FMR Updates

by Sophie Downey

update

December 11, 2019

In 2019, volunteers of all ages got their hands dirty with FMR at community volunteer events. Together over 1,400 individuals gave a combined 4,916 hours of service to help protect, enhance and restore the health of the river and our local communities. We're so grateful to our amazing River Stewards! >>

Another brutal year for MN farmers

by Peter LaFontaine

update

December 5, 2019

Wet weather, a trade war, and low crop prices combined to deal a blow to Minnesota's rural communities in 2019.

Why is this Water Blog news? Because the same strategies that FMR supports to reduce river pollution from agricultural sources can also make farms more profitable and resilient long-term. >>

KARE11 covers coyote research after attack

by sue rich

update

December 5, 2019

FMR ecologist and frequent conservation blog contributor Alex Roth was recently featured by KARE11 in a piece on our metro fox and coyote populations.

Although triggered by a coyote attack on an Inver Grove Heights family's beloved dog, Moose, the story referenced the Twin Cities Fox and Coyote Research Project. FMR is a proud partner for the LCCMR-funded project — and we are so glad that Moose is expected to make a full recovery! Watch the video >>

Another banner year for our young river stewards!

by Kate Clayton

article

November 5, 2019

A big thank you to all the young river stewards who helped us protect and restore the Mighty Mississippi in 2019 — all 2,482 of you!

Students stenciled educational messages alongside storm drains, collected trash throughout Twin Cities parks and helped not only restore habitat along the river but research the best ways to keep it healthy in the future. Plus, students in our new pilot program for exploring the environmental field. >>

by Ellie Rogers

update

November 2, 2019

FMR ecologist Alex Roth's earthworm research made it on the cover of the highly regarded professional journal Science at the end of October, the same journal that published the human genome for the first time. >>

Lessons from the Dust Bowl: A cleaner Mississippi is rooted in a new farming paradigm

by Peter LaFontaine

update

November 1, 2019

Our agricultural practices caused disastrous dust storms like this one in Kansas in 1935. Generations later, the way we farm has again led to grave challenges — unsafe drinking water and the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. What can the Dust Bowl teach us about how to move forward? >>

Volunteers create piles for habitat in the Minneapolis river gorge

by Sophie Downey

update

October 31, 2019

Facing a steep climb up tall stairs, FMR staff and River Gorge Stewards opted for a creative way to dispose of invasive buckthorn at a recent volunteer event along the river: create habitat piles. >>