Mississippi Messages August 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013 at 7:41AMThanks for a great 10th annual Mississippi River Challenge
All of us at FMR are honored to have spent the 10th annual Mississippi River Challenge weekend with so many awesome paddlers, volunteers, sponsors and vendors. Despite challenging conditions, the event was a blast, and we have photos to prove it. And if you didn’t get a fabulous steel pint cup at the event, there are still some available.
Lock closure looking more likely
With bi-partisan support of voters and members of Congress, closing the locks appears to be all but inevitable. A recent voter poll demonstrates strong support for the action, and the bill to close the Upper Saint Anthony Falls Lock is making progress.
At Island Station, future is just beginning to take shape
With historic designation off the table, the plant’s owner is pursuing demolition. Much remains to be done to realize the site’s full potential as a unique gateway to the Mississippi River.
FMR River Planner Bob Spaulding is moving on from FMR for a new job with Toole Design Group. Read about Bob’s good work and how much he will be missed.
It is with sadness and best wishes that we say farewell to our amazing Mississippi River Challenge intern, Nicole Mardell.
Shoreview wins Blue Star Award
The City of Shoreview recently won the Blue Star Award for excellence in Community Stormwater Management. The Blue Star Award is an award program that offers municipalities that excel in stormwater management the positive public recognition that they deserve.
Mississippi River News
New projections for 2013 Gulf of Mexico dead zone
New measurements from NOAA-supported scientists show that this year’s dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico is 5,840 square miles, more than double the goal set in 2001 by the Gulf of Mexico/Mississippi River Watershed Nutrient Task Force of 1,900 square miles.
The 2013 International Low Impact Development Symposium
The 2013 International Low Impact Development Symposium is being held this month in St. Paul, Minn. This three-day conference is focused on advancing effective stormwater management to help meet water quality goals.
Minnesota wetlands and grasslands losing out to farms
A recent Star Tribune article highlights an alarming trend in Minnesota: in just the last five years, Minnesota has lost 312 square miles of valuable wetlands and the natural vegetation – an area about 5.7 times the size of Minneapolis – most likely because of the high payouts that come with federally subsidized crop insurance.
Calendar of Events
Tuesday, September 17 — 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Near 36th and West River Parkway, Minneapolis River Gorge
Just off the main parkway along the south Minneapolis riverfront lies a surprisingly beautiful and rare oak savanna. Join ecologist Carolyn Carr for an interpretive tour of this special place, learn about its history, ecology and the role of River Gorge Stewards volunteers in its preservation and restoration. Learn more and sign up via the event page.
Thursday, September 19 — 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Crosby Farm Regional Park, St. Paul
Join other River Gorge Stewards volunteers and staff from FMR and Saint Paul Parks and Recreation as we expand the native prairie restoration area at this naturally and culturally significant riverfront park! Capacity is limited and registration required. Learn more on the event page, or sign up now with Lindsay at lhefferan@fmr.org or 651-222-2193 x24.
Woodland Wildflower Rescue Part II: The Planting!
Saturday, September 21 — 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Hastings Scientific and Natural Area, Hastings
This spring, Vermillion Stewards volunteers dug up hundreds of ferns, heaptica and other native plants that would have otherwise been destroyed by road construction. After being tended for the summer construction season, we now need volunteers to help us replant the woodland natives in the Hastings Scientific and Natural Area. Capacity is limited and registration required. Learn more on the event page, or sign up now with Lindsay at lhefferan@fmr.org or 651-222-2193 x24.
Explore Wetland Ecology in Tunnel Valley
Thursday, September 26 — 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, Cottage Grove
Join Friends of the Mississippi River ecologist Karen Schik and Washington Conservation District's Angie Hong to learn about the fascinating ecology of Ravine Lake and its surrounding wetlands! Participants will learn about native plants both above and below the water and use dipnets to get a closer look at macroinvertebrates living in the lake. Explorers will also learn about upcoming opportunities to restore habitat at Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, FMR's newest volunteer restoration site. Learn more on the event page, or sign up now with Lindsay at lhefferan@fmr.org or 651-222-2193 x24.
National Public Lands Day at Bruce Vento Sanctuary and Indian Mounds Park
Saturday, September 28 — 8:15 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Just east of downtown St. Paul
Join Friends of the Mississippi River, the Lower Phalen Creek Project, Bravely Be, the City of St. Paul and other community organizations to celebrate the continued restoration of Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary and Indian Mounds Park! Learn more and sign up via the event page.
National Public Lands Day Cleanup and Vermillion Stewards Celebration
Saturday, September 28 — 9:00 a.m.-noon
Lake Rebecca and Schaar's Bluff, Hastings
This National Public Lands Day, come celebrate and contribute to the great work accomplished by all the Vermillion Stewards! First, we'll help pick up litter along the Mississippi River at Lake Rebecca during the lower water levels of autumn, then we'll enjoy a brief celebration of Vermillion Stewards accomplishments with lunch and refreshments! All are welcome! Capacity is limited and registration required. Learn more on the event page, or sign up now with Lindsay at lhefferan@fmr.org or 651-222-2193 x24.
Indian Mounds Park Walk and Talk
Thursday, October 3 — 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Indian Mounds Park, Blufftop, St. Paul
The area surrounding Mounds Park is as rich in history as it is beautiful. Join towboat pilot Hokan Miller and staff from Friends of the Mississippi River for this popular walk and talk along the bluffs overlooking the river and downtown St. Paul! We'll cover the incredible history of the park and the Mississippi River below as well as its exciting volunteer-powered habitat restoration. Capacity is limited and registration required. Learn more on the event page, or sign up now with Lindsay at lhefferan@fmr.org or 651-222-2193 x24.
Upcoming State of the River Report presentations
Various dates
Various locations
In September 2012, Friends of the Mississippi River and the National Park Service released the first-ever State of the River Report, detailing the ecological health of the Twin Cities stretch of the Mississippi River. While the report is available in its entirety at StateoftheRiver.com, FMR and NPS staff will also be presenting the report several times over the coming months. We encourage you to attend any one of a number of public events, listed at StateoftheRiver.com.
Resource of the Month
Check out this interactive map developed by the National Park Service. The map highlights ten "Alternative Transportation Nodes" along the Mississippi River Corridor from Dayton to Hastings, and each node provides information about how to get to the area by foot, bike, bus or train, as well as points of interest to visit.
Whose View? From Where?
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.
Whew! So many great guesses from knowledgeable people this month!
Phenology
Now is a great time to see pollinators. Bumblebees, honeybees, wasps, monarchs, swallowtail butterflies, clear-wing moths, beetles, hummingbirds and more are out there right now foraging for pollen and nectar. Although a crucially important part of our ecosystem, pollinators are in worldwide decline. You can help by preserving natural lands and by planting a diversity of native flowering plants on your land.
Supporting FMR
It’s a great time to join FMR as a member!
As a reader of Mississippi Messages, you know that FMR’s multi-faceted approach to river and watershed protection, and our extensive engagement of our community in these efforts, is making a difference. But we couldn’t do this work without the support of our members – people like you who care about the Mississippi River and have stepped up to support FMR’s work with a financial contribution. To celebrate our 20th anniversary we have a $20,000 challenge grant to earn – won’t you help us earn the full challenge by becoming a member today?
Quote of the Month
“The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant, "What good is it?" If the land mechanism as a whole is good, then every part is good, whether we understand it or not. If the biota, in the course of aeons, has built something we like but do not understand, then who but a fool would discard seemingly useless parts? To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering.”
- Aldo Leopold, Round River: From the Journals of Aldo Leopold
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