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

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. >>

Winter insects and spiders

by Karen Schik

January 6, 2020

Warm winter days are a great time to see tiny creatures wandering the top of the snowpack. >>

My internship highlight: Planting hundreds of native trees on a tiny metro river island

January 1, 2020

In this piece by fall-winter 2019 intern Phuong Nguyen, she describes her favorite FMR experience: Canoeing to a small metro Mississippi island to plant 350 native trees. >>

Buckthorn: How can a shrub be so harmful?

December 17, 2019

European buckthorn is a tall understory shrub brought to North America in the early 1800s as an ornamental shrub. But this woody plant escaped from yards and landscaped areas long ago, spreading rapidly in forests and other natural areas ever since. Read more

'Tis the season ... to remove buckthorn?

by Alex Roth

December 16, 2019

As the snow begins to fall, you'll notice some buckthorn leaves remain green. Find out about the benefits of late-fall and winter removal of this invasive plant. Read more

Thank you, River Stewards!

by Sophie Downey

December 11, 2019

In 2019, volunteers of all ages got their hands dirty with FMR at community volunteer events. Together over 1,400 individuals gave a combined 4,916 hours of service to help protect, enhance and restore the health of the river and our local communities. We're so grateful to our amazing River Stewards! >>

KARE11 covers coyote research after attack

by sue rich

December 5, 2019

FMR ecologist and frequent conservation blog contributor Alex Roth was recently featured by KARE11 in a piece on our metro fox and coyote populations.

Although triggered by a coyote attack on an Inver Grove Heights family's beloved dog, Moose, the story referenced the Twin Cities Fox and Coyote Research Project. FMR is a proud partner for the LCCMR-funded project — and we are so glad that Moose is expected to make a full recovery! Watch the video >>

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. >>