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

Mississippi River News

Check out the new interactive FMR corridor map! Add your comments and help the river

Check out FMR's new interactive river corridor map! View the river on-screen through panoramic photo-Flash videos and share comments on your favorite view — or views! Read more…

Critical area rulemaking heats up

Last week during a lively six-hour meeting, stakeholders got their first chance to comment on proposed draft standards for the Mississippi River Critical Area. Read more…

Top federal officials visit the Mississippi River

On August 4th, top-level Obama Administration officials met in Minneapolis to hold a “Listening Session” to hear from citizens, activists and elected officials about how the federal government can do a better job of protecting the environment and nurturing a love of nature among children. Read more…

Mississippi River Challenge 2010 a success!

FMR is thrilled to report that the seventh annual Mississippi River Challenge was a great success! The weekend-long July 24th-25th event brought nearly 400 participants together to celebrate the river by paddling its waters, and raised over $120,000 to support FMR’s river conservation work! Read more…

FMR appointed to Ford Site Open Space Workgroup

Friends of the Mississippi River has been appointed to participate in a working group to explore the potential of an expanded open space and park vision for the 125-acre Ford Motor Company site in Saint Paul's Highland Park neighborhood. Read more…

 

Lovely lotus

An ancient symbol of rebirth can be found in the muddy waters of the Mississippi River just south of the Twin Cities. Look for American lotus and experience the magic. Read more…

Whose view? From where? — August 2010

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 rare species found at Sand Coulee: small-leaved pussytoes

On Thursday June 10th, during a FMR led tour of the Hastings Sand Coulee Prairie SNA, a new rare species was discovered, bringing the number of known rare species in this incredible prairie to 14. Read more…

Critical Area rulemaking update: Newly drafted river districts get cool response

New overlay districts proposed for the Critical Area received a cool response from stakeholders at meetings held by the Department of Natural Resources in late June. FMR and others shared their concerns at the meetings and via written comments. Read more…

A new standard for river pollution!

Tuesday, June 22nd, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Citizens Board voted to approve a new pollution standard for the Mississippi River in the metro area! Read more…

Avian assessments indicate that FMR conservation sites serve a vital role for native fauna

Breeding bird populations are good indicators of the value of FMR’s land conservation sites and a valuable tool for evaluating restoration projects. June surveys over the past few years have detected numerous species in need of the very habitat we work to provide. Read more…

Shorter ‘tied arch’ bridge type chosen for Hastings US 61 crossing

A new Hastings bridge won't tower over downtown, after all. On June 30th, the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced that a shorter, “tied arch” style bridge will be built and will be similar in scale to the existing bridge. MnDOT had considered a “cable stay” design that would have risen 35 to 180 feet above the adjacent bluffs, and would have been visible from miles away. Read more…

Vandal cuts down 28 newly planted River Gorge trees

June 30th, FMR was one of the first to hear some very disturbing news from the Minneapolis Park Board: someone cut down 28 newly planted oak, sugar maple and basswood trees in the Mississippi River Gorge. Read more…

Doing the Turkey Trod

What do the following words have in common: poult, jenny, jake, hen, tom, rafter? All are names for one bird species! Find out which one and read about a very personal close encounter with one of these birds. Read more…

Mississippi River Challenge Communications and Marketing Assistant/Intern needed!

Friends of the Mississippi River is currently seeking a fall Mississippi River Challenge Communications and Marketing Assistant/Intern. Year-round outreach is critical to the success of FMR’s premier event. This is an excellent opportunity for students to add an interesting and meaningful experience to their resume and polish their skills in a supportive, encouraging and professional environment. Read more…