Critical Area

Metro communities begin adopting new river protections

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

September 2, 2020

Metro-area cities and townships are beginning to adopt new baseline riverfront protections. Is your city is on the list of communities writing their ordinances this fall? Find out how you can shape river rules based on your community's values and priorities. One example: Minneapolis might require bird-safe measures for new riverfront construction, since migrating songbirds are especially vulnerable to collisions in cities on the Mississippi flyway. >>

The untold story of our national park's founding

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

April 29, 2020

You may know that the Mississippi River through the Twin Cities is a national park. But few of us know how our special river became a national park in the first place. We interviewed National Park Superintendent John Anfinson about the development proposal that started the fight to protect our park and the surprising role that this exact same site — the potential home for a new River Learning Center — could play in its future. >>

Ford Area C (video)

January 30, 2020

In this video, we take you to Ford Area C, Ford's toxic riverfront dumpsite in St. Paul. You’ll see the Mississippi lapping at the dumpsite’s edge. What pollution remains there? How much is leaching into our river? We still don’t know enough. >>

January 28, 2020

Thank you, River Guardians!

by Sophie Downey

December 11, 2019

Thank you, River Guardians! We deeply appreciate you advocating for clean water and sustainable and equitable development along the river this past year. >

FMR weighs in on freeway expansion near river

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

December 6, 2019

A proposed redesign of Interstate 94 and Highway 252 through North Minneapolis, Brooklyn Center, and Brooklyn Park is raising questions for river lovers and environmental advocates. What's our stance? >>