Friends of the Mississippi River

Friends of the Mississippi River: Community-Driven Conservation for a Living River

Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) exists to engage people in protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Mississippi River and its watershed in the Twin Cities region. Their mission is rooted in the understanding that ecological health, cultural connection, and community involvement must work together for lasting conservation. FMR frames this simply: engaging people to protect, restore and enhance the river and its watershed.  

A major component of this work is FMR’s Land Conservation program, which safeguards natural areas connected to the river. The organization partners with landowners, local governments, and community members to identify and protect lands that are ecologically significant, including bluffs, prairies, floodplain forests, and other habitats under pressure from development. Their planning process is strategic and science‑based: FMR evaluates natural areas and ecological potential before initiating landowner conversations, ensuring that protection efforts strengthen the broader river corridor. 

Habitat Restoration: Rebuilding Natural Systems

Restoration is equally central to FMR’s purpose. Their ecologists restore both degraded and high‑value natural areas by removing invasive species, planting native vegetation, reintroducing fire or grazing where appropriate, and rebuilding ecological functions that support water quality, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience. These efforts have transformed thousands of acres, often turning former agricultural or industrial areas into thriving prairies, savannas, and woodlands. Restoration is approached not as a cosmetic exercise but as an attempt to recreate or mimic the natural communities that once sustained the Mississippi River ecosystem. 

FMR’s work is grounded in place-based responsibility. The organization acknowledges that its conservation activities occur on Dakota homelands, and it embraces a stewardship ethic that recognizes the deep cultural significance of the river and surrounding landscapes. Their restoration sites are often clustered to create habitat corridors, increasing ecological connectivity, and supporting migratory species. This landscape-scale approach strengthens both local biodiversity and long-term ecological resilience. 

Community Engagement and Public Stewardship

Community engagement drives effectiveness. Thousands of volunteers participate in invasive species removal, prairie planting, wildlife monitoring, and hands-on stewardship events. These activities not only support ecological work but also build a public ethic of care. FMR complements this engagement with advocacy, educational programming, and accessible communication that helps people understand river issues and take action. By connecting technical restoration with public participation, FMR ensures that the health of the Mississippi River is a shared responsibility.  

Their commitment to transparency and scientific rigor further distinguishes their work. FMR regularly documents ecological outcomes, such as pollinator activity, wildlife camera data, and vegetation surveys, and shares these findings to illustrate how restored habitats support the species and processes they were designed to benefit. This research strengthens restoration practices and demonstrates measurable ecological improvement.  

A Guiding Belief: A River Thrives When People Are Connected

In all its programs, Friends of the Mississippi River operates on a guiding belief: the river thrives when people are informed, involved, and connected to the land. Through conservation, restoration, education, and advocacy, FMR builds the partnerships and community commitment needed to sustain one of the region’s most important natural systems.