FMR Updates

September 9, 2019

Endangered species, fishers, fields of monarchs — FMR ecologists encounter them all at our 37 habitat restoration sites.

On our new conservation blog, learn more about what our ecologists see in the field, the special places we're working to protect and how we restore habitat. >>

The rusty patched bumblebee: What’s all the buzz about?

by Karen Schik

September 9, 2019

A lone male rusty patched bumblebee found in August at an FMR-restored savanna represents 0.2 percent of the known population worldwide. Necessary not only for native wildflower reproduction, but also for creating seeds and fruits that feed wildlife as diverse as songbirds and bears, our state bee could use your help. >>

FMR presents an evening with American Routes' Nick Spitzer and WCCO's Jearlyn Steele October 2019

by John Czyscon

September 9, 2019

An Evening Celebrating the Mississippi River on October 3 will feature public radio’s producer of "American Routes" Nick Spitzer who will take us on a journey from the headwaters down south to the mouth through music and storytelling. WCCO's Jearlyn Steele returns to the stage as our emcee. >>

An Evening Celebrating the Mississippi River featuring Nick Spitzer and Jearlyn Steel

FMR graduates its first Youth Empowerment Program participants

by Sophie Downey

September 9, 2019

Through canoe trips, guest speakers, pollinator surveys and more this summer, we worked with high-school aged youth from the metro area to explore career possibilities and build skills in the environmental field. Learn more about our new Youth Empowerment Program and see these leaders' capstone projects (which included monarchs, jars of river water, and even a baby painted turtle). >>

One of the program participants removes invasive species on a rainy day at Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary

Area C: The overlooked Ford site

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

September 8, 2019

Did you know that Ford Motor Company owns a hazardous waste dump right on the river's edge in the middle of St. Paul? FMR has been a longtime advocate to clean up this site. As the process ramps up in the coming months, we'll need you to join us in taking action. >>

It's monarch migration season!

by Ellie Rogers

September 6, 2019

Fall brings chances to spot monarch roosts — dozens of butterflies gathering together on their migration south. FMR ecologist Karen Schik found hundreds earlier this week and sent these videos back from a visit to our prairie restoration at Flint Hills Resources in Inver Grove Heights. >>

FMR's ecologists investigate how to suppress buckthorn

by Betsy Daub

September 5, 2019

As anyone who's joined FMR at a restoration volunteer event knows, buckthorn is particularly difficult to eradicate. This invasive plant often thwarts restoration efforts by returning to sites where it's been pulled and hauled away. What if we could find a way to suppress its regrowth? >>