FMR - Mississippi Messages - November 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at 11:05AMFMR Updates
'GIVE TO THE MAX DAY' NOV. 16TH!
Join your fellow Minnesotans for the Great Minnesota Give Together. It's easy to give online to all your favorite Minnesota non-profits, including FMR — recently rated as one of the highest impact environmental nonprofits in the state. Plus, FMR's Board of Directors will match your gift!
JOIN US AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM THIS THURSDAY, NOV. 17TH FOR 'THE DIRT ON SEDIMENT' — FREE; EXHIBIT ACCESS INCLUDED
Over the last year, the issue of sediment pollution in the Mighty Mississippi has come to the fore — explored in such documentaries as "Troubled Waters" and "Big River" and by Minnesota Public Radio, the Pioneer Press, Star Tribune, Daily Planet and other media. Join FMR and the Science Museum of Minnesota for this special City of Saint Paul-sponsored presentation to learn more about this important issue.
The eminent and engaging Dr. Daniel Engstrom, a central figure and authority on Upper Mississippi River water quality history, challenges and solutions will cover the essentials: How is water quality changing in the Upper Mississippi River? Why is Lake Pepin filling in? And what can we do about it? A guided conversation with local water quality experts will follow. Works by FMR volunteer Artist in Residence Peter L. Johnson will also be on display.
This event is free, however capacity is limited. Sign up soon with Alyssa Johnson at the Science Museum, or view the full event listing for more information.
FMR RATED A TOP MINNESOTA NONPROFIT!
Friends of the Mississippi River was recently rated by 178 environmental experts as one of the highest impact nonprofits in Minnesota, and the one to give to if you care about water. Find out more!
ASIAN CARP DETECTED IN TWIN CITIES
Genetic material from Asian carp was recently detected just downstream from the Ford dam, proof that the dreaded fish are making their way up the Mississippi River into Minneapolis and St. Paul.
HATS OFF TO JOE BEATTIE AND HIS HASTINGS HIGH STUDENTS!
Hand-pulling invasive plants with stubborn roots, gently stripping sticky seed from native grasses, wading into backwaters to remove floating pop bottles and other trash — teacher Joe Beattie and his Hastings High School biology students have certainly earned their green stripes, so to speak. Recently, Joe and his students received some well-deserved recognition for their dedicated efforts. First, Joe earned the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts' Teacher of the Year award. Then, just a couple weeks later, he and his students were featured in the Pioneer Press for their work in the Hastings Sand Coulee rare prairie with FMR.
Congratulations and thank you to Joe and all of your students!
FMR FEATURED IN IQ'S EXCELLENT RIVER ISSUE
The Mighty Mississippi is a cultural icon, a defining characteristic of our communities and perhaps even our identities. So, why doesn't it float on our minds more often? The Initiative Foundation poses this essential question in their fall issue of IQ or Initiative Quarterly: "Mighty — Our River Resurgence."
Both the print and online versions of the magazine feature rich stories and luscious graphics that explore Minnesotans' connection to the river from multiple angles. FMR is frequently highlighted.
SUE VENTO JOINS FMR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FMR is pleased to welcome Sue Vento to our board of directors. Sue is a longtime FMR member, supporter and volunteer with a lifelong history of community service and civic engagement.
INTERN WITH FMR
Applications are currently being accepted for FMR's winter-spring and summer 2012 internships. They're a great way to gain workplace experience in a supportive, professional environment, and most college or graduate students are able to arrange academic credit. Learn more on ourVolunteer Programs page.
Mississippi River News
PIONEER PRESS EXAMINES EFFECTIVENESS OF CLEAN WATER LEGACY FUNDS
With no authority to compel agribusiness polluters to clean up their act, can our state be successful in doing our part to pass a clean and healthy Mississippi River on to the next generation? Reporter Dennis Lien tackles this and other essential questions in a recent Pioneer Press article on the impact of clean-water funding through the Legacy Amendment. “[W]ith the earliest Legacy spending decisions already up for scrutiny, clean-water advocates are studying the projects under a microscope. Their early reviews say government often lacks the authority, once water-cleanup plans are prepared, to require improvements or to penalize polluters.”
'NEW ST. PAUL PARKS GROUP'S FIRST INITIATIVE IS UPGRADING LILYDALE REGIONAL PARK'
As reported by Minnpost's Joe Kimball, the new St. Paul Parks Conservancy — set up last year to provide funding and other support for parks and recreational facilities in the city — is launching its first big initiative at Lilydale Regional Park. Planned improvements include a dramatic stone-and-brick gateway (pictured), wildflower plantings, and a trio of resting spots to offer dramatic views of the Mississippi River and restored, native habitat. Organizers hope this is only the beginning.
7-ACRE HIGH BRIDGE DOG PARK TO OPEN IN ST. PAUL
A long-awaited off-leash dog park will open in spring 2012, as reported in the October 26th Star Tribune. The park — the second in the city — will be just below the downtown side of the Smith Avenue High Bridge, just west of the Upper Landing development along the riverfront.
The 7-acre dog park will be on land formerly occupied by the Xcel Energy High Bridge Coal Plant. Xcel demolished the plant in 2008, replacing it with a much cleaner natural gas facility just west of the site.
A third dog park is being planned for a site on the opposite side of the river and upriver a half-mile in Lilydale Regional Park. Its development timeline has not yet been established.
Calendar of Events
GIVE TO THE MAX DAY!
Wednesday, November 16
Give to the Max Day is the largest online giving event in the nation. On November 16th, Minnesotans come together to support nonprofit organizations throughout the state.
THE DIRT ON SEDIMENT POLLUTION: WATER QUALITY IN THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Thursday, November 17 — 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul
Over the last year there have been many controversy-stirring films and dozens of news stories about the Mississippi's water quality problems. But what exactly are these culprits we keep hearing about — what is "suspended sediment" or a "TMDL"? And why are "excess nutrients" so bad for the river? Join the eminent and engaging Dr. Daniel Engstrom at this special FMR/Science Museum presentation as he answers these questions in an approachable manner and discusses solutions to the problems.
This special presentation is free, however pre-registration is required and capacity is limited. For further information, please see the event listing. Or, to sign up now, please contact Alyssa Johnson at the Science Museum,ajohnson@smm.org or 651-221-4511. Free museum admission is included with your registration.
'FOOD FOR THOUGHT: LET'S TALK TURKEY ABOUT LAKE PEPIN!'
Saturday, November 19 — 6:00 p.m.
Widespot Performing Arts, N 2030 Spring Street, 2nd floor, Stockholm, WI 54769
This event is many things in one: a potluck dinner, an art-inspired performance and dialog guided by Big River Artist Peter L. Johnson, a bonfire on the shores of Lake Pepin, and more. Additional information and directions available atWidespotPerformingArts.org.
Whose view? From where?
NOVEMBER 2011
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.
OCTOBER 2011 ANSWER
This month's photo was from among the most historic in the National Park.
Seeing the Big River
SEDIMENTAL JOURNEY #188
There are many ways to experience the big river. In this regular feature we’ll "See the Big River" through the eyes of FMR’s Artist-in-Residence, Peter L. Johnson. Peter works alongside FMR’s staff and volunteers as we strive to protect and improve this cherished community asset.
Resource of the Month
MINNEAPOLIS PARK MYSTERIES REVEALED — AND WANTED
If you have a question about Minneapolis parks, you can likely find the answer in David C. Smith's Minneapolis Park History site. Recently, he solved the mystery of the oldforeboding incinerator in Minnehaha Park. If the answer isn't there after all, look to the upper right corner of each page for David's email address, and he's always up for a local parks history challenge.
Phenology
THE STILL LIFE OF THE RIVER (ASK YOUR DOCTOR IF PROZAC IS RIGHT FOR YOU!)
All around us, creatures are battening down the hatches for the snow and subzero temperatures surely on the way.
Supporting FMR
DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT! FMR BOARD TO MATCH YEAR-END GIFTS
FMR's Board of Directors recognizes the strengths and needs of this organization. They support us wholeheartedly in many ways, and to encourage your support as well, they will match your year-end gift to FMR. You can give easily and securely on FMR's website. Help us plan for a strategic and successful year in 2012 and help us leverage additional support by giving today!
Quote of the Month
“It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his job depends on not understanding it.”
- Upton Sinclair
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