We're hiring!
FMR is on the lookout for a new Finance Director and Development Officer. >>
Why we initiated a lawsuit against the State of Minnesota
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. >>
An Evening Celebrating the Mississippi River
Join us to celebrate the Mississippi in the midst of its fall splendor, Thursday, September 28. From our beautiful venue on the river, we'll toast to you and the recent successes you made possible.
Guests will hear from keynote speaker, Dr. Dorceta Taylor, one of the country's preeminent environmental justice scholars. Dr. Taylor, who says her work is about opening doors for other people by making the environmental movement more diverse, will talk about the intersection of environmental history, politics and justice, and what we can all do to make our special, natural places more inclusive.
Additionally, the evening will feature an entertaining river-themed live auction, the renown Davu Seru Trio, and hearty local fare and refreshments — including a just-for-FMR signature cocktail.
There's still time to weigh in on local river planning
View of the High Bridge from Cherokee Park in St. Paul.
Several Twin Cities communities have completed their draft plans for land use and development along their local riverfront, but a number are still seeking public comments in the coming months. Find out where your your community stands. >>
Special Places: Confluences where great rivers merge
The confluence of the Mississippi River (bottom) and the Wild and Scenic St. Croix River (top) near Hastings shows a stark contrast in water quality. (Photo courtesy of United States Geological Survey)
For our special places feature this month, we highlight the confluences of the Minnesota and the St. Croix with the Mississippi, two tributaries that make our river mighty. >>
Young river stewards hit it out of the park once again
Andersen United Community School students have removed garlic mustard from the Minneapolis gorge for the past three years. This year, they beat the FMR record for amount of plants removed at one event. In two hours, 82 students removed 23 bags of garlic mustard.
A giant thank you to the hundreds of young river stewards who helped us protect and restore the mighty Mississippi this year. >>
Habitat in the city: the power of the single yard
Black-capped chickadees eat insects, some of which have evolved to survive on certain native plants and not others. Without those native plants, chickadee populations decline. (Photo by Patrick Ashley, Creative Commons, Flickr)
Native plants are for the birds! A recent study shows chickadee populations decline in residential yards filled with non-native plants, meaning even your backyard can provide crucial habitat. >>
Mpls. Park Board & Graco near settlement over East Bank Trail
Pictured is the piece of park board-owned land that Graco may be allowed to purchase. This is part of a pending settlement between Graco and the park board over East Bank Trail land. Source: Minneapolis Park Board
The Minneapolis Park Board and Graco Inc. are nearing a settlement on a long-time lawsuit over the East Bank Trail between Graco and the Mississippi River near Hall's Island. >>
Thank you for making FMR's fall event our most successful ever
Dakota poet Gwen Westerman (pictured) along with In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre founder Sandy Spieler led a blessing for the Mississippi River in concert with all of FMR's featured artists at An Evening Celebrating the Mississippi River on September 20, 2018. (Photo by Anna Botz)
A sold-out crowd of members and friends raised over $200,000 at our biggest fall event yet. We've posted videos of inspiring performances by our featured artists, as well as our river playlist and event photos so you can relive the evening. >>
New development could radically change downtown St. Paul's riverfront
One of AECOM's renderings of four proposed skyscrapers for the former site of West Publishing Co. and the Ramsey County jail in downtown St. Paul. (Alternate AECOM proposals do not include the "mast" on the building on the left or west.) (Image from AECOM)
Massive new skyscrapers towering over the St. Paul riverfront are again on the table. The Ramsey County Board is considering three competing redevelopment proposals for the site formerly occupied by the county jail and West Publishing buildings. >>