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

Hundreds of birds in the one and only river gorge
by Betsy Daub
October 16, 2022
For more than three decades, Dave Zumeta has kept meticulous lists of the birds he's seen in the Mississippi River Gorge, a band of habitat FMR works to restore that is critical for migrators on the flyway.

For more than three decades, Dave Zumeta has kept meticulous lists of the birds he's seen in the Mississippi River Gorge, a band of habitat FMR works to restore that is critical for migrators on the flyway. These lists have become a valuable tool to help us track the health of our river habitat. Learn more about Dave's surprising findings, troubling and encouraging trends.  >>

Read more
Fishing for fishers: FMR supports a new study
October 11, 2022
Why is the fisher expanding its range to the southern part of the state, including the Twin Cities? Why is its population declining? FMR is partnering on a University of Minnesota study of this elusive member of the weasel family to help find out. Read more
Fisher climbing over log
Where we work: Spring Lake Park Reserve
October 11, 2022
At Dakota County's Spring Lake Park Reserve along the bluffs of the Mississippi River, our oak forest and prairie restorations are home to more than 80 native plant species. Read more
Spring Lake Park Reserve wildflowers
Long fall? Extended prescribed burn season!
October 7, 2022
The lingering fall this year gave us the rare opportunity to implement a fall burn at our Hastings River Flats prairie restoration. Here's why we jumped at the chance. Read more
Prairie fire, prescribed burn at Hastings River Flats
Minnesota's new climate goals are a great start — now it's time to follow through
October 6, 2022
The Walz administration's recently released Climate Action Framework is laudable. Now it's time to translate the framework into action. Read more
A farmer standing on a patch of grass on the edge of cropland, looking down into a stream that runs alongside it.
Video: How we protect land — The story of Pine Bend Bluffs Natural Area
September 14, 2022
Watch our new video to experience the stunning landscape of Pine Bend Bluffs Natural Area habitat corridor from a bird's-eye view and hear the story of its protection. Read more
River aerial view from Pine Bend
"Is it good or bad?" Rethinking language around invasive species
September 14, 2022
A deep dive into the term "invasive species" — species that spread rapidly, or species out of place — plus how we can revise the value judgments we place on them. Read more
Minnesota's 3 little lizards
September 8, 2022
There are about 150 native and non-native lizard species in North America. Only these three manage to survive the harsh Minnesota climate. Read more
A racerunner lizard at the Flint Hills Resources site.
How we choose sites to protect and restore
September 1, 2022
Our Land Conservation program has protected and restored more than three dozen sites near the metro Mississippi River. Here's how we decide where to focus our efforts. Read more
View of river through prairie in autumn
Goldenrod or ragweed: Which causes allergies and which benefits pollinators?
August 29, 2022
Don't blame the wrong plant for that runny nose and itchy eyes. Read more
A close-up of a goldenrod plant in bloom.

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Upcoming Events

Join us at the annual river gorge Earth Day cleanup
Saturday, April 20 - 9:30 AM to Noon
West River Parkway and 36th Street/44th Street, Minneapolis
Apply to be a 2024 ESI mentor for the summer
Applications due Friday, May 3 by 5 p.m.
Virtual and in-person
Pull garlic mustard at Hampton Woods Wildlife Management Area [FULL]
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Hampton Woods Wildlife Management Area

See all Upcoming Events