Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
Within FMR’s four programs, we achieved the following impact:
Land Use & Planning: within local river communities, FMR supported grassroots advocacy and assisted decision-makers to ensure that the essential values of public access, scenic views, equity and environmental quality were respected during planning and development processes.
Land Conservation: we worked with public and private landowners, government agencies and concerned residents to protect critical lands and improve climate resilience through technical assistance, management planning, and hands-on habitat restoration.
Water: water quality continued to be one of the most pressing concerns for the Mississippi River. FMR activated people and built partnerships and coalitions to influence public policies that impact the health of drinking water, the river and more.
Stewardship & Education: FMR connected youth and adults from diverse communities throughout the metro river through 100+ volunteer habitat restoration and education events, helping thousands of local residents protect water and wildlife. We also fostered the next generation of environmental stewards through school- and community-based environmental education programming, as well as an environmental career pathways program targeting BIPOC and underserved youth.
Current Goals
Our current year goals within our four program areas include:
Land use & planning: Local communities appreciate the natural, scenic, cultural, historical, recreational, and other public values of the Mississippi River such that important planning and zoning decisions consistently protect and enhance these values.
Land conservation: An ecologically functioning and climate-resilient corridor of natural habitat exists along the Mississippi River.
Water: The Mississippi River meets all water quality standards and fully supports a healthy aquatic ecosystem.
Stewardship & Education: Individuals and communities feel a connection to the Mississippi River and its watershed that inspires an ethic of active participation in stewardship and conservation; and a new, diverse generation of river stewards is inspired and prepared to protect and restore the health of the Mississippi River and to engage in efforts to promote environmental health and environmental justice as advocates and professionals.
Community or Constituency Served
The health of the river is inextricably linked to public health and the health of our communities. Indeed, over 1 million Twin Cities residents (and 20 million nationally) draw their drinking water river and even more rely on the river to fuel the local economy, provide recreational opportunities, and inspire. As such, our mission serves all people who live, work, and play in the Twin Cities region and downstream.
In addition, on an annual basis, we directly engage nearly 10,000 diverse residents of all ages in grassroots advocacy, volunteer stewardship, and environmental education programming.
Geographic Area Served
We serve the Twin Cities metro.
