Watershed Protection

Watershed Protection
Check out our stream health report from 2025 monitoring

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Here's what we found out about water quality by sampling tiny aquatic insects in the Rice Creek watershed last year. Read more
2025 SHEP volunteer at stream training, 18 volunteers and field training instructor stand by water with waders and gear.
Volunteers monitor small insects to gain big insights into water quality

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FMR’s Stream Health Evaluation Program has delivered vital scientific data for nearly two decades. Read more
Person monitors stream
Just released: Stream health report from 2024 monitoring

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Our volunteers' waders are dry. Our biologist has waded through the data. Here's what we found out about water quality by sampling tiny aquatic insects in the Rice Creek watershed last year. Read more
Two SHEP volunteers wade in stream
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
FMR urges MPCA to develop long-overdue nitrate standards

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How much nitrate in our surface waters is safe for plants and animals? We don't know, because the MPCA still hasn't established standards. Read more
An MPCA staffer in waders reaches down to get a sample from shallow waters.
FMR now a Water Over Nickel partner

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FMR signs on as a partner to Water Over Nickel to oppose the negative consequences of nickel mining. Read more
Minnesota wetland
What the lottery-backed environment fund has made possible for the Mississippi River

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Vote YES to rededicate lottery funds to our great outdoors this fall. This fund has helped uncover the hidden risks of triclosan, restore 1,000+ acres of habitat, figure out the best way to deter invasive carp, advance clean-water crops and more. Read more
Pine Bend Bluffs SNA in the fall with a view of the river from bluffs

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Upcoming Events

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Near the Mississippi River backwaters, St. Paul Park
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 - 7:00pm
Dual Citizen Brewing, St. Paul
Thursday, May 28, 2026 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Part of the Northern Dakota County Greenway, Rosemount