Wildlife

Wildlife
Watch: FMR's Dr. Julia Leone presents at BeeCon 2024

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Julia spoke about preliminary findings from bumble bee, flower and vegetation surveys conducted at FMR sites. Read more
A bee on blazingstar, with an inset photo og Dr. Julia Leone.
Wild, weird and wonderful: The peculiarities of Minnesota's native bees

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From nectar robbers and buzz pollinators, get to know some of the traits and behaviors that make our native bees stand out. Read more
Bumble bee on sunflower
FMR becoming a powerhouse for pollinator protection

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Two new FMR initiatives are big wins for pollinator protection and research. With good questions and better data to answer them, we can find out what more we can do to make the best possible habitat for pollinators and wildlife. Read more
Rusty-patched bumble bee on liatris
How our ecologists piece together a site’s past and plan for its future

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What can the outstretched limbs of a bur oak reveal about the land? Here's how our ecologists find signs underfoot and overhead to understand a place before beginning to restore its habitat. Read more
Bur oak in savanna
More than 3,000 pollinators — and other interesting findings from our 2023 monitoring

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How much more often did pollinators visit native flowers than non-native flowers? And why are cuckoo bees a good sign? Find out more about our 2023 pollinator surveys, plus new opportunities to get involved in monitoring efforts. Read more
Annika, Julia, a monarch, black and gold bumble bee, red-belted bumble bee
Nectar and ... blood? A surprising source of nutrients for butterflies

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Our new pollinator biologist explains the phenomenon of butterfly puddling — sometimes on blood — and how we can make sure these insects get the nutrients and energy they need. Read more
How a little leaf beetle keeps Canada goldenrod in check

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Sometimes too much of a good thing can be ... too much. That's the case when Canada goldenrod spreads rapidly in our prairie restorations. But over time we've noticed something small making a big impact on plant diversity. Read more
Canada goldenrod on the left, more diverse prairie on the right

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Upcoming Events

Thursday, August 21, 2025 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Pine Bend Bluffs Natural Area at the Flint Hills Resources property, Inver Grove Heights
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 - 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Wabasha Taproom, St. Paul
This school year
In your classroom or outside