Minnesota wildlife

Help us collar backyard fox and coyote for important research

by Alex Roth

update

September 1, 2020

Have you seen a coyote or fox on your Twin Cities property? If so, let us know if you'd be willing to let our research partners capture and collar these animals! It will help us understand how they're adapting to urban areas, and inform our habitat management strategies for these species. >>

Tackling the issue of fishing line for wildlife

update

July 28, 2020

We've written a lot about how anglers can help our waters and wildlife by avoiding lead tackle. But another key action is disposing of fishing line responsibly. Jonathan, a Youth Empowerment Program participant this summer and avid fisher, built and installed a PVC fishing line receptacle at Hidden Falls Park. He's also got some tips for dealing with fishing line. >>

FMR members make a difference for Twin Cities Coyote and Fox Project

by Alex Roth

update

April 7, 2020

Hundreds of you responded to our call to support a U of M study to better understand canid species and how they use the urban metro. Now that the first field season is complete, we chatted with Nick McCann of the Twin Cities Coyote and Fox Project to hear about how the year went and how FMR members played an important role in its success. >>

Counting critters at Pine Bend Bluffs, our longest-running restoration

by Karen Schik

update

March 9, 2020

Over the last 20 years at Pine Bend Bluffs, we've converted a buckthorn forest to oak savanna and a Siberian elm canopy to prairie. Now we're monitoring the site to see how wildlife is responding. Read more

The abundant prairie: A William H. Houlton Conservation Area wildlife update

by Alex Roth

update

February 28, 2020

In just its second year, the restoration project at Houlton is yielding impressive wildlife gains: from 16 bumblebees in the first year to 575 now, from 15 kinds of butterflies to 25. These results show progress toward the thriving habitat we hoped to create. >>

Spotting rare, native ladybugs

by Karen Schik

update

February 10, 2020

Lady beetles (also called ladybugs) are one of the most common insects we encounter in summer. They may be the first insects toddlers can identify, easily recognizable because of their bright red color and contrasting black spots. But almost all of the ladybugs you're likely to see aren't native. What happened to our 50 native species? >>

The tail of the prairie skink: A story of loss and restoration

by Alex Roth

update

February 9, 2020

The prairie skink can lose and regrow its tail. Through our restoration work, we're hoping to create a story of regrowth for its favorite habitat: prairies near streams. >>