Thank you, Urban Bird Collective!
In a recent article, the founder of the Urban Bird Collective, Monica Bryand, talks about why she's "building a more diverse, inclusive birding community," and our own Stewardship and Education Director Laura Mann Hill reflects on the power of BIPOC events.
Shout out to the collective for signing on to support the MRRRI Act, too! >>
Thank you, 2021 storm drain stenciling volunteers!
Thanks to hundreds of volunteers, we exceeded our storm drain stenciling goals for 2021 despite our second season of COVID-19. Together, neighbors, classrooms, sports teams, girl scouts, churches and local businesses stenciled 1,615 storm drains in the Twin Cities and shared 2,529 flyers with community members to spread the word about why it's so important to keep our storm drains clean. >>
Cut and bag buckthorn at BF Nelson Park [FULL]
Our work takes place on Dakota homelands. Learn more.
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Join us for a morning of buckthorn removal at BF Nelson Park. This park, across the river from Nicollet Island in Minneapolis, offers scenic walkways and views of the Mississippi River that will be much improved after we remove dense buckthorn from the shoreline.
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Youth education opportunities for winter and spring
Looking for ways to keep classrooms engaged with our environment during the winter months? Or planning ahead for ways to get outside this coming spring? FMR offers a variety of free virtual and in-person education and volunteer opportunities for K-12 groups and individual youth in the greater Twin Cities metro area.
Classroom lessons (virtual and in-person)
FMR staff offer in-person and live virtual lessons to all K-12 classrooms in the greater Twin Cities metro area. Topics include cultural landscapes, invasive species, wetlands, watersheds and erosion.
FMR's fifth water quality mural celebrates community connections to water
Visit Swede Hollow Park in St. Paul to see our latest storm drain mural! Designed by Thomasina Topbear, this mural celebrates connections to the river and water as the lifeblood of our communities. >>
Buckthorn removal bash with Bassett Creek Volunteers
Please join Bassett Creek Volunteers for the fall buckthorn removal in Bassett's Creek Park! Volunteers will cut, pull and haul buckthorn to make way for native plants, learn about the creek watershed, and celebrate afterwards outdoors at Utepils.
All are welcome. This is a family-friendly event with work suitable for all ages. No experience is needed.
Snacks and beverages provided at the event. All participants will receive a Utepils drink ticket to be used afterwards (tickets can be used for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages).
How our volunteer and education programs work on climate change
Our Stewardship and Education program philosophy is based on the fact that people who learn more about and find their own ways to connect with the places around them will be more likely to protect and steward the environment. Here's how our volunteer and education programs plant the seeds for climate change efforts through each event and partnership. >>
Thanks to our summer 2021 Environmental Stewardship Institute assistants
Putting on an 8-week program for the next generation of environmental leaders is a lot of work, and this year, former fellows Naomi and Justine stepped up to help us plan and facilitate. Our assistants reflect on how FMR's summer program has evolved and share insights on their experience as environmental leaders in the program. >>
Longfellow Community Council's River Gorge Festival
Celebrate the Mississippi River Gorge at the annual Longfellow River Gorge Festival!
This community celebration will include free ice cream, canoe rides, live music and more. FMR staff and our Gorge Leadership Team will lead walking tours of the nearby oak savanna so you can see the progress of recent restoration at this site.
This year, we're also celebrating the Longfellow neighborhood becoming certified by the National Wildlife Federation as the first Community Wildlife Habitat in Minnesota.
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Wending streams, backwaters and rare forest birds — Come with us to Gores WMA
We're excited to offer two great ways to get to know this beautiful but lesser-known natural area in Hastings: a virtual bird's eye view plus a hands-on habitat restoration outing with FMR ecologists this September. >>