FMR Updates

A good sign for habitat: Hastings high schoolers make their mark in the park

by Ellie Rogers

article

June 11, 2019

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

by Peter LaFontaine

update

June 11, 2019

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

by Trevor Russell

article

June 11, 2019

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

by Alex Roth

article

June 11, 2019

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

by Kate Clayton

article

June 5, 2019

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. >>

Artists work on the 2019 stormwater mural at Lake Phalen

It's a wrap. How FMR’s priorities fared in the 2019 session

by Trevor Russell

update

May 29, 2019

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

by Betsy Daub

article

May 25, 2019

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. >>