Conservation

FMR works with landowners, government agencies and concerned residents — including hundreds of volunteers — to protect and restore bluffs, prairies, forests and other lands important to our communities and the health of our metro Mississippi.

Here's what our conservation staff are currently working on and encountering in the field.

Learn more about all our protection and restoration sites at our conservation map, as well as more information about our approach and program.

Conservation updates are also shared on social media (Facebook and Twitter) and in our Mississippi Messages newsletter.

POSTS

Habitat piles: Readers' questions answered

by Alex Roth

November 20, 2019

We received a number of emails in response to our earlier update on FMR's wildlife habitat pile event in the river gorge. Most people seem to be excited about the idea that removing invasive species (buckthorn, in this case) could result in additional habitat creation. Others loved the idea and wanted more specific information about how to build those piles. Here we address a few questions and provide some helpful links. >>

Vermillion Falls Park: take a walk with walking fern

by Karen Schik

November 5, 2019

Where can you walk through a dry waterfall, find karst topography, encounter a walking fern, meet ancient bur oak trees and see the oldest operating flour mill in the state? Vermillion Falls Park in Hastings! Oh, and there's a large rushing waterfall here as well. >>

FMR ecologist makes the cover of Science for earthworm research

by Ellie Rogers

November 2, 2019

FMR ecologist Alex Roth's earthworm research made it on the cover of the highly regarded professional journal Science at the end of October, the same journal that published the human genome for the first time. >>

Volunteers create piles for habitat in the Minneapolis river gorge

by Sophie Downey

October 31, 2019

Facing a steep climb up tall stairs, FMR staff and River Gorge Stewards opted for a creative way to dispose of invasive buckthorn at a recent volunteer event along the river: create habitat piles. >>

Have you seen a metro fox or coyote recently?

by Karen Schik

October 29, 2019

If you live in the Twin Cities Metro area and have seen gray fox, red fox or coyotes or their tracks, we could use your help! >>

Rusty patched bumblebee buzzworthy in the Star Tribune

October 24, 2019

This summer we found the Minnesota state bee at one of our restoration sites. Why is that newsworthy? >>

Mosquitoes, monarchs and memories: An FMR ecology intern's reflections

by Betsy Daub

October 10, 2019

Daurius Mikroberts, one of FMR's 2019 summer ecology interns, reflects on a summer monitoring birds, pollinators, turtles and native plants at FMR restoration sites. Despite the mosquitoes, Daurius says the internship was "one of the best ways I’ve ever spent a summer." >>

Spring Lake regional park master plan open house Oct. 14

by Irene Jones

October 9, 2019

What's next for this special place (and FMR restoration site) on our great river? You can help decide. >>

'Land conservation key to bringing back Minnesota bird population'

by sue rich

October 8, 2019

We didn't pay MPR to write that headline, but it's exactly the message we want people to understand. >>

Collect them all: Invasive species identification cards

by Ellie Rogers

October 8, 2019

At this field season's volunteer events, we handed out invasive species collector's cards as a guide (and a thank you) for our intrepid, invasive-busting volunteers. Now that the field season is drawing to a close, we're sharing them with everybody. >>

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Ole Olson prairie, Mississippi River, Minneapolis skyline

Celebrate 30 years of FMR!

For our 30th anniversary, our wish is for you to join us in restoring, protecting and enhancing the Mississippi River.

30 ways you can help the river

Upcoming Events

Collect native seed in the rare prairie [FULL]

Tuesday, September 26, 2023 - 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Hastings Sand Coulee SNA, Hastings

An Evening Celebrating the Mississippi River: The River Provides

Thursday, September 28, 2023 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Nicollet Island Pavilion, Minneapolis

Orvis Giveback month & perennial foods tasting night

Giveback Days all Sept. + visit FMR in-store Sept. 14 from 5:30-7 p.m.

Orvis - Miracle Mile, St. Louis Park