FMR Updates

Painted turtles and pink lotus flowers help keep our waters from turning green

by Kate Clayton

July 2, 2018

Ever wondered why so many metro lakes turn green in the summer?

For St. Paul's Lake Como and many others, one main reason is nutrients that come from neighborhood lawns and streets. After it rains, fertilizer, leaves and grass clippings are directed into our local lakes, creeks and rivers via storm drains, in turn feeding algae and excessive plant growth.

At Como, a pair of murals reminds us of this important connection between our yards, streets, lakes and rivers, and celebrates the community in the process. >>

Storm drain mural contains music and fish to connect it to como park and hands representing our responsibliity to care for the lake

Future of Mpls. locks and dams uncertain — Public meetings July 16 & 17

by Irene Jones

June 14, 2018

Will we stay the course or are rapids on the horizon? The Army Corps of Engineers is studying its options for the Minneapolis locks and dams and holding public meetings in Minneapolis and St. Paul on this topic July 16 and 17. >>

Albert Bierstadt's "The Falls of St. Anthony" (detail)

FMR's annual fall event to feature artist Seitu Jones

June 12, 2018

FMR is pleased to announce that Seitu Jones will be the keynote storyteller at our signature annual event, "An Evening Celebrating the River," September 20 in downtown Minneapolis.

In his five-decade career, Jones has been a fixture of the Twin Cities’ art, environmental, agricultural and water communities.

This year's theme is "The River Inspires," and we're shining the spotlight on the special connection between the river and our thriving arts community. >>

by Alex Roth

June 11, 2018

This spring, we kept a close eye on our habitat restoration projects to see if they're paying off for wildlife. If our sightings are any indication, we’re certainly on the right track!

Red-headed woodpeckers were spotted in one of our oak savanna restoration areas, tadpoles wriggled in just-created wetland basins, and turtles were quick (relatively) to take advantage of newly built nest protection sites. >>

Red-headed woodpecker, baby snapping turtle, chorus frog

State approves $15 million for big N Mpls. river project

by Alicia Uzarek

June 5, 2018

The 2018 Minnesota legislative session resulted in very good news for a 48-acre riverfront site in North Minneapolis known as the Upper Harbor Terminal. An influx of $15 million state dollars will help kickstart its redevelopment into housing, offices, stores, restaurants, an amphitheater, parks and trails. >>

How our environment and the Mississippi River fared during the 2018 legislative session

by Trevor Russell

June 4, 2018

While many of the most troubling bills and provisions were eventually defeated this Minnesota legislative session, a mixed bag of stand-alone items were passed and signed into law. ...And, oh yeah, the Legislature unnecessarily raided $98 million from the state’s voter-approved Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund.. >>

Action alert: Urge 5 changes to MN bonding bill

May 15, 2018

It's the last week of Minnesota's 2018 legislative session and your support is needed! Ask Gov. Mark Dayton and your legislators to make five changes to the bonding bill to better support clean water and parks. >>