Stewardship & Education

Over a thousand metro residents help restore and learn about the health of our metro Mississippi River through FMR events and outings.

We share upcoming public volunteer events to protect and restore natural areas and riverfront parks on our events calendar. We also offer education and volunteer opportunities for youth and educators.

Here's what our stewardship and outreach staff are currently working on behind the scenes, plus more information from program participants and partners.

Follow us on social media (FacebookInstagram and Twitter) and sign up for our Mississippi Messages e-newsletter to stay current on our work.

POSTS

ESI Youth Council efforts aid major legislative win
It was a big year for our high school youth council: advocacy, community engagement, planning, paddling and more. Check out this collection of reflections and photos from the council members. Read more
ESI council members stand in front of the state Capitol
We're hiring: Stewardship & Education Program Director
As we thank our prior director, we're looking for applicants by the end of July to manage this dynamic department. Read more
People canoeing on river, plus text: FMR is hiring! Stewardship & Education Program Director
The river as teacher: A preview of our paddling-centered summer youth program
We're intentionally developing our ESI summer programming to better help youth know, feel and care for the Mississippi River. Here's how we hope to facilitate deeper connections. Read more
ESI members in canoe on the river
Welcome Alex, our new Stewardship & Education Program Associate
Alex will lead our storm drain stenciling and stream health evaluation initiatives. Read more
Alexandra Jabbarpour by the river
From the Mekong to the Mississippi: Sovatha’s river story
"As a young refugee encountering the Mississippi for the first time, I would never have imagined in a million years that in the future I would come full circle, working to care for the river that welcomed me." Read more
Sovatha Oum in field gear at FMR site
Play river gorge bingo
Joining us for our Earth Day cleanup? Find signs of spring and signs of habitat restoration as you volunteer! Read more
Bloodroot plus text: River Gorge Bingo Spring Edition
Paddling with the river we love: Why FMR is steering toward more on-water programming
To foster more chances for Twin Cities youth to deepen their own relationships with the water, we'll be adding more on-water experiences to our programming. Read more
Tip of a canoe in the river by forested area
Educators, sign up for updates!
Sign up and we'll email you when we have new opportunities and resources for teachers and classrooms. Read more
Students work with a watershed model
Earth Day and beyond: Celebrate and steward the river this spring!
Join us for the annual Earth Day cleanup, or get outside with FMR this spring to steward the river! Read more
A family of volunteers at the 2022 Earth Day cleanup
Five things we learned from stream monitoring in 2023
Three teams of volunteers pulled hundreds of samples from streams in 2023, detailing insects and crustaceans present — a key to analyzing stream health over time. Here are five takeaways from our work. Read more
Person in waders samples a stream

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Upcoming Events

Tuesday, July 30, 2024 - 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Rotary Pavilion at Levee Park, Hastings
Saturday, August 3, 2024 - 9:00am to 2:00pm
Mississippi River Gorge, Minneapolis
New date: Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 5 p.m.
Hidden Falls Regional Park, St. Paul