While the Minnesota Senate has included FMR's top 2016 legislative priority The Working Lands Watershed Restoration Program in its omnibus environmental bill, the House has declined to include this vital program for water quality in their version.
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At long last, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has published the official notice to adopt new land-use rules for the Mississippi River critical area and our local national park. FMR led the charge to revamp the rules several years ago and has maintained a strong voice for river protection throughout the extensive rulemaking process. While we haven't completed our final analysis, here are a few highlights of the proposed rules, including better protection of scenic views and river bluffs, and an overview of the process. If all goes well, new rules could be in place by the end of 2016!
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Fire was once commonplace on the American landscape. After nearly a century of suppression, it’s making a comeback. Find out why fires are on the rise, and how FMR uses fire as a tool to restore habitat on many of our restoration sites.
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Pollinators have had a rough go of things lately, with habitat loss and overabundant pesticide use leading to declines in many bee and butterfly species. However, it’s not all doom and gloom. These declines have sparked a renewed interest in pollinators, leading to new initiatives and funding for the conservation of these species. Find out what FMR and others are doing to protect pollinators in Minnesota.
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This time of transition between winter and spring can be a wishy-washy, ambivalent affair. It’s sunny and 50 degrees, then 20 and snowing. Likewise, some bald eagles are still hanging out in their winter homes or migrating along the Mississippi River, while others are nest-bound, feeding fuzzy eaglets. Another impressive hunter, the great horned owl, is also nesting these days. Luckily, there's great local spots to see all of this avian action, both outside along the Mississippi River and online.
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When over 800 Minnesotans gather in a windowless basement on the first beautiful spring-like day, there must be a compelling reason. In this case the reason was water. Residents of the Land of 10,000 Lakes showed up in droves to show their care and concern at the Governor's Water Summit. Among them, of course, were staff from FMR and our fellow water protection colleagues, plus 30 volunteer FMR River Protectors. Together, we made sure our top priorities for clean waters were heard loud and clear. Next up: Turning these basement conversations into noticeable improvements for Minnesotans' waters, communities and wildlife.
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