Special places

FMR maintains over three dozen habitat restoration and land protection sites in the metro area. Find out more about some of these special places below. 

You can also see a map of all of our protection and restoration sites and learn more about our approach and Land Conservation program.

Special places
Pine Bend Bluffs Natural Area

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August 4, 2010
Critical for wildlife, this 1,300-acre corridor of protected lands along dramatic western bluffs of the Mississippi River south of the metro includes Pine Bend Bluffs SNA, an award-winning restoration, and one of our favorite places to bird. Read more
Pine Bend Bluffs in the fall
Wic̣aḣapi

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June 13, 2025
Wic̣aḣapi is a cemetery built by the ancestors of living Indigenous people, home to the only known remaining burial mounds within the Twin Cities core. FMR has helped restore dry prairie and oak savanna at this sacred blufftop place in St. Paul. Read more
Aerial view of Wic̣aḣapi, river, and downtown St. Paul
Camp Cozy Park

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April 22, 2025
Located on a peninsula along the Elk River, this former summer resort turned 48-acre city park is home to diverse habitats including two remnant prairies, woodlands and river floodplains. Read more
Prairie at Camp Cozy
Rosemount Wildlife Preserve

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April 1, 2025
Restoration at this dedicated wildlife sanctuary has turned an old hay field into a thriving prairie and a thicket of buckthorn into diverse woodland habitat. Read more
Green prairie surrounded by forest
River Heights Park

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March 20, 2025
A beloved community park near the river in Inver Grove Heights was saved from development in 2018 and now features a loop trail for walking and a thriving demonstration pollinator garden. Read more
Aerial view of forest and river
Father Hennepin Bluff Park

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September 13, 2024
This 6-acre natural area nestled under the bluffs below St. Anthony Falls provides a riverside respite for both people and wildlife near downtown Minneapolis. We're working with dedicated community volunteers to restore habitat here. Read more
Father Hennepin Bluff Park bridge below buildings
Seidl's Lake Park

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May 22, 2024
A former orchard, sheep and dairy farm, and swimming hole tucked into a corner of both South Saint Paul and Inver Grove Heights, this city park's wooded hillsides are now transforming into a pocket of much-needed habitat within the urban landscape. Read more
Lake at Seidl's Lake Park surrounded by forest

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Upcoming Events

Plants, pollinators and pints: Native plant gardening with nature educator Angie Hong [WAITLIST]
Thursday, September 4, 2025 - 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative, Minneapolis
Partner event: Longfellow River Gorge Festival
Sunday, September 7, 2025 - 12:00pm to 4:00pm
34th to 36th Streets & West River Parkway Minneapolis
Paddle, restore and learn in the Minneapolis River Gorge [WAITLIST]
Saturday, September 13, 2025 - 8:30am to 4:30pm
Mississippi River Gorge, Minneapolis and St. Paul

See all Upcoming Events