Research

Fishing for fishers: FMR supports a new study

update

October 11, 2022

Why is the fisher expanding its range to the southern part of the state, including the Twin Cities? Why is its population declining? FMR is partnering on a University of Minnesota study of this elusive member of the weasel family to help find out. Read more

How can we reduce buckthorn and preserve native plants? The results are in!

by Karen Schik

update

March 25, 2022

In 2018, we started a three-year research project at Hampton Woods Wildlife Management Area to find out which methods of buckthorn control best protect and encourage native plants. And now the results are in! >>

Measuring success: recent pollinator surveys at FMR-restored prairies

by Alex Roth, by Karen Schik

update

February 7, 2022

Just as our breeding bird surveys have shown more birds and more species using FMR-restored prairies, our latest pollinator surveys further demonstrate the wildlife benefits of restored habitats. >>

FMR ecologist makes the cover of Science for earthworm research

by Ellie Rogers

update

November 2, 2019

FMR ecologist Alex Roth's earthworm research made it on the cover of the highly regarded professional journal Science at the end of October, the same journal that published the human genome for the first time. >>

Snapping turtle hatchlings protected from predators

by Ellie Rogers

article

September 10, 2018

Our wildlife cameras caught baby snapping turtles hatching in peace thanks to our new wildlife nest enclosure at Spring Lake Islands Wildlife Management Area. >>

Cheers to Flannery & her award-winning earthworm research with FMR!

by Alex Roth

article

March 12, 2018

In 11th grade, Flannery Enneking-Norton went on a field trip with her class and FMR staff to Crosby Farm Regional Park in St. Paul. Their task? To identify and count certain plant and insect species, including invasive earthworms. As they wriggled from the ground, Enneking-Norton was smitten.

Since then, the St. Paul Academy high-schooler has been working hard to help FMR better understand the relationship between earthworms and their fellow invasive species, European buckthorn, at our habitat restoration sites.

Flannery Enneking-Norton stands with her award-winning project at this month's Twin Cities Regional Science Fair.

If you build it, will they come? Investigating whether restored habitat means more wildlife.

by Karen Schik

article

February 9, 2018

Since the creation of our land conservation program over 20 years ago, FMR has protected, restored or enhanced over a thousand acres of prairie, forest, wetland and other types of wildlife and pollinator habitat in the metro area. But does increasing native habitat result in the return of native animals?

Learn about bird surveys, wildlife cams and our work with local high schools to find out. >>