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

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

Riverside Park in St. Paul Park

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

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

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

South Branch Vermillion River Aquatic Management Area

June 16, 2022

Located along a newly re-meandered stretch of the South Branch of the Vermillion River, this 24-acre woodland-turned-savanna is now a showcase for successful savanna restoration. >>

William H. Houlton Conservation Area

June 14, 2022

At the William H. Houlton Conservation Area — one of the largest undeveloped riverfront properties in the metro — we're restoring 160 acres of soybean field and grazed grasslands into prairie and oak savanna, plus stewarding over 150 acres of upland and floodplain forest at the confluence of the Elk and Mississippi rivers. >>

Orvin 'Ole' Olson Park

April 7, 2022

This former railyard is now a restored prairie on the Mississippi River in North Minneapolis. Along with the pollinator demonstration garden, Ole Olson Park adds vital habitat to our urban corridor and a beautiful riverfront spot for residents. >>