Hastings Area Bird Festival
Celebrate the arrival of spring by learning about our regions many bird species.
Join us at the annual River Gorge Earth Day cleanup
Taking place just off of West River Parkway, this cleanup is an Earth Day tradition in the Minneapolis River Gorge. People come from throughout the local river corridor, neighborhoods and metro area – individuals, families, small church, corporate and student or scout groups – to celebrate Earth Day and contribute to the health and vitality of the Mississippi River. All are welcome! This is a family-friendly event providing an excellent opportunity to get outside and work together to help improve this treasured area.
Best of 2015: a photographic year in review
Thank you once again to our dedicated, enthusiastic volunteers! We had a record breaking year and couldn't have done it without you! Take a minute to check out our Best of 2015 Flickr photo album for a glimps of our year in review. We are working away to get the volunteer event schedule for 2016 set and hope to see many new and familiar faces at our upcoming events. FMR would also like to extend our thanks and gratitude to all of our event partners, sponsors and contributing members who help make these events possible.
Group programs and activities available
Students at Dowling Urban Environmental Magnet School in Minneapolis use a model and spray bottle to simulate the role of rain in the Mississippi River watershed.
Are you an educator or youth program coordinator looking for a free, interactive water quality program for your class or group? In addition to our popular outdoor outings, FMR offers many lessons focused on river topics. Lessons are available virtually, online and in-person. All are taught by FMR staff, include an activity, game or demonstration, and are designed to meet state standards. Plus, thanks to our generous funders, they're free.
A record year for river volunteers!
As the outdoor volunteer season comes to a close, we stand in awe of our river stewards' accomplishments. In 2015, some 3,637 people — individuals, families, church, school and neighborhood groups — came together from throughout the metro area to help the Mississippi River at 135 FMR volunteer events. Together they stenciled over 3,000 storm drains with educational messages helping residents connect their yards and streets to our local waters, removed over a thousand bags of invasive species from local parks and natural areas, removed litter from over 20 riverfront sites and installed native prairies and raingardens at six riverfront parks. At the end of our busiest restoration season on record, our community's ability to act on behalf of our local waters and wildlife continues to amaze us.
Join us for a fall hayride, hike or haul! (Heads up: Capacity is limited.)
Join us for a crisp autumn morning in the bluffs above the river Saturday, Oct. 17 in Cottage Grove or Saturday, Oct. 24 in Pine Bend Bluffs near Rosemount. Sign up for the hayride and hike, join the buckthorn hauls — or both!
After exploring and restoring river-lands not normally open to the public, we’ll celebrate our volunteer and community partners’ impact on our local wildlife and waters. Thanks to Cottage Grove partner 3M and Pine Bend partner Flint Hills Resources, there’ll be great food, raffles and other special activities.
Join us above the falls! Showy N Minneapolis trailside planting Oct. 8
Long an industrial zone with little community access, the north and northeast Minneapolis riverfront is undergoing a much-needed transformation. After years of local advocacy and planning work, FMR is proud to host two hands-on fall events within a new portion of the Above the Falls Regional Park. Join us September 10 to help tend the Sheridan Memorial raingarden (pictured above) or October 8 to plant a showy trail-side prairie at Ole Olsen. Capacity is limited so sign up soon!
Three cheers to Twin Cities youth for painting the town!
Thanks to those who have stenciled with FMR so far this year! New photos have been posted on our Flickr page.
Wanted: June prairie & woodland volunteers
Last year, FMR volunteers installed over 5,000 native prairie and woodland plants. These ecological powerhouses filter pollution, reduce erosion and provide much-needed pollinator, bird and wildlife habitat. Join us at one of several June tending events to help these young plants make it through the summer!