Land Conservation

Land Conservation
Why do volunteers hand-collect seed for FMR?

What would you be willing to pay for a few teaspoons of prairie seed? Seeds from native prairie remnants that our volunteers collect by hand are priceless.  >>

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Native prairie seed harvested by hand
River Heights Park saved, restoration begins!

After hearing from dozens of community members (including many FMR River Guardians), the Inver Grove Heights city council unanimously voted to save River Heights Park on Monday, May 14. 

The council had been considering carving up and selling the 7.5-acre undeveloped natural area as three 2.5-acre lots for housing developers. Instead, the city, FMR and neighbors are going to work together to make the park more accessible — adding a park sign and bench, with details to be determined — while keeping it a natural area and restoring important bird habitat. >>

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Residents and River Guardians helped save this park!
Nicollet Island

The industrial uses that once dominated the northern half of Nicollet Island have given way to a mix of homes, trails and a beloved park where we're restoring pockets of prairie and a forest of maples and climate-adapted tree species — vital habitat for the downtown Minneapolis river corridor.  >>

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Aerial of Nicollet Island
Skinks and pollinators returning to restored prairie

This summer, a new prairie is taking hold at Houlton Conservation Area, and we're excited to report back on its newest residents. >>

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Prairie skink
Burn, baby, burn...but only when we say so!

Spring has officially sprung, and with it comes those familiar signs of life: plants begin to green, flowers bloom, migrating birds return, and fires burn through the prairies at FMR restoration sites!

Learn more about how we use fire to restore wildlife habitat, and the impact of a recent unplanned fire on an FMR restoration site. >>

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An April prescribed burn rolls through a blufftop prairie at the Flint Hills Pind Bend Bluffs property.
Where we work: Map of FMR conservation sites

Although our policy and advocacy work tends to make the most headlines, many FMR supporters, members and volunteers highly value the natural areas we protect, restore and enhance throughout the metro area.  But even the longest-standing FMR members and volunteers wonder where, exactly, we work.

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way for folks to see all of FMR’s 37 active restoration sites in one place? Perhaps some kind of…map? >>

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Upcoming Events

This school year
In your classroom or outside
Thursday, January 16, 2025 - 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Virtual
Saturday, January 18, 2025 - 10:00am to 12:00pm
Rosemount Wildlife Preserve and North 20 Brewing, Rosemount