Special places

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

Applewood Preserve

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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

Settler's Island

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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

Hastings Sand Coulee Scientific and Natural Area

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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

Riverside Park in St. Paul Park

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May 30, 2023

Located along the backwaters of the Mississippi River, this 14-acre park hosts an array of native woodland plants and serves as an oasis along the Mississippi River flyway for migratory birds. Read more

Grey Cloud Dunes Scientific and Natural Area

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December 7, 2022

A 220-acre protected riverfront stretch in Cottage Grove, Grey Cloud Dunes Scientific and Natural Area offers vast views of the river valley and is home to a rare dry prairie that supports an immense diversity of plants, birds and other wildlife. Read more

Volunteers walk up hill at Grey Cloud Dunes

Spring Lake Park Reserve

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November 8, 2022

At Dakota County's Spring Lake Park Reserve along the bluffs of the Mississippi River, our oak forest and prairie restorations are home to more than 80 native plant species. Read more

How we choose sites to protect and restore

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September 1, 2022

Our Land Conservation program has protected and restored more than three dozen sites near the metro Mississippi River. Here's how we decide where to focus our efforts. Read more