen O'Connor Toberman, River Corridor Director, and Tessa Enroth, individual gifts officer
Our office is lively with two new hires: Colleen O'Connor Toberman, our new river corridor director, and Tessa Enroth, new individual gifts officer. Meet them and bid farewell to Jeanine Holden, our former senior development officer and stellar colleague. >>
Celebrate Earth Day with FMR
Volunteers collect litter and recyclables along the Mississippi River Gorge in celebration of Earth Day at the annual cleanup event.
Join us as we clean up the Mississippi River Gorge to celebrate Earth Day. Or sign up to get your hands dirty at one of our many other spring restoration events! >>
Minnesota’s coveted native orchids
Minnesota has almost 50 native orchids. You can find some wild orchids in our metro area.
Though we certainly don’t live in a tropical climate, our state is home to almost 50 native orchids. If you need a reprieve from the muted winter palette, check out our vivid photos of blooming orchids and learn more about some of Minnesota's loveliest plants. >>
Calling all cameras: Citizen science for the Twin Cities Coyote and Fox Research Project
A coyote hunts mice in a wintry field. The new Twin Cities Coyote and Fox Research Project seeks your canine sightings like this one. (Photo by Karen Schik for FMR.)
Coyotes and foxes are mostly secretive animals, but sightings of these species are becoming more and more common throughout the Twin Cities Metro Area. Now, a group of researchers and partner organizations (including FMR) are setting out to better understand how these critters use the urban environment, and maybe just dispel some myths along the way. You can help! >>
Art from invasives: An interview with Kim and Emily
FMR volunteers Emily Sauer and Kimberly Boustead, pictured here at one of our volunteer events, spread invasives awareness through art.
FMR volunteers Kimberly Boustead and Emily Sauer remove buckthorn, garlic mustard and more at our stewardship events. And they also use their creativity to spread awareness about how to stop the spread of invasive species. Read more about their favorite river spots, buckthorn berry ink and a new spin on the muscle tee. >>
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. >>
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. >>
Think spring: Schedule your service and educational programs now
FMR works with many youth and service groups each year. Groups learn about and take care of the river through stenciling outings, cleanups and educational programming. (Photo by Tom Reiter)
Looking forward to warmer weather? We are too! FMR is starting to book spring programs for youth and group outings. If you are interested in a stenciling event, trash cleanup or indoor educational opportunity with FMR staff, we'd love to hear from you soon. >>
How water and agriculture fared in the governor’s budget
On Tuesday, Gov. Walz announced his state budget proposal. We took a look at how our priorities for the river and clean water fared. Our take-away so far? We have some work to do. New investments in environment and agriculture were minor and failed to include full funding for the few initiatives that are essential to achieving Minnesota's clean water goals. >>
FMR opposes Upper Harbor Terminal plan, calls for more community engagement
This city-owned barge terminal in North Minneapolis closed in 2014. On February 19, a city council committee voted to approve a plan that lays out its future, impacting not only this 1 mile stretch of riverfront but the larger Northside community. Amendments to the approved plan promise the process will involve the community. (Photo by Tom Reiter for FMR.)
The Minneapolis Upper Harbor Terminal site is key to improving the North Minneapolis riverfront. Done correctly, the redevelopment of this city-owned site can better connect residents with the river and be a model of sustainability and community wealth-building. So why would the city let private companies take the lead and reap the majority of benefits? >>