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

Davis Farm Park

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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 began restoring in 2024. Read more

Backchannel of the river surrounded by green forest

Sheridan Memorial Park

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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

Carver Preserve

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October 23, 2023

At a protected Maplewood neighborhood preserve on the east side of the river, we're bringing woodland and prairie habitats back to life with the help of a robust remnant seed bank. Read more

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