Position announcement: Administrative Assistant
FMR is on the lookout for an organized and detail-oriented person with a genuine commitment to protecting the environmental and cultural resources of the Mississippi River. In addition to managing day-to-day administrative tasks, the Administrative Assistant will also be responsible for board of directors administration, some reception work, and assisting with membership data entry. >>
A good sign for habitat: Hastings high schoolers make their mark in the park
Hastings High School students shovel into place the park sign they wrote and designed for Vermillion River Linear Park. Their teacher, Mr. Beattie, has partnered his field biology classes with us to restore natural habitat at this park for five years.
Vermillion River Linear Park is a 60-acre prairie in the heart of Hastings that FMR has worked with students for years to restore. These high school students wanted to make sure passersby knew about the boon to wildlife and water quality right in their backyard. >>
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. >>
New podcast features FMR ecologist and invasive earthworms
The Wandering Naturalist podcast featured FMR ecologist Alex Roth in May. And in June, the featured topic is water, from water quality to water sports. (Image from Three Rivers Park District.)
Three Rivers Park District's new podcast, The Wandering Naturalist, covers fun Minnesota ecology topics from tracking owls to maple syruping. In this episode, FMR ecologist Alex Roth joined the conversation about the effects of invasive buckthorn and earthworms on Minnesota's wildflowers. >>
Stormwater mural celebrates water at Lake Phalen
Artists Liv Novotny and Violeta Rotstein work on the stormwater mural at Lake Phalen.
On the bridge near the pavilion at Lake Phalen, if you look down, you’ll see a new mural. On June 1 at WaterFest, lead artist Liv Novotny and assistant artist Violeta Rotstein led volunteers to paint this beautiful reminder that all roads lead to our waters. >>
How does FMR evaluate development plans?
Behind the scenes, FMR often meets with developers, stakeholders and government officials to shape development proposals like this one at Water Street next to Harriet Island in St. Paul's West Side neighborhood. (Image by DJR Architecture and Reuter Walton Development)
How does FMR evaluate and advocate for sensitive riverfront development, and what's our take on specific proposals being considered right now? This article gives you a glimpse behind the scenes of our River Corridor program's work. >>
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. >>
River access, wildlife habitat, year-round recreation: Cottage Grove’s unique opportunity
A Mississippi Dunes park in Cottage Grove could create access to the river throughout the seasons. (Illustration by Kimberly Boustead and Emily Sauer)
The City of Cottage Grove has the opportunity to turn an old golf course into open space for wildlife and a recreational park for residents and visitors in an area lacking in river access. Here are our top reasons why we should protect this special place from development. >>
2019 legislative update: a special session in the works
With our Legislature's adjournment date passed and no final agreements on most policy and budget issues, a special session will be required. And most major water and conservation issues are yet to be decided. Here are our positions on some of the major issues still in play. >>