Wildlife

Wildlife
Support pollinators

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Small but mighty, pollinators have an enormous job. Without them, most plants — including the crops we eat — couldn’t fruit. Here's how you can support pollinators. Read more
Wild bee on a leadplant prairie flower in Minnesota
Photos: What our wildlife cameras showed this summer

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Our wildlife camera monitoring program provides data that can help us improve habitat restoration. It also provides some very fun pictures. Read more
Deer peeking at wildlife camera
Rare birds flock to little-known Maplewood grassland

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Grassland birds are under immense pressure due to habitat loss, but there's a special corner of habitat near Battle Creek Regional Park. Learn more about this site's uncertain future and how you can get a glimpse of its feathered residents. Read more
Grasshopper sparrow singing
What tiny aquatic insects can reveal about water quality

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Aquatic macroinvertebrates are living water quality indicators. Meet three that our monitoring volunteers sample — and find out what they might mean about stream health. Read more
Three macroinvertebrate watercolors
Where to find herons in the Twin Cities metro near the river

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There's a reason our logo features a heron — we love these birds, and these birds love the river. We've put together a guide to heron hotspots so you can marvel along with us. Read more
Great blue heron approaches nest
Monitor monarchs with FMR's Pollinator Evaluation Program (PEP) [FULL FOR 2025]

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Support monarchs and other pollinators at FMR's Twin Cities metro restoration sites. Read more
A woman with a clipboard in an FMR restoration prairie
Bumble bee habitat: What we've learned from monitoring (so far)

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How can we make the best possible habitat for bumble bees? That's the gist of the question Friends of the Mississippi River is trying to answer.  Read more
Bee on bee balm

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Upcoming Events

Three options: October 20, October 28, November 22, 2025
Hidden Falls Regional Park, St. Paul
Saturday, October 25, 2025 - 9:00am to 12:00pm
3M's oak woodlands, Cottage Grove
Now through October 26, 2025, dawn to 11 p.m.
Raspberry Island, St. Paul