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

[Photo: Bloodroot]

Featured Photo

Bloodroot

Photo by Karen Schik, FMR

More river photos…

Earth Day(s) on the Mighty Mississippi!

Earth Day is traditionally a time to celebrate our planet and enjoy the much-awaited warmth of spring. At FMR, it also heralds a new habitat restoration season — offering volunteer opportunities to improve the health of the Mississippi River, its watershed and the special places within it, until the snow falls once again.

This year, FMR offers two Earth Day events on the weekends bracketing the Tuesday, April 22nd holiday. Roughly 200 people attend the annual Earth Day Cleanup along the Minneapolis River Gorge, to be held on Saturday, April 19th. Part of the fun is seeing how many like-minded souls are eager to give up their Saturday morning for the health of the river. (Warning: Arrive early, avid picker-uppers have been known to leave little litter for late-comers!)

The Sunday, April 27th training and invasive species removal in the River Flats and Oak Savanna is good for those seeking a smaller group, a bit of education, and a chance to really dig in and make a difference this Earth Day.

At both events, flyers featuring this restoration season’s opportunities to care for the river throughout the spring, summer and fall will be on hand. And, as always, the most up-to-date and complete event listings are available at our upcoming events page.

Have a great Earth Day! We look forward to seeing you soon.


Mississippi River News

Position announcement: Ecologist

Friends of the Mississippi River seeks qualified applicants for our new Ecologist position. This part-time position will increase FMR’s capacity to provide land management and restoration services to landowners in its conservation focus areas. Read more…

Position announcement: Finance Manager

The Finance Manager (part-time 20/hours a week) is responsible for the overall functioning of the accounting process in fun, growing environmental nonprofit. This is a great workplace for an experienced financial manager with nonprofit familiarity and an interest in river conservation. Read more…

Paddle the Rice Creek Water Trail

Join FMR and Wargo Nature Center staff for a guided paddle on Rice Creek, an important tributary to the Mississippi River that flows through the northern suburbs. Read more…

Shoreline Restoration

Help install aquatic vegetative mats and native shoreline plants on the Lake Marion shoreline in Lakeville on June 7th. Read more…

Gardening for a Rainy Day: Native plants, rain gardens, and lawncare for water quality

Homeowners interested in preserving local water quality can start right in their own backyards. Sign up for this June 11th workshop to learn about gardening and lawncare decisions that help protect water quality, such as landscaping with native plant species, the proper use of lawn fertilizer, rain barrels, backyard composting, soil testing, creating a rain garden, and more innovative approaches to managing stormwater! Read more…

Seed collection training and gathering

Enjoy a hands-on seed identification and collection training while enjoying a rare example of a sand gravel prairie. July 17, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Read more…

Saint Paul Riverfront Clean-up

Friends of the Mississippi River and Macalester Public Interest Group have teamed up for MPIRG’s annual spring clean-up on Saturday, May 3! The clean-up will take place along Mississippi River Boulevard North. Volunteers can walk along the trails or gently venture off-trail or along the shoreline at their own comfort level. Families and groups are welcome! Read more…

Seed collection training and gathering

Enjoy a hands-on seed identification and collection training while enjoying a rare example of a sand gravel prairie. June 7, 9:00 a.m.-Noon. Read more…

Webcam enables view of I-35W bridge construction site progress

If you’re interested in observing progress of construction of the replacement bridge in Minneapolis, you can do so without moving from your computer screen. Read more…

Legislative bonding bill update: some wins, some vetoes for River-related projects

On April 7, Governor Pawlenty signed $717 million of $925 million in capital investment projects into law while vetoing the remainder. There was good news and bad news for river-related projects. Read more…

April — About that annoying tick you have

Learn more about one of the insects that interacts with outdoor enthusiasts early in the spring. Read more…

Give the gift of river stewardship — and get a kickback, too!

You can receive even as you give, if you buy an FMR gift membership for a friend or loved one soon. Read more…

Site leaders needed at Vento Sanctuary during HGTV week

Hundreds of volunteers will be joining the Lower Phalen Creek Project to work at the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary in Saint Paul on Saturday, April 26; Monday, April 28; Wednesday, April 30; Friday May 2 and Saturday, May 3. Read more…

Blue Thumb: Planting for clean water

If you celebrate spring by putting your hands in dirt, you’ll enjoy an online plant selector, a wonderful resource to help you choose the perfect plants for your site. Read more…

Community outreach meetings to boost river corridor protection

FMR and the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) are teaming up to offer workshops assisting local officials in conserving important values of the river corridor. Read more…

Crosby Park Prairie Planting

Join us on Saturday, May 31, to help plant an interpretive native prairie at Crosby Farm Regional Park! Volunteers will put in 1,000 native prairie plants and install species markers to educate and inform visitors. Read more…

Lilydale Council clears way for bluffside development

The City of Lilydale is opening the door to potentially harmful development of a rare unspoiled bluffline parcel. Read more…

Polluted Minnesota waters: state’s proposed budget provides few answers

A new analysis by Conservation Minnesota says current budget proposals will undercut funding for water testing and cleanup, increasing the importance of a November statewide referendum on funding for conservation. Read more…

River, Cottage Grove cleanup will be expensive, complicated

A cleanup plan submitted by 3M Corporation suggests costs of river cleanup associated with its Cottage Grove contamination problem will be significant. Read more…

A river-focused visitors’ center for Hastings?

An early March meeting raises new hopes of a Hastings visitors’ center that would build in part on and increase awareness of river resources. Read more…

What lies beneath Twin Cities could pose danger above

Aging stormwater tunnels under Minneapolis and Saint Paul are in serious need of major repairs. Like much of our aging infrastructure, putting off the needed repairs could have catastrophic results. Read more…

DNR Critical Area Study report now online

The DNR has now reported to the legislature on potential changes in the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area program in the Twin Cities region. FMR served as a facilitator last fall in a process designed to identify problems and opportunities for improvement in critical area conservation. Read more…

Raw sewage enters waters of nearly 100 Minnesota communities

Most people think we quit dumping raw sewage into our rivers and streams back in the 70s. Nope. Unfortunately, numerous Minnesota communities still haven’t addressed this major water quality issue. Read more…

Lisa Hondros

From first-time advocate to Friends of the Riverfront co-founder, Lisa Hondros’ concern about Nicollet Island development in her neighborhood has launched a new river advocate into long-term action. Read more…

Birding at Crosby Farm

Discover great birding in the urban wilderness and learn more about the new Gorge Stewards volunteer restoration program in Crosby Park. Read more…

Kick-off party for the 2008 Great River Energy Mississippi River Challenge

Join us at Summit Brewing Company’s Rathskellar for a celebration to kick off the training and pledge-raising season in preparation for the 2008 Mississippi River Challenge. Read more…

Heritage amendment will be on November ballot

Minnesota voters in November will have an opportunity to approve a ballot intiative that will provide a major increase in state funding for programs that protect water quality and improve Minnesota's natural environment. Read more…

FMR needs phone help with workplace giving efforts

If you’re comfortable on the phone, consider volunteering a few hours to help the Minnesota Environmental Fund access new workplaces. Read more…

Mississippi River Challenge — Paddle it and Pedal it!

FMR is excited to announce that we are adding a bicycle portion to the Great River Energy Mississippi River Challenge which will take place July 26 and 27 this year. We are currently working to finalize the route, and it promises to be as beautiful as the paddling portion. For more information, visit the Challenge web site.

And our new event slogan? “Paddle it. Pedal it. Protect it!” Read more…

Keep your eyes on the Gorge Stewards blog

Be sure to check out the latest posts on the Mississippi River Gorge Stewards’ new blog. Read about the latest news affecting the river gorge and leave a comment with your questions or thoughts. As the 2008 event season starts to shape up, keep watching the blog for information about upcoming events, as well as more stories and photos from the gorge! Read more…

3M employees needed for Earth Day event

Do you work for 3M or know someone who does? FMR is looking for 3M employees to participate in an Earth Week event in April. We need your help to make this a success — can you help get the word out to employees at 3M before April 21? You could help us raise double what employees pledge. Read more…

Is your workplace, church or other group looking to get outdoors?

We can help — by offering ways your organization can adopt route stops and pitch in on next year’s Mississippi River Challenge, July 25-27, 2008. Your group’s help can help the Challenge remain a successful event. Read more…

Help wanted: Join the (not so motley) Tuesday Night Crew

If you’re looking for a regular but brief opportunity to make a difference for the Mississippi River, please consider joining FMR’s Tuesday Night Crew. Read more…

Gorge Stewards Sponsorship

We need a few (or many) good sponsors to help support our Gorge Stewards program and reach community members with a show of support for the River. Do you own or have ties to a local business in one of the eight Gorge Stewards neighborhoods we work with? There are great benefits for your business, and we’d be honored to have you join us as a sponsor. Read more…

Stenciling season is here again!

FMR is looking for classrooms or community groups in Saint Paul to participate in our Storm Drain Stenciling Project. Complete kits are available free of charge from us, and a representative will meet with your group to explain the threat of non-point source pollution and the purpose of the project. Read more…