Special places pages

FMR maintains over three dozen habitat restoration and land protection sites in the metro area. Find out more about some of these special places below. 

You can also see a map of all of our protection and restoration sites and learn more about our approach and Land Conservation program.

Special places pages
Father Hennepin Bluff Park
September 13, 2024
This 6-acre natural area nestled under the bluffs below St. Anthony Falls provides a riverside respite for both people and wildlife near downtown Minneapolis. We're working with dedicated community volunteers to restore habitat here. Read more
Father Hennepin Bluff Park bridge below buildings
Seidl's Lake Park
May 22, 2024
A former orchard, sheep and dairy farm, and swimming hole tucked into a corner of both South Saint Paul and Inver Grove Heights, this city park's wooded hillsides are now transforming into a pocket of much-needed habitat within the urban landscape. Read more
Lake at Seidl's Lake Park surrounded by forest
Davis Farm Park
March 19, 2024
Located along the Mississippi River in Otsego, this 17-acre park is small but mighty and boasts six different habitat types that we'll begin restoring in 2024. Read more
Backchannel of the river surrounded by green forest
Sheridan Memorial Park
February 23, 2024
Located along the east bank of the Mississippi River just north of the Broadway Avenue bridge, this site is home to a veterans memorial, an FMR-installed raingarden, and a multi-year community partnership with the Sheridan Neighborhood Organization. Read more
People work in raingarden below sphere memorial
Applewood Preserve
October 23, 2023
An old pasture and orchard turned neighborhood preserve holds nearly 30 acres of oak forest, prairie and woodland pond for wildlife in Maplewood. Read more
Apple trees in field against birch
Settler's Island
July 25, 2023
In the Grey Cloud channel on a 3-acre island once thick with buckthorn, we're planting climate-adapted trees and native understory plants, increasing habitat resilience amidst climate change. You can visit via kayak or canoe! Read more
Volunteers with canoes on island
Hastings Sand Coulee Scientific and Natural Area
July 11, 2023
The Hastings Sand Coulee Scientific and Natural Area harbors the largest native prairie remnant in Dakota County — about 100 acres — along with an outstanding diversity of plants and animals, including nine rare species. Read more
Liatris and goldenrod at Hastings Sand Coulee SNA

Pages

Upcoming Events

Ford Area C walking tours
Three options: August 15, September 17, October 5, 2024
Hidden Falls Regional Park, St. Paul
An Evening Celebrating the Mississippi River
Thursday, September 26, 2024 - 6:00pm
Nicollet Island Pavilion, Minneapolis
National Public Lands Day event: Collect native prairie seed at Vermillion River Linear Park
Friday, September 27, 2024 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Vermillion River Linear Park, Hastings

See all Upcoming Events