River Guardians

The untold story of our national park's founding

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

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April 29, 2020

You may know that the Mississippi River through the Twin Cities is a national park. But few of us know how our special river became a national park in the first place. We interviewed National Park Superintendent John Anfinson about the development proposal that started the fight to protect our park and the surprising role that this exact same site — the potential home for a new River Learning Center — could play in its future. >>

Action Alert: Support bonding for the River Learning Center [CLOSED]

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April 10, 2020

With your support, the City of St. Paul could begin work on a new River Learning Center later this year. This special site would strengthen public access to the river and serve as a destination for the National Park Service, environmental learning, and recreation. >>

Area C community meeting draws crowds and questions

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

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February 21, 2020

At a recent community meeting, 150 residents gathered to hear about the history and future of Area C, the Ford Motor Company's hazardous waste pile sitting on the floodplain in St. Paul. Out of the many questions raised, one in particular didn't have a clear answer: Will anyone make Ford clean up its mess on the Mississippi River? >>

What matters to our River Guardians in 2020

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February 10, 2020

Thank you for taking our Legislative Priorities Survey! See which issues our River Guardians value and what they had to say about what Minnesota can do for our river this session. >>

Ford Area C (video)

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January 30, 2020

In this video, we take you to Ford Area C, Ford's toxic riverfront dumpsite in St. Paul. You’ll see the Mississippi lapping at the dumpsite’s edge. What pollution remains there? How much is leaching into our river? We still don’t know enough. >>

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

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January 10, 2020

All along our great river — from the Upper Harbor Terminal in Minneapolis to Lilydale's river bluffs and beyond — you helped FMR's river corridor program secure equitable river access and important environmental protections. Read about some of our 2019 accomplishments and sign up to join us in 2020. >>

Thank you, River Guardians!

by Sophie Downey

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December 11, 2019

Thank you, River Guardians! We deeply appreciate you advocating for clean water and sustainable and equitable development along the river this past year. >