Friends of the Mississippi River

Mississippi River News

St. Paul’s Great River Passage plan enters public review

St. Paul's ambitious plan to remake its 17-mile long river corridor is beginning to work its way through a process of public review. Read more…

Banner year for FMR conservation efforts

With over 250 acres of improved habitat, nine completed management plans, and another 105 acres permanently protected, the FMR conservation team did it all in 2011. Read more…

RiverFIRST moves closer to reality

After a whirlwind year of design competition and community meetings, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board will be making official recommendations next month about what, where and how to move ahead with the RiverFIRST redevelopment of the Mississippi riverfront. Read more…

Featured Photo

2011 was a great restoration season thanks to our dedicated volunteers.

Photo: Gillian Tomasini/FMR

More river photos & videos…

Turnaround time: River Rats report!

For eight-plus years we’ve been dispensing phenological wisdom, but we think you’re ready to spread your own wings. Consider the tables turned — we want to hear from you! Let us know what you're observing in the natural world and we'll publish your observations in upcoming Mississippi Messages. Read more…

Position announcement: Youth Educator/Program Assistant

FMR is seeking a Program Assistant to work primarily with our storm drain stenciling program. The position is part time and seasonal, with 20-30 hours per week from March through mid-November. Read more…

Whose view? From where? — January 2012

Do you recognize this view? Can you tell us something where it is or why it is significant? Tell us about it! Read more…

Now hiring: Graphic Designer for 2012 Mississippi River Challenge

Friends of the Mississippi River is currently searching for a contracted graphic designer to assist in creating promotional materials for our signature event, the Mississippi River Challenge, held on July 28 & 29, 2012. Read more…

Position Announcement: Event Manager

Friends of the Mississippi River seeks a a self-motivated professional with marketing, sponsorship, budgeting, and technology experience to serve as Event Manager. The Event Manager will have primary responsibility for coordinating participant communications and marketing of FMR’s 2012 Mississippi River Challenge. Read more…

Mighty morsels and bizarre bulbous shapes

Unravel the mysteries of how some of our resident birds survive a frigid Minnesota winter. Read more…

Seeing the Big River #196

There are many ways to experience the big river. In this regular feature we’ll \"See the Big River\" through the eyes of FMR’s Artist-in-Residence, Peter L. Johnson. Peter works alongside FMR’s staff and volunteers as we strive to protect and improve this cherished community asset. Read more…

‘Dirt on Sediment’ packs the house, reveals new research (such as the ‘fire-hose’ effect)

Approximately 240 people packed the Science Museum of Minnesota auditorium November 17th to learn about one of the most important issues facing the river today: sediment pollution. Event-goers learned about research — some longstanding, some new and fairly, well...dramatic — linking industrial agriculture with river pollution, then kept our panel of water-quality experts on stage beyond the event’s official end-time with a stream of excellent questions. Read more…

A trio of FMR goodbyes

Some familiar faces are leaving FMR this month. From our restoration and education events to the Mississippi River Challenge, we were to proud to work with Kristin Nierengarten, Erika Frost and Gillian Tomasini and wish you all the best. Read more…

Asian carp detected above Coon Rapids Dam

With the discovery of silver carp DNA further upriver than most experts expected, the Asian carp alarm recently went from loud to deafening. Read more…

Study suggests reuse for Hastings riverfront Hudson buildings

Hotel, restaurants or an event center could anchor the site, but the City of Hastings is still exploring its full range of redevelopment options. Read more…

FMR rated a top Minnesota nonprofit!

Friends of the Mississippi River was recently rated by 178 environmental experts as one of the highest impact nonprofits in Minnesota, and the one to give to if you care about water. Find out more! Read more…

Whose view? From where? — November 2011

Do you recognize this view? Can you tell us something where it is or why it is significant? Tell us about it! Read more…

Sue Vento joins FMR Board of Directors

FMR is pleased to welcome Sue Vento to our board of directors. Sue is a longtime FMR member, supporter and volunteer with a lifelong history of community service and civic engagement. Read more…

FMR featured in IQ's excellent river issue

The Mighty Mississippi is a cultural icon, a defining characteristic of our communities and perhaps even our identities. So, why doesn't it float on our minds more often? The Initiative Foundation poses this essential question in their fall issue of IQ or Initiative Quarterly: "Mighty — Our River Resurgence." Read more…