Stewardship & Education

Over a thousand metro residents help restore and learn about the health of our metro Mississippi River through FMR events and outings.

We share upcoming public volunteer events to protect and restore natural areas and riverfront parks on our events calendar. We also offer education and volunteer opportunities for youth and educators.

Here's what our stewardship and outreach staff are currently working on behind the scenes, plus more information from program participants and partners.

Follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) and sign up for our Mississippi Messages e-newsletter to stay current on our work.

POSTS

ESI guest post: Touring Lock and Dam No. 1

July 11, 2022

FMR's Environmental Stewardship Institute fellows toured the Ford Dam to learn about the potential for dam removal. Here's ESI Assistant Ivy Song's recap. Read more

Environmental Stewardship Institute fellows in park

Stream Health Evaluation Program starts its 16th year

by Sophie Downey

July 11, 2022

Dedicated volunteers have been monitoring stream health in the Rice Creek Watershed District since 2006. Their findings, presented to decision-makers each year, help determine the watershed's future and shape policy to protect streams. Find out more and consider joining us as we get ready for the 2022 season. >>

Neighborhood takes the lead on restoration

June 17, 2022

At James I. Rice Park in Minneapolis, a neighborhood community saw a need for restoration of their beloved park and banded together to make it happen. >>

Courtney Cochran to lead art projects in Water Knowledge Network series

by Laura Mann Hill

June 15, 2022

Anishinaabe Artist, filmmaker and community organizer Courtney Cochran will create water-based art with youth and adult participants in our Water Knowledge Network workshop series in Minneapolis this summer. >>

The ESI Youth Advisory Council's first year

by Naomi Nickel

April 13, 2022

The most recent expansion of our Environmental Stewardship Institute (ESI) is a youth-led council that explores pathways to environmental leadership at FMR and in the larger Twin Cities community through the school year. Here's what the 2022-2023 founding members have been up to, including their first public event earlier this month. >>

Apply to be a 2022 ESI mentor

February 11, 2022

FMR is searching for qualified mentors for our Environmental Stewardship Institute (ESI), our summer program for high school-aged youth. Both STEM and arts professionals are encouraged to apply. >>

Thank you, 2021 river stewards!

by Sophie Downey

December 8, 2021

We are so grateful to our amazing 2021 volunteers! See our video highlights and read more about the positive impact you had on the river this year. >>

Thank you, 2021 youth river stewards!

by Ashley O'Neill Prado

December 7, 2021

In 2021, more than 500 youth stenciled storm drains with water quality messages, conducted scientific surveys of pollinators and worms at our project sites, and helped restore land through invasive species removal. >>

Thank you, Urban Bird Collective!

November 16, 2021

In a recent article, the founder of the Urban Bird Collective, Monica Bryand, talks about why she's "building a more diverse, inclusive birding community," and our own Stewardship and Education Director Laura Mann Hill reflects on the power of BIPOC events.

Shout out to the collective for signing on to support the MRRRI Act, too! >>

Thank you, 2021 storm drain stenciling volunteers!

by Ashley O'Neill Prado

November 8, 2021

Thanks to hundreds of volunteers, we exceeded our storm drain stenciling goals for 2021 despite our second season of COVID-19. Together, neighbors, classrooms, sports teams, girl scouts, churches and local businesses stenciled 1,615 storm drains in the Twin Cities and shared 2,529 flyers with community members to spread the word about why it's so important to keep our storm drains clean. >>