FMR Updates
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.
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.
The bills, originally authored by Senator John Hoffman and Representative John Persell, were included in both the House and Senate Omnibus Legacy Bills and passed on May 20th. The bill will now go to Governor Dayton for his signature. This is a major victory for the Mississippi River and was one of FMR's top legislative priorities this session.
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.
This is a big win for FMR and the Mississippi River. This issue was recently highlighted in the State of the River Report, and was one of FMR's priority policy recommendations to the State Legislature in our Mississippi River Policy Guide.
A TRIO OF FMR OUTINGS IN ICONIC MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL PARKS
Join us in June to learn about the ecology of two iconic Twin Cities parks, then work alongside FMR ecologists to help protect and restore them. Late in the month, we'll explore urban wetland ecology and use dip nets to get a closer look at invertebrates in the lake and learn what they can tell us about water quality. Sign up for one or all three outings!
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.
20 SIMPLE ACTIONS I CAN DO TO PROTECT MY RIVER AND MY WATERSHED
There are many things you can do to help the river, and some of them are really easy. Pledge to help the river in 2013 with a few actions that will make a difference.
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.
FULTON BEER TO INTRODUCE NEW FMR BREW ON MAY 25
We don't have a name yet, but we DO have a beer brewing. Join us on May 25th for the release of Fulton's new brew in honor of FMR's 20th Anniversary!
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.
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.
FMR WELCOMES TWO NEW MEMBERS TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FMR is pleased to welcome Juila Kaemmer and Chad Dayton to its Board of Directors.
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!
Mississippi River News
EAGLES CONTINUE COMEBACK ALONG NORTHERN MISSISSIPPI RIVER
According to a recent article in the Star Tribune, a new count shows that eagles are gaining nests and eaglets along the Mississippi River, mostly between St. Paul and Hastings. An aerial count in mid-April found 38 active nests, two more than last year, in the 72-mile stretch from Dayton to Hastings that makes up the Mississippi National River Recreation Area
NEW REPORT: "MINNESOTA'S GROUNDWATER: IS OUR USE SUSTAINABLE?"
Recent media coverage has highlighted a troubling trend in Minnesota: groundwater depletion. Our friends at The Freshwater Society recently released a new report entitled "Minnesota's Groundwater: Is our use sustainable?" The report, published in April, looks at groundwater use and long-term sustainability in Minnesota. It serves as a powerful reminder that -- even in the Land of 10,000 Lakes -- our waters are limited resources
Calendar of Events
UPCOMING STATE OF THE RIVER REPORT PRESENTATIONS
Various dates
Various locations
In September 2012, Friends of the Mississippi River and the National Park Service released the first-ever State of the River Report, detailing the ecological health of the Twin Cities stretch of the Mississippi River. While the report is available in its entirely at StateoftheRiver.com, FMR and NPS staff will also be presenting the report several times over the coming months. We encourage you to attend any one of a number of public events, listed at StateoftheRiver.com.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER CHALLENGE MEET-UPS
Last Tuesday of the month
Various locations
This year, Mississippi River Challenge paddlers, volunteers and enthusiasts are all encouraged to come to our series of meet-ups and social hours. Held the last Tuesday of every month at various Twin Cities locations, meetups will feature door prizes, Q and A with staff, and special registration promotions. Whether you're there to register with one of our special promotions, learn more about the Mississippi River Challenge, or just to meet and greet with others involved in this world-class paddling event, each meet-up will be a great chance to get involved in the Mississippi River Challenge community! For more information, please visit MississippiRiverChallenge.org, or subscribe to our Facebook and Twitter feeds!!
RIVERSIDE PARK RESTORATION AND TENDING
Thursday, June 6 -- 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Riverside Park, Minneapolis River Gorge
Join the restoration of Minneapolis's oldest riverfront park! Join FMR ecologist Joe Walton and Youth & Community Engagement Coordinator Katie Clower to tend the native grasses, flowers and shrubs planted last year. Volunteers will remove invasive species and assist with other restoration tasks, improving local wildlife habitat and watershed health in the process.
Capacity is limited and preregistration required. Learn more on the event page, or sign up now with Lindsay at lhefferan@fmr.org or 651-222-2193 x24.
INDIAN MOUNDS PARK BRUSH HAUL AND CLEANUP
Saturday, June 8 -- 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Indian Mounds Park, St. Paul
While Carver's Cave overlook in Indian Mounds Park is most known for its vista -- one of the most photographed river scenes in the metro area -- it is also home to an exciting restoration project. Since 2011, FMR has been working with Saint Paul Parks & Recreation, community volunteers, and students from nearby Harding High Earth Club to remove invasive species and restore the native bluff prairie on the west side of this historic park's overlook. Now, volunteers are needed to build upon and expand the restoration of this historic overlook.
Alongside FMR and Saint Paul Parks staff, volunteers will haul and stack invasive brush, including European buckthorn, on the overlook slope; weed and tend to native shrubs planted on the west side of the overlook, and pick up litter and debris.
Capacity is limited and preregistration required. Learn more on the event page, or sign up now with Lindsay at lhefferan@fmr.org or 651-222-2193 x24.
EXPLORE URBAN WETLAND ECOLOGY AT CROSBY PARK
Thursday, June 13 -- 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Crosby Park, Mississippi River Gorge, St. Paul
Join experts from Friends of the Mississippi River and Capitol Region Watershed District to learn about the fascinating ecology of an urban wetland! Explore the plant life in and around Crosby Park's Upper Lake and the surrounding marsh, and learn about the important role these plants play in providing habitat and filtering pollutants from water. Participants will use dip nets to get a closer look at macroinvertebrates living in the lake, and discuss what these tiny creatures reveal about the impacts of water pollution.
Capacity is limited and preregistration required. Learn more on the event page, or sign up now with Lindsay at lhefferan@fmr.org or 651-222-2193 x24.
MAKE AND TAKE RAINBARREL WORKSHOP
Wednesday, June 26 -- 6:00-8:00 pm
Dakota County Western Service Center, Apple Valley
Learn what you can do to make your yard watershed-friendly then build and bring home your own ready-to-go rain barrel. Registration is $30, barrel and installation kit included. Learn more and sign up directly through the event listing.
WORKNIGHT IN THE RARE PRAIRIE
Thursday, June 27 -- 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Sand Coulee Scientific & Natural Area, Hastings
With its tall grass and wildflowers, the Sand Coulee offers a different kind of beauty. While not your average park visitor's destination, for animals and insects it is no less than an oasis in a desert of habitat; some 14 rare plant and animal species call the coulee home. On this summer evening, volunteers will work with FMR Restoration Ecologist Karen Schik to help protect this rare patch of prairie by learning to identify and helping to halt the spread of the invasive species cow vetch and spotted knapweed.
Capacity is limited and preregistration required. Learn more on the event page, or sign up now with Lindsay at lhefferan@fmr.org or 651-222-2193 x24.
PRAIRIE & OAK WOODLANDS WALK
Saturday, June 29th-- 9:30-11:30 a.m.
3M Natural Area, Cottage Grove
Come explore the oak woodlands and high-quality native prairie remnants of 3M's Cottage Grove site (not normally accessible to the public) with FMR Ecologist Joe Walton and River Stewardship Coordinator Adam Flett. Learn about the local ecology, flora and fauna of this new restoration site, as well as upcoming public events and activities to help protect and restore it.
Capacity is limited and preregistration required. Learn more on the event page, or sign up now with Lindsay at lhefferan@fmr.org or 651-222-2193 x24.
SCHEDULE YOUR STENCILING OUTING TODAY!
Now through mid-October, 2013
City of Saint Paul
If you're looking for a great service outing that is educational, active, outdoors and provides a significant community benefit, consider storm drain stenciling. It's just one and a half to three hours in length, and can be set at a time and St. Paul location convenient for your group. Reservations are now being taken for outings through October 2013.
Whose View? From Where?
MAY 2013
Each month in this section, we feature a photo from somewhere along the river corridor in the Twin Cities that is in some way significant, important, or just plain scenic. Individuals may then e-mail us and identify the view and explain why they believe it is significant to the community or important to them personally.
APRIL 2013 ANSWER
We had a surprising number of wrong guesses this month. If you guessed the picture included Pike Island, for example, you were in very good company.
Resource of the Month
PIONEER PRESS FAMILY OUTINGS MAP
Pioneer Press reporter Maja Beckstrom has written about fun things to do with kids in the Twin Cities since 2006. And each time she explores a new site or program with her family, she pins it to the interactive Family Outings Map. You can explore more than 130 destinations by map view, or filter by type of activity, age of kids, and price. Readers can also post about their experiences and suggest new sites.
Phenology
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.
Supporting FMR
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.
Quote of the Month
"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music."
- Friedrich Nietzsche
