Land Use & Planning

As more cities move to embrace the river and capitalize on its exceptional value, FMR works within metro river communities to advocate for public access, equity, environmental sustainability, and community enjoyment of the river. 

Here are the park plans and developments that our river corridor team has its eye on. Learn more about the program, how we evaluate development plans and all the places we work.

Development and land use updates are also shared on social (Facebook and Twitter) and in FMR's Mississippi Messages newsletter.

Join us! Sign up to be a River Guardian to receive email action alerts when we need your help the most, plus invitations to educational happy hours and other events.

POSTS

Star Tribune: Minnesotans ‘won't forgive today's officeholders for their inaction on invasive carp’
You should blame any future carp catastrophe on those who failed to act during this critical moment, outdoors columnist Dennis Anderson argues. Read more
A pile of sliver carp.
St. Paul's new bird-safe, river-oriented development rules move ahead
We think the city's proposed Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area development guidelines are the best we've seen. Read more
St. Paul skyline and Mississippi River
River Guardians' top questions, concerns about the future of the locks and dams
River Guardians submitted more than 170 comments about the future of the locks and dams. Here are the most frequent questions and topics. Read more
A kayaker paddles away from Lock and Dam 1 on a sunny June day in 2022.
5 key issues regarding the future of the locks and dams
Here are the big questions and concerns we asked the Army Corps to consider as it weighs the future of the locks and dams. Read more
A collection of kayakers, seen from far above, approaches Lock and Dam 1 on the Mississippi River during a June event.
The scoping comment period for two Twin Cities locks and dams is over. Now what?
Maybe you took a lock and dam tour with us this summer and weighed in on the future of two Minneapolis locks and dams this fall. What's next in the process? Read more
Lock and Dam 1
Our 2023 legislative priorities
From clean-water crops to invasive carp, here's a rundown of what we hope to accomplish at the Capitol. Read more
The top of the Minnesota Capitol building in St. Paul.
Why we need to act now against invasive carp
Sign our petition: Tell decision-makers to do their part to help prevent invasive carp from advancing further up the Mississippi River. Read more
A mass of sliver carp jumping high out of the water. Two carp researchers stand on a boat behind the jumping carp, holding nets.
Envisioning a restorative future for BTT
Community members have been coming together to share their visions for the future of BTT on the east side of St. Paul (Ramsey County's former Boys Totem Town juvenile detention facility). Here's an update. Read more
Snowy savanna with oak trees
River Guardians' impacts in 2022
In 2022, 1,225 River Guardians sent 2,974 letters to 166 decision-makers, significantly impacting our work towards a healthier, more resilient river community. Read more
Paddleboat on river with young angler
The cutoff wall: St. Anthony Falls' hidden hazard
The nearly 150-year old cutoff wall underneath St. Anthony Falls is a critical piece of infrastructure. But you wouldn't know it by how the wall is inspected and maintained. Read more
Water flows over the St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam on a sunny day.

Pages

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, July 30, 2024 - 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Rotary Pavilion at Levee Park, Hastings
Saturday, August 3, 2024 - 9:00am to 2:00pm
Mississippi River Gorge, Minneapolis
New date: Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 5 p.m.
Hidden Falls Regional Park, St. Paul