Working to protect the Mississippi River and its watershed in the Twin Cities area

Mississippi River News

Above the Falls Master Plan: Minneapolis Council embraces design standards, expanded parkland

Design standards will ensure the long-term compatibility of new development along the riverfront. And in a unique twist, even though the City Council has formally approved the Plan, the exact width of parkland at Upper Harbor Terminal remains unsettled. Read more…

Minnesota’s new municipal stormwater permit approved

After more than three years of work, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Citizens’ Board recently approved reissuance of the state’s “Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System” (MS4) general permit. Read more…

Only a few weeks left to get $2 off Peace Coffee!

We suggested iced coffees last month and one of these days, it WILL be warm enough for a tall glass of iced coffee. You’ll be ready for that day if you use the Peace Coffee’s $2 off and 20% for the river coupons before June 30th! Read more…

Help us earn a $20K 20th anniversary challenge gift

Becoming a member, giving a gift membership, or increasing your membership gift over last year’s amount all count toward earning the challenge before June 30th. Read more…

You can still sample Preservation Mild Ale – while supplies last

A hearty Huzzah! to Fulton Beer for a great release of their new garage series brew in honor of FMR’s 20th anniversary. FMR members and volunteers showed up in style, and we met a lot of new folks, too. You can still get a taste of this great brew at the Fulton tap room. Read more…

Come protect the prairies, June 27 and July 11

Did you know just 1 percent of Minnesota’s native prairie remains? Prairies are important for our heritage, and critical for our local wildlife and waters. Come learn about and help restore two high-quality metro-area prairies being managed by FMR staff and volunteers. Read more…

20 simple actions you can take to protect rivers and watersheds

As FMR celebrates its 20th year, we hope you'll consider what you can do to protect rivers and watersheds. Pledge to take action with 20 simple steps you can take in your home/apartment, in your yard, in your community, and in support of FMR. Read more…

 

Drenched volunteers rescue hundreds of woodland plants

Despite multiple reschedulings courtesy of the spring snowpacolypse and a constant downpour the morning of the event, FMR and DNR volunteers moved hundreds of native woodland plants out of harm’s way at Hastings Scientific and Natural Area Saturday, May 18th. Read more…

The twinkling lights of summer

Ah the firefly. Who doesn’t marvel at the flickering glow of these amazing animals. But there is a dark side to some firefly species. Find out who does what to whom and why! Read more…

Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program begins

Four Minnesota watersheds were recently selected as pilot areas for a new program, the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. FMR remains deeply concerned about the direction of this program. Read more…

Whose view? From where? — June 2013

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

Pioneer Press op-ed: Making our investment in clean water pay off

An op-ed submitted by MN Senator John Hoffman, co-author of the recently passed “Clean Water Accountability Act,” highlights how the bill will help protect and restore our state’s freshwater resources. Read more…

Critical Area Rulemaking to move forward!

Good news for the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities – rulemaking is back on track for the 72-mile corridor of the Mississippi River from Dayton to Hastings. Designated as a State Critical Area in 1976 and as a National Park in 1988, this stretch of river has waited decades for set of consistent, science-based rules that will ensure protection of the corridor for generations to come. Read more…

U.S. Senate supports including lock closure in the 2013 Water Resources Development Act

In a major breakthrough in the campaign to slow the spread of invasive Asian Carp up the Mississippi River, the U.S. Senate has approved the closure of the Upper St. Anthony Falls lock. Read more…

Peace Coffee deal lasts until June 30 – stock up for the river!

If hot coffee isn’t your thing, maybe an iced coffee to celebrate the approach of summer? Peace Coffee’s $2 off and 20% for the river coupons are valid until June 30th, so it might be time to stock up for all your summer coffee needs. Read more…

The Clean Water Legacy Accountability Act passes legislature

After several months of hard work by FMR and our partners, the Clean Water Accountability Act has successfully passed the Minnesota Legislature. Read more…

Minnesota coal tar sealant phase-out legislation passes

In a major victory for water quality and public health, the Minnesota Legislature passed a bill phasing out the use of coal tar sealants in Minnesota. Effective January 1st 2014, the sale and application of coal tar sealants for asphalt-paved surfaces will be unlawful. Read more…

FMR welcomes two new members to board of directors

FMR is pleased to welcome Juila Kaemmer and Chad Dayton to its Board of Directors. Read more…

Whose view? From where? — May 2013

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

New parkland elements come into focus Above the Falls

The Minneapolis Park Board released initial design concepts for many early projects in the Above the Falls area, as plans move closer to approval. Read more…

Come tour, restore FMR’s newest stewardship area

With its rolling hills, heavily wooded ravines and stunning prairie patches, FMR’s newest southern Washington County restoration area in Cottage Grove offers a wide variety of habitats and breathtaking new local stewardship opportunities. Learn more about this unique local tunnel valley and upcoming events to explore and restore it. Or, if you live, work or worship nearby, let us know if you’d like FMR to come tell your neighborhood group, church or company about it in person! Read more…

It’s time to register for what some call “the highlight of my summer”!

Join us (and several hundred fellow river lovers!) to celebrate the 10th year of FMR’s Mississippi River Challenge. This fun, fully-supported and guided paddling event gets you out on your local rivers for one or two days of amazing scenery, great food and awesome companionship. Read more…

Fun ways to support FMR during our 20th anniversary year

Whether it’s joining us at the Fulton tap room, buying Peace Coffee, paddling the Mississippi River Challenge, or giving a $20 gift membership, there are a lot of ways to support FMR this year, and they fit every lifestyle and every budget. Find out more and help us help your river. Read more…

Ferns, Fern Allies, and Horsetails

Along with the perhaps showier forbs (wildflowers), spring is also a good time to observe ferns and fern allies, which are finally emerging from this year’s particularly long winter dormancy. If you are hunting for fiddle-heads, now is a good time to do it! Bracken and ostrich ferns are now uncurling their little heads, forming new fronds. Read more…