Wanted: SuperVolunteers!
SuperVolunteers Stacy Enzmann and Allan Tokuda preserve wildlife habitat by removing invasive buckthorn at an FMR event. (By Anna Botz Photography)
If you've been to an FMR event, chances are you've encountered a SuperVolunteer wearing their identifying T-shirt with pride. To join their ranks (complete with a coveted T-shirt and special event invitations) volunteers need to participate in four or more hands-on restoration events or contribute 20 hours total throughout the year.
There are still plenty of upcoming events in need of helping hands to attain SuperVolunteer status! Check out the FMR event calendar or contact Volunteer Coordinator Amy Kilgore, akilgore@fmr.org, to get started.
Act now: Save the buffers! Protect our waters
The Minnesota Legislature is considering rolling back the buffer law, undermining critical protection for Minnesota’s public waters.
FMR is asking all supporters of clean water to act now to protect Minnesota’s buffer law. Contact your representatives today!
Pollinators
Wild bee on a lead plant prairie flower in Minnesota.
What is a pollinator?
A pollinator is a wildlife species that visits flowering plants to feed on their nectar, and in the process, transfer pollen from one blossom to another, pollinating the plant. Pollination fertilizes the plant, allowing them to form seeds to reproduce, as well as form the berries, fruits and nuts that feed both wildlife and people.
Welcome Daurius, FMR's new outreach assistant!
A hearty welcome to Daurius Mikroberts! With so much energy, enthusiasm and experience, Daurius is sure to be a great addition to both the FMR office and our outdoor volunteer and education events.
Out of the classroom and into the weeds, woods ... and worms?
This massive ragweed plant is no match for Clare Tipler, the senior from St. Paul Academy who contributed the article below about her experience with FMR field trips. Clare and her class removed invasives from Crosby Park in St. Paul (above), educated their neighbors about river pollution and became citizen scientists for the Mississippi River.
High school senior Clare Tipler shares her adventures working with FMR and her environmental studies class and the surprising lessons learned along the way.
Thank you, volunteers! Plus, the best photos from our 2016 event season
FMR stewardship volunteers planting native shrubs along the River Gorge in south Minneapolis. The native plants will provide much-needed urban wildlife habitat for birds, pollinators and other critters, and also help prevent erosion.
The number of Twin Citians passionate about the Mississippi River never ceases to amaze us. In 2016, over 3,700 people pitched in at 98 FMR volunteer events. It was an honor to work with each of you.
Whether you spent a couple of hours picking up trash with us on Earth Day, hauled brush on a Saturday morning, took the "pledge to pull" this spring, or earned full FMR SuperVolunteer status participating in several events throughout the year, thank you!
And please enjoy a few of our favorite photos from the 2016 event season.
A banner year for FMR's youngest river stewards
American Indian Magnet School students take pride in keeping their school grounds and neighborhood clean, and keeping all the trash from flowing into the streets and the Mississippi River. Thanks to all of our young river stewards for setting such great examples!
This year, youth from throughout the metro river corridor helped us educate Twin Citians about the connection between our homes and streets to the river, restore important natural areas, and research what works best for local ecological restoration projects. Despite all the thunderstorms, 2016 was a fantastic year for FMR youth programs and accomplishments.
Seeds for stewardship: Volunteers collect native prairie seed at Heritage Park
A flourishing prairie. Dozens of volunteers. Fall colors. Heaps of seed collected for future restoration efforts. Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped collect native seed — and to photographer Rich Wahls for capturing such a lovely morning working for the river!
'State of the River' along the Minneapolis River Gorge
The "State of the River Report" presentation is coming to south Minneapolis! Join FMR Water Program Director Trevor Russell to learn about the health of the Twin Cities stretch of the Mississippi River.
Landscape for the River Workshop: Native Plants, Raingardens, Lawn Care for Water Quality (+ Winter Tips)
Whether you're interested in a smaller native planting or want to transform your whole yard into a force for clean water, this FMR workshop can help jumpstart your spring planning. We'll also touch on practices to make your yard (and sidewalks) river-friendlier this winter.
Taught by FMR River Stewardship Coordinator Adam Flett, this presentation receives rave reviews from participants, who also appreciate the high-quality and concise take-home materials.