Water

FMR is proud to be a leading voice in protecting the water of our Big River and all the people and wildlife who depend on it.

From the banks of the Mississippi to the halls of the Legislature, our Water program strives to keep you up to date on important water-quality issues. (For political animals, here are all FMR posts related to legislative advocacy.)

Blog 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

'Local Cities Push to Keep Plastic Out of Mississippi River'

November 29, 2018

Brooklyn Center Mayor-Elect Mike Elliott is eager to join other mayors along the Mississippi River in fighting to reduce plastic pollution. The Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative wants to cut the number of plastic in the river by half by the year 2020. A goal that FMR applauds.

Learn more from local news channel CCX, which includes the innovative mayor-elect and FMR Water Program director Trevor Russell. >>

McKnight celebrates FMR's water quality work

October 29, 2018

Thanks to McKnight Foundation President Kate Wolford for highlighting the work we do at FMR to shift the way we farm in Minnesota to better protect the Mississippi River. >>

Our MinnPost commentary on the Environmental Trust Fund Raid

by Trevor Russell

October 24, 2018

MinnPost recently published a commentary by FMR Executive Director Whitney Clark and Fresh Energy Executive Director Michael Noble on why we initiated a lawsuit against the State of Minnesota. >>

Climate change may supercharge farm pollution

by Trevor Russell

October 18, 2018

Climate change is predicted to increase nitrate pollution from cropland in the corn belt by as much as 24% over today’s levels. >>

Everything you need to know about fall yard care

by Trevor Russell

October 11, 2018

Our friends over at the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization recently posted a great article featuring tips for fall yard care.

Check out their blog post to learn why what’s good for your yard is good for our waters! >>

Why we initiated a lawsuit against the State of Minnesota

by Trevor Russell

October 3, 2018

This week, FMR joined eight other conservation organizations in initiating a lawsuit against the state. It’s an unusual move for FMR, but an important one. Here’s why. >>

MPR coverage: Nitrate in drinking water a costly problem for small, rural cities

by Trevor Russell

October 2, 2018

Recent MPR news coverage examines the costs of nitrate contamination in drinking water in small, rural communities — those least able to afford treatment costs. >>

Can contact lenses end up in your beer? Well, sort of.

by Trevor Russell

September 11, 2018

Microplastics, tiny bits of plastic pollution, are the subject of recent New York Times and National Public Radio articles that explore the sources and consequences of ubiquitous microplastic pollution. >>

St. Croix Watershed Research Station: 3 steps to clean water

by Trevor Russell

August 21, 2018

Our friends at the St. Croix Watershed Research Station recently published a new ‘Field Notes’ article detailing three ways experts think Minnesota could make measurable progress on improving water quality in Minnesota. >>

A small metro-area town has a big drinking water problem  

by Trevor Russell

August 17, 2018

Emblematic of challenges facing many rural communities, up to 55 percent of the private wells in the town of Coates in Dakota County exceed safe levels for nitrates. This is why we need a strong Groundwater Protection Rule. >>