FMR Updates

Veteran FMR staffers assume new volunteer and communication roles

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January 14, 2016

Friends of the Mississippi River is excited to announce key staff changes in the new year. As we grow and take on new work, we're adapting our staffing to better address the huge range of activities in the works for 2016.

FMR's new communications manager and volunteer coordinator

N/NE Minneapolis riverfront regional park continues to grow

by Alicia Uzarek

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January 11, 2016

Good news: The Minneapolis park board now owns over half the land needed to bring continuous riverfront parks and trails to the banks of the Mississippi River in north and northeast Minneapolis. FMR is continuing to advocate for and support the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s acquisition work while also investigating ways to work with north Minneapolis residents to increase and strengthen their local riverfront access.

A little more green, please — for our waters and our riverfront communities. (Aerial view, from the north, above Saint Anthony Falls.) Courtesy City of Minneapolis

Oh, deer. Whitetails and Minnesota's future forests

by Alex Roth

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January 11, 2016

Perhaps drinking from the river or bounding through blufflands, deer are a welcome sight on any oudoor excursion. From an ecological perspective, however, an overabundance of deer are creating problems. It turns out many uncommon native plants are especially tasty. But invasive species such as buckthorn and garlic mustard? Not so much. Compounded by earthworms and climate change, our treasured whitetails may play a large role in the future of our forests.

Unfortunately, deer don't enjoy munching on invasive plant species.

New report highlights major flaws in state's agricultural water quality certification program

by Trevor Russell

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December 14, 2015

New visitor center is centerpiece of Fort Snelling’s 2020 vision

by Irene Jones

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December 9, 2015

As Fort Snelling approaches it’s bicentennial in 2020, the Minnesota Historical Society is gearing up for exciting changes to the site, including a new visitor center, improved trails and wayfinding, less surface parking, and a renewed focus on the historical significance of this special place perched high above the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers.

Northern Metal Recycling may be looking to move away from the river

by Irene Jones

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December 9, 2015

Now that commercial barging in Minneapolis is no more, big changes could be coming to the riverfront in North Minneapolis—and much sooner than expected.

Restoring prairie and savanna in an old rail yard

by Alex Roth

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December 9, 2015

After a summer of planning, restoration is in full swing at Ole Olson Park. So far, the transformation at the site north of downtown Minneapolis has been dramatic. Restoration will continue in 2016 with the installation of roughly two acres of native prairie.