Highlights from FMR's 2024 summer youth program

By Naomi Nickel

September 14, 2026

Our Environmental Stewardship Institute summer program participants experienced the river and various careers that work toward the river's health.

In this year’s Environmental Stewardship Institute (ESI) summer program, our high school participants met for nine weeks to learn about the environmental field and strengthen their connection to the Mississippi River.

Over the course of the summer, they were exposed to various environmental careers, from advocating for clean water policies to developing environmentally friendly food products. They heard from FMR staff and guest speakers about how the river impacts our lives, and how our work impacts the river. Our 20 team members also developed capstone projects and worked together on team-building activities. By our last week, they were deeply connected to the river and to each other.

Highlights from 2026

This year, we focused on more strongly connecting ESI to FMR’s work. Team members explored all FMR program arenas: learning about our water quality education program and stenciling storm drains; practicing advocacy and visiting the Ford Area C site; managing invasive species and learning about pollinator biology; and exploring agriculture’s effects on water quality and eating Kernza waffles. ESI also heard from FMR staff and guests about their career journeys and what they do in the environmental field.

We were delighted to hear that our youth felt as engaged and inspired by this summer as FMR staff did. One team member said, “I have learned a lot about the Mississippi River and the surrounding environment. I also feel much more aware of the possible career pathways for my future. I also appreciate the connections I have made from this setting — meeting new people was very meaningful.”

We know that the 2026 ESI team members will bring the lessons they learned from this summer wherever they go. We can’t wait to see what they do next!

Slideshow: 2026 summer outings recap

Riverboat outing

To finish our first week of ESI, we took a riverboat tour of the Mississippi. It was many students’ first time on the river!

Owámniyomni Okhódayapi tour

We visited the Owámniyomni Okhódayapi office in Minneapolis and walked to the Stone Arch Bridge to hear about their Upper Lock transformation project.

Burdock clipping at Rosemount Wildlife Preserve

Team members loved the hands-on experience of clipping burdock at this FMR habitat restoration site, even though we endured wet conditions and bee stings.

Tree research at Crosby Farm Regional Park

Continuing our partnership with Mississippi Park Connection and the National Park from 2025, ESI helped with an adaptive silviculture for climate change study at Crosby Farm Regional Park in St. Paul. Team members learned about the research project, collected temperature data and surveyed tree tags.

U of M agricultural and food science visit

Because of FMR’s Forever Green partnership, ESI had the opportunity to hear from University of Minnesota staff about their agriculture and water quality monitoring work, tour their food science labs and try some Kernza food products. Many ESI team members shared that they had never considered food science as a field before, but found it very interesting.

Archery & paddle training

We visited Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, had some magnet archery competitions and practiced paddling skills for our upcoming canoe trip.

Mississippi River paddle

As part of a collaborative paddle between environmental youth programs, we canoed from Hidden Falls to Harriet Island with 50 other youth, outfitted by Wilderness Inquiry. Before the paddle, we also toured Ford Area C and checked out the Ford Lock & Dam. Unsurprisingly, this paddle was the highlight of the summer for many. Team members enjoyed canoeing on the river they had learned about and liked connecting with youth in other summer programs.

Lake Phalen exploration

We practiced birding skills and identified macroinvertebrates with Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge staff.

Storm drain stenciling

We stenciled over 100 storm drains with clean-water messages and picked up trash in St. Paul's West Side.

Sucker Lake exploration

We went magnet fishing and pond dipping with Ramsey County Parks & Recreation at Sucker Lake.

Sucker Lake art & fishing

We also made nature art and fished with Ramsey County Parks staff. Many team members caught their first fish in Sucker Lake!

2026 capstone projects

Every year, team members design a capstone project that they present to their friends and family at the end of the summer. Working individually or in groups, they come up with a project idea, make a work plan, conduct research and create a final product to share what they learned. The capstone projects build skills that are necessary for college and professional life, and they can add them to their resumes.

This year, many projects were focused on research, and several had artistic elements. One team member created an animated video about greenwashing, and another group made a series of linked paintings to show the importance of keystone species. There were also projects that looked into mining and the Boundary Waters, native lawns and urban forestry. Another team member held an environmental painting event, where participants learned how to dispose of paint without polluting water.

(Note: Opinions expressed in projects are those of the program participant and do not necessarily represent those of FMR.)

Slideshow: Art and communications projects

Eli, Jalyssa and Kajai's painting triptych and research on the importance of keystone species

"We wanted our project to raise awareness for keystone species that live in forest regions, give these animals their own light and highlight their individual importance, how they help and what we can do to help, since it’s not only us that helps the forest, but them as well. It’s our job to protect, preserve, and save their home because it’s not only our earth, it’s theirs. Some ways we can help these species is donating to local organizations that help maintain and preserve their homes or stopping harmful practices like overfishing and polluting. We can also help by growing more native keystone plant species."

Esmie and Nora's models and presentation on native plant benefits

"We were inspired by school projects in which we altered grass to a native prairie and a pollinator garden. Esmie also wants to go into entomology and cares deeply about the livelihood of insects. Nora enjoys being around nature and wants more greenspace around her. The decline in native ecosystems is a giant issue, and although changing your lawn may seem like it won't do anything, it will. We want people to feel motivated to include some native plants in their lawn and life."

Habitha's environmental painting workshop

"I hosted an environmental painting event where youth could come and paint the environment they were in. I also taught basic painting tips and environmentally friendly art habits — most people pour their paint down the drain, but that can hurt the Mississippi River, as paint is full of microplastics."

Lucky, Chuetou, Yengkouakar and Jeffery's fish sculptures and water quality research

"What made our group choose this project is that we all have something in common, which is fishing. Our group has all gone fishing together, and fishing has been a big part of our lives. So we wanted to do a project about fish in the Mississippi River, because we want people to learn about how to keep the river clean."

Nick's animated video about greenwashing in Minnesota

"I was excited to do this project because the concept of greenwashing integrates both my interests of environmental studies and social sciences into one theme. I’m also interested in marketing and graphic design, so I wanted this presentation to be easily accessible and comprehensive to people of all ages, hence the animated formatting. Greenwashing isn’t covered publicly very often. It’s important to question what is put out by companies and call out businesses that fail to act towards environmental justice."

Slideshow: Research projects

Ali, Allan, Zuheb and Aarav's research on mining in the Boundary Waters

"Our project was about the Boundary Waters and what is going on with possible mining over there. We chose this project because we are inspired by the Boundary Waters, a place where family bonding happens, where the water is very clear, and where animals call home."

Manuel's video on the bottled water industry and sustainability

"It wasn't too long ago that I myself drank bottled water, especially during my track season. To me, bottled water was just water, and nothing was wrong with it. I vaguely remember one of the seniors on the track team mentioning how microplastics were present in bottled water, and it stayed with me. One way to reduce the environmental footprint of the bottled water industry is to use a reusable water bottle to reduce single-use plastic waste. Another way is to just drink your tap water, as it is clean and safe to drink."

Rose's research on the hyporheic zone

"The hyporheic zone [the area below and around a river that mixes with groundwater] allows a river to purify itself, meaning that it helps decrease oxygen depletion, sediment buildup and algae blooms. I was inspired by Indigenous beliefs of rivers being living entities as described during our tour at St. Anthony Falls by Owámniyomni Okhódayapi. This belief led me to be curious about how rivers can be living and what they possess to allow them to continue to live. That was when I learned about the hyporheic zone, which is crucial in keeping a river flowing healthy and keeping that living entity virtue."

Zara's research on urban forestry in Minneapolis and St. Paul

"I wanted to do this project after doing an internship about urban forestry through the University of Minnesota. During that time, I walked around Minneapolis and St. Paul taking data on different tree species. I learned the importance of trees in urban areas and how researchers are able to determine what trees best suit the city environment. Trees in urban areas are important for many reasons. When there is a lack of tree canopy in a specific area, temperatures can increase due to the urban heat island effect. There are also mental health benefits associated with more tree canopy."

Special thanks to Lizzie and Rahnia, ESI summer assistants

We had two summer assistants this year, Lizzie and Rahnia. They participated in last year’s summer session and were both members of the 2025-2026 ESI Council. They led many team-building activities, supported team members with their projects and managed communications, including our ESI Instagram. It was amazing to see them grow into leaders and support the program they had been a part of.

Join us

We created the Environmental Stewardship Institute to help close the opportunity gap for BIPOC and underrepresented communities in the environmental field. Youth leadership is a key part of our approach to equity and a long-term approach to diversifying and expanding the environmental sector. We hold a summer intensive program and a school-year youth advisory council. Learn more about ESI.

FMR's Environmental Stewardship Institute is part of our larger Stewardship & Education program. Check out our other opportunities for youth and for all ages to get involved with FMR.

Thank you to 3M Foundation, Beim Foundation, Berglund Foundation, Cargill Foundation, City of Minneapolis, City of St. Paul, George Family Foundation, HB Fuller, Langwater Foundation, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, Right Track, Step Up, St. Paul Jaycees Foundation, Trillium Family Foundation, WM Foundation, Xcel Energy Foundation and donors like you for making our ESI program possible.

FMR's 2026 ESI summer program highlights