Garlic mustard May!
Pull garlic mustard with us! We've got plenty of opportunities to help restore river habitat this May.
'Tis the season for garlic mustard removals. If you've skimmed the FMR events calendar recently, you may have noticed a reoccurring theme: garlic mustard pulls. Prime pulling season typically runs from late-April through May. Learn more about this pesky invader and how you can help. >>
Pull garlic mustard at the river gorge sand flats [FULL]
This event has reached maximum capacity. Read below for instructions to sign up for the waitlist, and we will contact you if anyone cancels their spot for this event. Or, see our full event calendar to choose a different volunteer opportunity.
--
Got a group? Stencil storm drains with us!
Note: We're watching public health guidelines closely. All stenciling programs are canceled or postponed until at least May 1, 2020. We're also working to provide online lessons and alternative independent activities for registrants impacted by coronavirus cancellations.
Sign up here if you'd like us to email you when we reactivate stenciling outings.
Celebrate Earth Day and beyond with FMR
Volunteers collect litter and recyclables along the Mississippi River Gorge in celebration of Earth Day at the annual cleanup event.
There were more volunteers than ever (over 400!) at this year's Mississippi River Gorge Earth Day cleanup. If you missed it, you can still get your hands dirty at one of our many habitat restoration events. >>
Help pull weedy invasive plants at St. Paul Park's Riverside Park
Join us for a volunteer work night at St. Paul Park's Riverside Park. Located near the backwaters of the Mississippi River, consisting of 14-acres of oak forest, Riverside Park is a nature study area. Maintaining this park's natural state provides much-needed habitat and resources for local critters of all kinds, and serves as an oasis along the Mississippi River flyway for migratory birds.
Think spring: Schedule your service and educational programs now
FMR works with many youth and service groups each year. Groups learn about and take care of the river through stenciling outings, cleanups and educational programming. (Photo by Tom Reiter)
Looking forward to warmer weather? We are too! FMR is starting to book spring programs for youth and group outings. If you are interested in a stenciling event, trash cleanup or indoor educational opportunity with FMR staff, we'd love to hear from you soon. >>
Local muralist Liv Novotny to create FMR's third water quality mural
An example of a mural that artist Liv Novotny created for another local nonprofit organization. Novotny will design and install a water quality mural for FMR in St. Paul this summer. (Photo used with permission.)
As we look to the new year, FMR is excited to announce the selection of Liv Novotny as the lead artist for our third water quality mural project. Novotny will work with the community to design and install a water quality mural in St. Paul this summer. >>
Thank you, River Stewards!
FMR Super Volunteer Allan Tokuda tends native prairie at Ole Olson Park in North Minneapolis. Over 700 people volunteered at FMR projects like this in 2018, contributing more than 3,000 hours to habitat creation, restoration and stewardship. (Photo by Tom Reiter for FMR)
In 2018, volunteers of all ages got their hands dirty with FMR at community events. Together over 700 individuals gave a combined 3,082 hours of service to help protect, enhance and restore the health of the river and our local communities. In gratitude, we've gathered some of our favorite photos from this restoration season. >>
Young river stewards hit it out of the park once again
Andersen United Community School students have removed garlic mustard from the Minneapolis gorge for the past three years. This year, they beat the FMR record for amount of plants removed at one event. In two hours, 82 students removed 23 bags of garlic mustard.
A giant thank you to the hundreds of young river stewards who helped us protect and restore the mighty Mississippi this year. >>
River Heights Park saved, restoration begins!
Inver Grove Heights residents, including many FMR River Guardians, helped save this park!
After hearing from dozens of community members (including many FMR River Guardians), the Inver Grove Heights city council unanimously voted to save River Heights Park on Monday, May 14.
The council had been considering carving up and selling the 7.5-acre undeveloped natural area as three 2.5-acre lots for housing developers. Instead, the city, FMR and neighbors are going to work together to make the park more accessible — adding a park sign and bench, with details to be determined — while keeping it a natural area and restoring important bird habitat. >>