FMR Updates

by sue rich

article

November 10, 2015

As the outdoor volunteer season comes to a close, we stand in awe of our river stewards' accomplishments. In 2015, some 3,637 people — individuals, families, church, school and neighborhood groups — came together from throughout the metro area to help the Mississippi River at 135 FMR volunteer events. Together they stenciled over 3,000 storm drains with educational messages helping residents connect their yards and streets to our local waters, removed over a thousand bags of invasive species from local parks and natural areas, removed litter from over 20 riverfront sites and installed native prairies and raingardens at six riverfront parks. At the end of our busiest restoration season on record, our community's ability to act on behalf of our local waters and wildlife continues to amaze us.

Friends of the Mississippi River volunteers help protect water quality and wildlife habitat

More development coming to Saint Paul's West Side

by Irene Jones

article

November 9, 2015

An exciting new riverfront development project planned for Saint Paul's West Side Flats will add commercial space with a strong pedestrian connection to the river esplanade, plus market rate and affordable housing.

The green amidst the gray: the distinctive phenology of non-native shrubs

by Alex Roth

article

November 9, 2015

It’s finally (or already!) November and the leaves have fallen from the trees. Well, not quite all of them. If you take a close look at a nearby forest, you’ll likely notice a dense layer of green still present in the shrub layer. What are these shrubs and why are they still green when other species have all dropped their leaves? In and around the Twin Cities, it’s a good bet that these shrubs are either common buckthorn or one of a few species of bush honeysuckles, and their “distinctive phenology” actually plays a large part in their success in Minnesota’s forest ecosystems.

A layer of green on an otherwise gray and brown backdrop is evidence of buckthorn’s distinctive phenology.

How will Minnesota implement the new buffer law?

by Trevor Russell

article

October 12, 2015

One of FMR's top priorities during this year's legislative session was passage of Governor Dayton's much-discussed Buffer Initiative. While a substantially revised (and watered-down) version of Governor Dayton's proposal did become law, implementation of the law will be critical to its success.

Buffers of perennial vegetation help protect Minnesota's land, water, and wildlife

St. Paul reveals exciting plans for river balcony park

by Alicia Uzarek

article

October 12, 2015

Saint Paul River Balcony rendering from the Great River Passage Plan

New FMR film about our local national park — Watch the trailer and sign up for the premiere!

by Whitney Clark

article

October 8, 2015

by Alicia Uzarek

article

September 11, 2015

The U.S. EPA’s Clean Water Rule, an update to the Clean Water Act of 1972, went into effect on August 28, 2015. Before the rule was finalized, North Dakota led 13 states in challenging the legality of the rule, exempting them from the rule until the courts make a decision. Now others are questioning whether enforcement of the rule in all states should halt while the courts decide its legality.