Friends of the Mississippi River August 2012 Newsletter

River-related news from Friends of the Mississippi River.

FMR Updates ‘STATE OF THE RIVER’ SEATS FILLING FAST Is it safe to swim in the river? Is water pollution improving? Can I eat the fish I catch? Apparently, many people are looking forward to the answers to these questions — the September 27th launch of the State of the River report at the Science Museum is nearly half full! Be sure to register soon for this momentous event. It’s free, parking and advance Science Museum access included, but preregistration is required. Learn more and sign up today via the event listing! Read more » CHEERS TO ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL MISSISSIPPI RIVER CHALLENGE! Thanks to all the paddlers, volunteers, sponsors and pledgers for making the 9th annual Mississippi River Challenge a rousing success! Did you like the music at the Mississippi River Challenge? Or have any other thoughts on FMR’s premier annual event? Let us know! Read more » PICK YOUR TOUR: RAINGARDENS, INDIAN MOUNDS, RIVERSIDE OR OAK SAVANNA History, ecology, wildlife, community pride — each upcoming FMR tour showcases what can happen when these values come together. August 22nd, join us for a tour of the innovative, powerhouse raingardens of St. Paul’s ‘Garden District,’ able to reduce pollution and neighborhood flooding while providing wildlife habitat and beautiful neighborhood amenities. Or join us August 30th for a tour of Indian Mounds Park, September 18th in the rare urban oak savanna, or September 22nd in Minneapolis’s first public park, Riverside Park. Each will bring the history of the riverfront (or riverbluff) site to life, include lessons in urban ecology, and celebrate the community based and FMR-organized volunteer restoration efforts. All are free but capacity is limited and preregistration required. Please see the FMR calendar for more information and to save your spot. Read more » ANOTHER 103 ACRES PRESERVED IN DAKOTA COUNTY Dakota County recently purchased a conservation easement on 103 acres in Inver Grove Heights, permanently protecting the rolling woodlands and lake-land areas from future development. FMR offers hearty congratulations to Dakota County and the landowners, the Lindberg family, for choosing to protect this important area that lies within the Metro Conservation Corridor and the Northern Dakota County Greenway. FMR is also proud to have played a small support role in its conservation (first contacting Mr. Lindberg about land protection options in 2008 and completing a management plan for the property in 2011). Read more » CROSS-CULTURAL, YOUTH-LED WATERSHED PROJECT A SUCCESS This July, FMR and Cedar-Riverside Youth Council hosted the first River Awareness Day at Mixed Blood Theatre in Minneapolis. Approximately 100 people came together to celebrate community stewardship for the Mississippi River and its watershed and learn about water resources issues both locally and in Somalia. FMR would like to extend a special thank you to council members and FMR interns Mary Metchnek and Mohamed Jama, and the funders of this innovative cross-cultural program, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization with additional support from MillerCoors River Network, Recreational Equipment Incorporated (REI) and Excel Energy. FROM MAJESTIC GROVES TO SEEPAGE SWAMPS, EMERALD ASH BORER AND FMR’S RESTORATION WORK We’ve all heard the horror stories of devastation wreaked by the emerald ash borer, but just what does this diminutive little insect mean to you and me? How does it affect the areas FMR is working to conserve or restore? And can firewood restrictions really make a difference? Read more » Mississippi River News OPEN LAND FALLING TO THE PLOW, 2012 FARM BILL WILL ONLY MAKE IT WORSE Prairie and other natural landscapes have been plowed up at an unprecedented rate across the nation's midsection since 2008, especially in the corn belt — which includes Minnesota and the Dakotas — according to an analysis by the Environmental Working Group and Defenders of Wildlife. The new report, “Plowed Under,” highlights the massive wildlife habitat loss stemming from unlimited and unregulated crop insurance subsidies like the ones in the pending 2012 farm bill. Read more in this Star Tribune article by Josephine Marcotty. Read more » NEW RIVERFRONT REST AREA FUNDED FOR INVER GROVE HEIGHTS Next summer, visitors to the Rock Island Swing Bridge recreational pier in Inver Grove Heights will have another scenic spot at which to congregate. Dakota County officials learned last week that they have been awarded a $450,000 federal National Scenic Byways Program grant for a rest area near the pier and the Mississippi River Trail. Learn more from this Pioneer Press article by Nick Ferraro. Read more » Calendar of Events ST. PAUL ‘GARDEN DISTRICT’ RAINGARDENS WALKING TOUR Wednesday, August 22 — 6:00-8:00 pm Como neighborhood, St. Paul Join us for this popular tour of the beautiful — and powerful — raingardens near Como Lake in St. Paul. Popular with butterflies, birds and neighbors alike, these raingardens improve the water quality of nearby Como Lake and have also significantly reduced neighborhood flooding. The raingardens are part of a six-year, community-wide endeavor that earned a 2010 Minnesota Environmental Initiative award. In addition to reducing lake pollution and neighborhood flooding, the project brought together residents and agencies alike and provides a neighborhood amenity that will serve to educate and inspire others for years to come. Tour participants will also learn about CRWD resources to help watershed residents create their own raingardens or install their own rain barrels. Read more » MOUNDS PARK WALK AND TALK — BURIAL MOUNDS, RIVER HISTORY AND LANDSCAPE REVIVAL Thursday, August 30 — 6:00-8:00 pm Indian Mounds Park, Blufftop, St. Paul The area surrounding Mounds Park is as rich in history as it is beautiful. Join towboat pilot and FMR boardmember Hokan Miller and staff from St. Paul Parks and Recreation and FMR and for a walk and talk along the bluffs overlooking the river and downtown St. Paul. From this vantage point, much of the river’s history can be visualized — powerful geologic forces, American Indian burial mounds, tales of early explorers, the historic harbor and today’s busy working river. After exploring the past of this iconic riverbluff park, we'll discuss the ecology of the site and highlight recent restoration activities at the blufftop prairie, including removing invasive species and planting native shrubs, grasses and wildflowers with Harding High School Earth Club and FMR volunteers. To ensure a high-quality experience, capacity is limited and preregistration required. To learn more, or sign up, please see the event listing or contact Katie at kclower@fmr.org or 651-222-2193 x23. Read more » RIVERSIDE PARK HABITAT RESTORATION, NATIVE PLANTING Saturday, September 15 — 3:00-5:00 pm Riverside Park, Mississippi River Gorge, Minneapolis Located on the west-bank bluffs of the Mississippi River just north of I-94 in Minneapolis, Riverside Park appears at first glance to be a quiet, typical neighborhood park. Given a closer look, though, the park reveals complex layers of historical and natural interest. The 40-acre park is actually the first public park in the city, and several groups and organizations have come together to help restore it. Come join the effort by planting native species, helping to provide wildlife habitat, prevent erosion and improve watershed health. All supplies and supervision provided. To ensure a high-quality experience, capacity is limited and preregistration required. To learn more, or sign up, please see the event listing or contact Katie at kclower@fmr.org or 651-222-2193 x23. Read more » OAK SAVANNA INTERPRETIVE TOUR Wednesday, September 18 — 6:00-7:30 pm Minneapolis River Gorge Just off the main path along the Minneapolis riverfront lies a surprisingly beautiful and rare oak savanna. Join ecologist Carolyn Carr for an interpretive tour of this special place, and learn about its history, ecology and the role of volunteers, the community and FMR in its preservation and restoration. Sign up immediately via the event listing. Read more » RIVERSIDE PARK TOUR Saturday, September 22 — 3:00-5:00 pm Riverside Park, Mississippi River Gorge, Minneapolis Whether recent immigrants or longtime residents, students or restoration professionals, individuals, families or small groups — many people from the neighborhood and from throughout the Mississippi River Gorge have contributed their time and talents to help restore this community gem. Come learn about these efforts and enjoy a September afternoon walk in Minneapolis's oldest riverfront park! Sign up immediately via the event listing. Read more » 'STATE OF THE RIVER' LAUNCH AND PRESENTATION AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM OF MINNESOTA September 27 — 7:00-8:30 pm The Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul How is the health of the Mississippi River? Can I safely swim in it? Is water pollution improving? Can I eat the fish I catch? What can we do about Asian carp? Do I need to be concerned about bacteria in the river? How are bald eagles faring? At FMR we hear questions like these all the time. That's why we've partnered with the National Park Service's Mississippi National River and Recreation Area unit (MNRRA) to develop the "State of the River Report." Join us on this special evening at the Science Museum of Minnesota as we launch and present this groundbreaking report. The State of the River Report will provide a clear, concise snapshot of the health of the Mississippi River. Based upon a broad range of water quality and aquatic ecosystem data, the report zooms in on the status and trends of 12 key indicators of river health highlighting the swimming, fishing, aquatic life and emerging contamination issues facing the river as well as priority solutions for each. We are excited to launch this long-awaited report at the Science Museum of Minnesota. After a brief introduction by the museum, the report's principal authors — FMR Watershed Program Director Trevor Russell and MNRRA Water Quality Coordinator Lark Weller — will quickly and concisely summarize a wealth of water quality and aquatic ecosystem data. From Asian carp to bacterial contamination, eagles to swimmability, Trevor and Lark will highlight key trends and emerging issues that impact the river as well as provide an overview of potential solutions to protect our river and its watershed.The second half of the event will feature a hosted conversation or panel discussion with Trevor, Lark and additional water quality experts involved in the making of the report. Participants will have the opportunity to contribute questions. This event is free, including entrance to the Science Museum and parking in the museum's lower ramp. Learn more or register online via the event listing. Read more » NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY CLEANUP ALONG THE VERMILLION RIVER Saturday, September 29 — 9:00 am-12:00 noon CP Adams Park on the Vermillion River, Hastings Come celebrate National Public Lands Day with us! Help pick up litter along the Vermillion River during the lower water levels of autumn, helping to beautify this trophy trout stream! Volunteers will be picking up in areas near lakes and wetlands that feed/border the Vermillion River just south of downtown Hastings. The park is known for both its recreational activities — such as its frisbee golf course and paved trails — and high-quality natural areas. To ensure adequate supplies (including lunch!) pre-registration is required. To learn more, or sign up, please see the event listing or contact Katie at kclower@fmr.org or 651-222-2193 x23. Read more » SCHEDULE YOUR STENCILING OUTING! Now through mid-October, 2012 City of Saint Paul If you're looking for a great service outing that is educational, active, outdoors and provides a significant community benefit, consider storm drain stenciling. It's just one and a half to three hours in length, and can be set at a time and St. Paul location convenient for your group. Reservations are now being taken for May through October 2012. Read more » Phenology GREEN GIANTS IN ‘WANDERING STAGE’ Considering the abundance of the sphinx moth caterpillars’ primary foods — wild grape and Virginia creeper — it is odd that the moth is not well documented in Minnesota. Read more » Resource of the Month ENCYCLOPEDIA OF LIFE Our knowledge of the many life forms on Earth — of animals, plants, fungi, protists and bacteria — is scattered around the world in books, journals, databases, websites, specimen collections, and in the minds of people everywhere. Imagine what it would mean if this information could be gathered together and made available to everyone – anywhere – at a moment’s notice. This dream is becoming a reality through the Encyclopedia of Life. Be sure to check out this open, freely accessible and trusted digital resource. Read more » Supporting FMR ‘GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT,’ WHAT IT IS AND WHY IT MATTERS Ever wondered what "general operating support" is? If you’ve supported nonprofit organizations for a while, you’ve probably heard the phrase bandied about, but do you know why it’s so important and where it comes from? Read more » Quote of the Month “Whether we and our politicians know it or not, Nature is party to all our deals and decisions, and she has more votes, a longer memory, and a sterner sense of justice than we do.”         - Wendell Berry   FMR Updates ‘State of the River’ seats filling fast Cheers to another successful Mississippi River Challenge! Pick your tour: raingardens, Indian Mounds, Riverside or Oak Savanna Another 103 acres preserved in Dakota County Cross-cultural, youth-led watershed project a success From majestic groves to seepage swamps, emerald ash borer and FMR’s restoration work Mississippi River News Open land falling to the plow, 2012 Farm Bill will only make it worse New riverfront rest area funded for Inver Grove Heights Calendar of Events St. Paul ‘Garden District’ Raingardens Walking Tour Mounds Park Walk and Talk — Burial Mounds, River History and Landscape Revival Riverside Park Habitat Restoration, Native Planting Oak Savanna Interpretive Tour Riverside Park Tour 'State of the River' Launch and Presentation at the Science Museum of Minnesota National Public Lands Day cleanup along the Vermillion River Schedule your stenciling outing! Phenology Green giants in ‘wandering stage’ Resource of the Month Encyclopedia of Life Supporting FMR ‘General operating support,’ what it is and why it matters Mississippi Messages is a twice-monthly e-mail update distributed by Friends of the Mississippi River to help our members and subscribers stay informed on issues, FMR events, and opportunities related to the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities area. All subscribers' names and e-mail addresses are kept confidential. Original contents copyright 2012, Friends of the Mississippi River http://www.fmr.org