restoration

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. >>

Conservation insights from intern Phuong Nguyen

by Betsy Daub

update

January 10, 2020

Phuong Nguyen, an international student from Vietnam, was FMR's fall/winter 2019 intern. She offers perspectives about conservation from her experience with us. >>

My internship highlight: Planting hundreds of native trees on a tiny metro river island

update

January 1, 2020

In this piece by fall-winter 2019 intern Phuong Nguyen, she describes her favorite FMR experience: Canoeing to a small metro Mississippi island to plant 350 native trees. >>

'Tis the season ... to remove buckthorn?

by Alex Roth

update

December 16, 2019

As the snow begins to fall, you'll notice some buckthorn leaves remain green. Find out about the benefits of late-fall and winter removal of this invasive plant. Read more

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Upcoming Events

Join us at the annual river gorge Earth Day cleanup

Saturday, April 19, 2025 - 9:30am to 12:00pm

West River Parkway and 36th Street/44th Street, Minneapolis

Art and Science on the River: Carp Workshop

Saturday, April 19, 2025 - 10:00am to 12:30pm

MWMO, Northeast Minneapolis riverfront

Monitor monarchs with FMR's Pollinator Evaluation Program

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