Conservation

FMR works with public and private landowners, local government agencies and concerned community members — including thousands 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

FMR members make a difference for Twin Cities Coyote and Fox Project

by Alex Roth

April 7, 2020

Hundreds of you responded to our call to support a U of M study to better understand canid species and how they use the urban metro. Now that the first field season is complete, we chatted with Nick McCann of the Twin Cities Coyote and Fox Project to hear about how the year went and how FMR members played an important role in its success. >>

Minneapolis 'Parks for All' survey deadline: May 1

by Alex Roth

April 1, 2020

Looking for something impactful to do while you’re inside? If you reside in Minneapolis or use Minneapolis parks, consider filling out the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s Parks for All survey. >>

Counting critters at Pine Bend Bluffs, our longest-running restoration

by Karen Schik

March 9, 2020

Over the last 20 years at Pine Bend Bluffs, we've converted a buckthorn forest to oak savanna and a Siberian elm canopy to prairie. Now we're monitoring the site to see how wildlife is responding. Since we restore lands largely to benefit animals (and plants), documenting critters is a valuable measure of success. And survey says: We've been pretty successful. >>

The abundant prairie: A William H. Houlton Conservation Area wildlife update

by Alex Roth

February 28, 2020

In just its second year, the restoration project at Houlton is yielding impressive wildlife gains: from 16 bumblebees in the first year to 575 now, from 15 kinds of butterflies to 25. These results show progress toward the thriving habitat we hoped to create. >>

Intern with our conservation team!

by Alex Roth

February 20, 2020

Spotting rare, native ladybugs

by Karen Schik

February 10, 2020

Lady beetles (also called ladybugs) are one of the most common insects we encounter in summer. They may be the first insects toddlers can identify, easily recognizable because of their bright red color and contrasting black spots. But almost all of the ladybugs you're likely to see aren't native. What happened to our 50 native species? >>

The tail of the prairie skink: A story of loss and restoration

by Alex Roth

February 9, 2020

The prairie skink can lose and regrow its tail. Through our restoration work, we're hoping to create a story of regrowth for its favorite habitat: prairies near streams. >>

Seen any foxes?

February 1, 2020

A few months ago, we asked if you'd seen a coyote or fox (or their tracks!) in your Twin Cities metro backyard. Thanks to your responses, we've been able to pass along helpful info to the Twin Cities Coyote and Fox Project for their research. We’re now putting out an additional call specifically for foxes. >>

Who ate the sardines? A wildlife camera mystery

by Karen Schik

January 24, 2020

Ever wonder what goes on in the woods at night? One of our wildlife cameras recently gave us some clues. But we will need some more detective work to determine exactly who ate our sardine bait. >>

Conservation insights from intern Phuong Nguyen

by Betsy Daub

January 10, 2020

Phuong Nguyen, an international student from Vietnam, was FMR's fall/winter 2019 intern. She offers perspectives about conservation from her experience with us. >>