FYI
Of particular interest is the AUAR. Elizabeth Dickinson West Side ---------- From: Gabe Ormsby <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 15:05:34 -0500 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Mississippi Messages - June 2004 �� Mississippi Messages �� June 2004 �� Published by Friends of the Mississippi River �� http://www.fmr.org �� Quote of the Month "And I count myself more fortunate with each passing season to have recourse to these quiet, tree-strewn, untrimmed acres by the water. I would think it a sad commentary on the quality of American life if, with our pecuniary and natural abundance, we could not secure for our generation and those to come the existence of ... a substantial remnant of a once great endowment of wild and scenic rivers." - William Anderson, Congressman from Tennessee In this Issue... FMR Updates - Mega-Development Plans Move Forward in St Paul Park - HealthPartners Mississippi River Challenge - Online Pledging Now Available! - Upper Harbor Terminal Study Moves Forward - Pine Bend SNA Formally Dedicated - River Gorge Planting Event Draws 100+ - FMR Employee Inaugurates "Paddle to Work Day" - FMR Announces Partnership with 3M Calendar of Events - Shoreline Planting - Saturday, June 12, 9:00 a.m.-Noon - Wildflower Walk at Grey Cloud Dunes SNA - Tuesday, June 22, 6:00-8:00 p.m. - Paddling the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes - Saturday, June 26, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. - HealthPartners Mississippi River Challenge - Paddle it. Protect it. August 7-8 Mississippi River News - Burnsville Leads Way with Groundbreaking Study of Rain Garden Effectiveness - Poll Shows Bipartisan Support for Conservation - Rice Creek Pioneers New Model for Wetland Protection Volunteer Highlight - Isabella Listopad's Fifth Grade Class Volunteer Opportunities - Volunteers Needed for Dakota County WHEP - Help with the Mississippi River Challenge! - Membership Volunteer Sought - Tabling Volunteers Needed - River Guide Volunteer Needed - Shoreline Planting in Hastings - June 12, 9:00 a.m.-Noon - Storm Drain Stenciling Take Action - Tip of the Month: Rain Barrels are "Catching" On Featured Resource - Tom's of Maine Website Focuses on Rivers Awareness Month Phenology - Monarch Butterflies Supporting FMR - Give at Work through the Minnesota Environmental Fund List Info and Policies ____________________________________________ �� FMR Updates MEGA-DEVELOPMENT PLANS MOVE FORWARD IN ST PAUL PARK After a year of meetings and negotiations, the City of St. Paul Park and Grey Cloud Island Township Board approved the Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) for the proposed River's Edge Development. The proposed development would consist of 2,400 residences and 83,000 square feet of commercial and retail use to be built around a pristine backwater bay that has been identified as a significant natural resource and a priority for conservation by the National Park Service, the DNR and the Metropolitan Council. Completing environmental review (the AUAR) is the first step in the planning process for the proposed development. Initially, the DNR formally objected to the final AUAR, and then after a month of negotiations decided to withdraw their objection rather than take the issue to the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) for a ruling. FMR staff who have been working on the River's Edge issue expressed disappointment that the DNR did not maintain their objection. They were encouraged, however, by strong statements contained in letters sent by the DNR to the City of St. Paul Park and the EQB at the close of the objection period. In a letter to EQB Chair Robert Schroeder, dated May 4, 2004, DNR Commissioner Gene Merriam stated, "The DNR is unlikely to approve proposed amendments [to critical area and shoreland ordinances] that are inconsistent with state laws and standards. A proposed Rivers Edge development plan will have to be consistent with all locally adopted and state approved plans, ordinances, and permits." He also went on to say that the DNR believes the AUAR is being misapplied in this case, and that "...the increasingly common use of the AUAR tool for conducting environmental review of specific proposed projects is inappropriate and needs discussion and review by the EQB." FMR and Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy have repeatedly expressed serious concerns about the misuse of the AUAR because it fails to address cumulative environmental impacts and the assumption that river and shoreland protection laws can be amended to accommodate this mega-development. For more details on the River's Edge development proposal, visit: http://www.fmr.org/savethebay.html HEALTHPARTNERS MISSISSIPPI RIVER CHALLENGE - ON-LINE PLEDGING NOW AVAILABLE! For paddlers in the upcoming HealthPartners Mississippi River Challenge, collecting pledges just got easier! Beginning today, your sponsors can make a pledge on the Web through our secure online donation form. Direct your potential sponsors to: http://www.mississippiriverchallenge.org/make_pledge.php >From there, they can select any registered paddler from the paddler menu and make a pledge using Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. Payment is collected on a secure server maintained by a leading internet payment processing company. We will notify paddlers of any pledges that we receive through the pledge page, so that you can keep track of your progress. We will also keep a printable pledge tracking form on our Challenge website at http://www.mississippiriverchallenge.org/pledge.pdf (pdf file, 1.0 KB). We ask that you record any pledges you collect and mail the form back to Friends of the Mississippi River with your collected pledges. We'll send a gift acknowledgement/tax receipt and thank you to your sponsors. Start your fundraising when you register � once you go beyond the minimum pledge amount of $200, you start earning great premiums. Just this past month we've added YWCA memberships, Stearns PFDs, Yakima Kayak Stackers and a lot of other cool stuff to the premium selection. The Challenge is more than a forty-four mile paddle on the River. Loggers, millers and Native Americans will share their river stories. Hydrologists, geologists and ornithologists will share their knowledge of the River's ecology and wildlife. Experience the HealthPartners Mississippi River Challenge. Visit http://www.mississippi-river-challenge.org for continuing news and updates about the Challenge. Or contact Dennis at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or 651/222-2193 x19. UPPER HARBOR TERMINAL STUDY MOVES FORWARD The UHT Redevelopment Study, being carried out by FMR in partnership with American Rivers and the City of Minneapolis, will be wrapping up in the next few months. If you haven't had a chance to see the design concept alternatives developed at a 3-day charrette in March, please visit FMR's website (URL below). The consultant team is now working out the feasibility analysis of the alternatives with respect to market forces, public financing opportunities and infrastructure issues. There will be a public meeting to present the results of the study, including the feasibility analysis, on Tuesday, June 22, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board - 2117 West River Road North. For more information about the study, or to view the design concepts, visit http://www.fmr.org/uht.html PINE BEND SNA FORMALLY DEDICATED On Saturday May 8, the Pine Bend Scientific and Natural Area was formally dedicated. The day began with a bird hike sponsored by FMR. About 25 participants were rewarded with views of many beautiful migrating songbirds including eastern towhees; yellow-rumped, palm, and Tennessee warblers; and blue-grey gnatcatchers. A short formal dedication overlooking the Mississippi River valley took place at 10:00 a.m. An interpretive hike led by Bob Djupstrom of the DNR's SNA program and FMR staff followed the ceremony. To learn more about the effort to protect and restore Pine Bend Bluffs go to: http://www.fmr.org/pbptnrs/ For an update and to view photos of the most recent acquisition to the Pine Bend Bluffs Scientific and Natural Area go to: http://www.fmr.org/sna_addition.html RIVER GORGE PLANTING EVENT DRAWS 100+ Last Saturday close to 100 FMR Gorge Stewards and other volunteers gathered to plant over 5,000 prairie plants in the Mississippi River Gorge at a favorite picnic spot locally known as "Giggly Hills." Many of the plants were grown up from seeds collected last fall at a remnant prairie considered to be a jewel of the site and the city. The planting was part of an ongoing oak savanna restoration project located near 36th Street and West River Parkway in Minneapolis that was initiated by the National Park Service about eight years ago. FMR's Gorge Stewards, the Minneapolis Park Board and other organizations have been working to maintain the site by removing invasive species and broadcasting native seeds. The prairie planting is intended to bring additional native diversity (and beauty!) to the site. Saturday's event was organized by Great River Greening (GRG) in partnership with FMR, the Longfellow Community Council (LCC), Ecological Strategies LLC, and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. Special thanks to the GRG for organizing a great event and to the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization and LCC for providing funding for the project. FMR EMPLOYEE INAUGURATES "PADDLE TO WORK DAY" FMR's HealthPartners Mississippi River Challenge Event Manager Dennis Davidson had a unique perspective on National Bike to Work Week (May 17 - 21). He took that to mean taking a non-motorized vehicle to work - and given his love of the river, paddling his canoe was the natural option. His 10-mile commute began on Minnehaha Creek and ended at Raspberry Island in downtown St. Paul - a short walk from the FMR office. "What a great way to get connected to the river. It was beautiful," Davidson noted. Pioneer Press reporter Kermit Pattison and a photographer documented his journey. The article has been made available at the Minnesota Environmental Partnership's website: http://www.mepartnership.org/mep_whatsnew.asp?new_id=687 FMR ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH 3M FMR would like to announce an exciting new partnership with the 3M Corporation. FMR is partnering with 3M to restore and manage natural areas that the company owns along the Mississippi River in Cottage Grove. Discussions began in 2002, which led to the development of a management plan by FMR's Restoration Ecologist Karen Schik. The management plan evaluated the ecological condition of existing natural areas on a portion of the facility and identified management and restoration needs to improve the ecological health of the site. The site contains sand-gravel dry prairie, a small stream, and forested areas. FMR will continue to assist 3M by serving as the project manager as the project moves into the implementation phase. FMR staff will lead several activities to improve the area including conducting prescribed burns and working with 3M employees to remove buckthorn and other exotic invasive plants. ____________________________________________ �� Calendar of Events SHORELINE PLANTING Saturday, June 12th - 9:00 a.m.-Noon River Flats Park, Hastings Come help restore the shoreline of Lake Rebecca in Hastings River Flats Park. Volunteers will be planting native species such as swamp milkweed, iris and cardinal flower in an effort to revegetate the shoreline, creating habitat for wildlife and filtering runoff from the park. For additional details visit http://fmr.org/calendar.html#061204 For more information or to sign up to volunteer, contact Katie Galloway, Friends of the Mississippi River, at 651/222-2193 x14 or email [EMAIL PROTECTED] WILDFLOWER WALK AT GREY CLOUD DUNES SCIENTIFIC AND NATURAL AREA Tuesday, June 22 - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Cottage Grove One of our most popular tours, this event has already reached its capacity for registration. Read more about this tour at http://www.fmr.org/spt2.html#062204 PADDLING THE RICE CREEK CHAIN OF LAKES Saturday, June 26 - 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lino Lakes This guided paddle has already been filled to capacity. Read more about this tour at http://www.fmr.org/spt2.html#062604 HEALTHPARTNERS MISSISSIPPI RIVER CHALLENGE PADDLE IT. PROTECT IT. August 7th-8th Friends of the Mississippi River invites you to join us as a participant in the 1st annual HealthPartners Mississippi River Challenge on August 7 and 8, 2004. This challenging two-day, 44-mile event highlights and celebrates the natural beauty, the strength, and the history of this amazing river that flows through your community. We anticipate that the Challenge will become the signature river event in the Twin Cities, raising awareness and funds for river protection. We hope you will join us to ensure its success! To register for the event or to find out more visit the Challenge website at: http://www.mississippi-river-challenge.org. The website is constantly being updated, so if you don't find what you are looking for please check back or contact Dennis at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or 651/222-2193 x19. ____________________________________________ �� Mississippi River News BURNSVILLE LEADS WAY WITH GROUNDBREAKING STUDY OF RAIN GARDEN EFFECTIVENESS Three years ago the City of Burnsville received funding from the Metropolitan Council to implement and study innovative stormwater projects to improve runoff entering Crystal Lake from surrounding neighborhoods. As a result, residents in one Burnsville neighborhood are watching their newly landscaped yards green up and start to bloom. The homeowners participated in the City-sponsored project by allowing the construction of rain gardens in their front yards to filter storm water runoff from the adjacent street. Other residents of Crystal Lake's watershed received new gutters and rain barrels to control runoff. Under the guidance of Leslie Yetka, Water Resource Specialist, the City of Burnsville is conducting the multiple year project to both implement and test the effectiveness of these stormwater treatment techniques. While many of the practices are used in other communities, the Burnsville project is the first to incorporate the techniques into a scientifically rigorous research project. Studies of runoff in selected sub watersheds of the lake were performed for two years before the rain gardens and other techniques were put in place. The City will continue to monitor runoff from the area to compare pre- and post-treatment results. For more information on the project go to: http://www.thisweek-online.com/2004/march/19gardens.html POLL SHOWS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR CONSERVATION A bipartisan poll by the Trust for Public Land and The Nature Conservancy shows that 65 percent of American voters surveyed said they were willing to support small increases in taxes to pay for programs to protect water quality, wildlife habitat and neighborhood parks. Additionally, voters will strongly consider a candidate's stance on environmental protection in deciding whom to support in November's elections. For more info about the poll visit: http://www.tpl.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=14525&folder_id=186 RICE CREEK PIONEERS NEW MODEL FOR WETLAND PROTECTION The Board of Soil and Water Resources (BSWR) has recently approved an innovative comprehensive wetland management plan (CWMP) that may become a model for wetland protection in areas of rapid development. The CWMP was submitted by the Rice Creek Watershed District and covers an area along I-35W in Blaine. The area covered by the plan contains numerous wetlands and important nesting habitat for a population of Bobolinks. It is also located along an important, and increasingly valuable, growth corridor including the proposed site of a new Vikings Stadium. The watershed district's plan creates areas for development at the expense of poor quality wetlands while protecting and enlarging a continuous greenway of high quality wetlands. This addresses a common concern with standard wetland protection practices - that they protect wetland acreage but not necessarily ecological quality. Amazingly, the plan has been supported by developers, environmental groups and local government staff persons, showing that when planning takes into account natural resources, then growth, development and environmental protection can go together. For more information go to: http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4795872.html or http://www.ricecreekwd.com/project/5362.shtml ____________________________________________ �� Volunteer Highlight ISABELLA LISTOPAD'S FIFTH GRADE CLASS Isabella Listopad's fifth graders at Farnsworth Aerospace Magnet in St. Paul have stenciled storm drains for the past four years. "We learned about stenciling by looking at different service learning contacts in the community." Ms. Listopad likes the opportunity for action the stenciling project provides. "The students learn about different types of pollution and ways to make the lake cleaner, and then are allowed to put what they've learned into action." Ms. Listopad also appreciates that the educational doorhanger distribution stenciling groups do during the project allows students the opportunity to educate others. This year the fifth graders have learned from Friends of the Mississippi River staff about impervious surfaces and the role plants play in improving water quality. FMR staff has also assisted small groups of students in determining slope, soil type, and square footage in a residential lot, all critical elements in constructing a rain garden. Through a partnership with Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District, students will plant a rainwater garden on a residential site on St. Paul's east side, then stencil the storm drains in the neighborhood. To stencil storm drains with your Minneapolis or St. Paul group, contact Beth Storey at Friends of the Mississippi River, 651/ 222-2193 x16 or [EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________ �� Volunteer Opportunities VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR DAKOTA COUNTY WHEP FMR invites you to join the Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP) and learn plant and insect identification while you work with a community based team to study the ecological health of area wetlands. You'll receive training in field methods, insect collection and identification as well as plant survey techniques and identification. Training is now underway and volunteers will conduct their local wetland studies in July and August. All equipment provided. No prior science background required. For more information, call Katie at 651/222-2193 x14 or email her at [EMAIL PROTECTED] You may also find more information about the program at http://www.mnwhep.org. HELP WITH THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER CHALLENGE! The HealthPartners Mississippi River Challenge will have opportunities for numerous volunteers both on land and on the water. Directional and logistical assistants, people to help with food and beverages, parking assistants, interpretive guides and others will be needed to help us provide participants with a fun and safe event. For more details contact Katie Galloway at 651/222-2193 x14, [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit the Challenge website at http://www.mississippi-river-challenge.org. MEMBERSHIP VOLUNTEER SOUGHT FMR is seeking a regular volunteer available on Thursdays to assist with membership updates. This volunteer will record membership information and donations in our computer database, print gift acknowledgement letters, and assist with membership mailings. This position would require one to four hours of work each week (there is some seasonal variation in work volume). Because there is some training involved, the ideal candidate would be available for at least three months. The work will be performed at FMR's office in downtown Saint Paul. Parking costs will be paid by FMR, and training is provided. If you are interested in learning more about this volunteer opportunity, contact Katie Galloway, FMR's Volunteer Programs Coordinator, at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or 651/ 222-2193 x14. TABLING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FMR is looking for volunteers to help table at various environmental and river related festivals and exhibiting opportunities around the Twin Cities. Volunteers will be representing FMR at a booth, speaking with the public about FMR's work, promoting upcoming FMR programs and events, and inviting people to get involved in other FMR volunteer opportunities. Tabling is a great opportunity to attend some fun events and speak with many active and environmentally conscious citizens. Training will be provided for volunteers and any parking expenses incurred to volunteer at these events will be covered by FMR. Tabling requires a high level of comfort communicating with diverse groups of people and enthusiasm for the work of FMR. If you are interested in learning more about this volunteer opportunity, contact Katie Galloway, FMR's Volunteer Programs Coordinator, at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or 651/ 222-2193 x14. RIVER GUIDE VOLUNTEER NEEDED Friends of the Mississippi River is seeking a volunteer interested in serving as a River Guide Development Assistant. This person will assist in developing our web-based Field Guide, which highlights important and interesting historical, natural, cultural, and commercial sites along the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities area. The first phase of this project will involve moving information from a Word document into a database, which will allow for easier tracking of progress on each point of interest and facilitate migrating the information to the Web. The next phase of the project could include such work as fact-checking, developing additional points of interest for the Guide, editing, or research, depending on the volunteer's interest and skills. Initial Commitment: The volunteer should be willing to commit to completing at least the first phase of the project, which could involve several hours of work. Beyond this, commitment will be guided by the progress made on the guide and the volunteer's level of interest. Location: The volunteer will have the option of working at FMR's office for this project. If they have their own version of Filemaker Pro v.6 and Microsoft Word 97/98 or above, this project could also be done at their own home. SHORELINE PLANTING IN HASTINGS Saturday, June 12th 9:00 a.m. - noon River Flats Park, Hastings Come help restore the shoreline of Lake Rebecca in Hastings River Flats Park. Volunteers will be planting native species such as swamp milkweed, iris and cardinal flower in an effort to revegetate the shoreline, creating habitat for wildlife and filtering runoff from the park. The project is part of the restoration recommendations from an ecological management plan that was completed for the area by FMR. Restoration activities focus on exotic species removal, revegetation, and increasing plant diversity. Approximately 30 volunteers are needed to help with the planting. Tools and equipment will be provided and training will be done on site by FMR staff. Lunch will be provided after the planting. Please join us in this effort! For more information or to sign up to volunteer, contact Katie Galloway, Friends of the Mississippi River, at 651/222-2193 x14 or email [EMAIL PROTECTED] STORM DRAIN STENCILING Help protect the Mississippi River! Volunteers of all ages needed for a fun, hands-on river stewardship activity. Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) is looking for community groups in Minneapolis and St. Paul to participate in our Storm Drain Stenciling Project. Volunteers paint the message "Please Don't Pollute - Drains to River (Lake, or Creek)" next to storm drains and distribute educational door hangers to neighborhood homes and businesses. We are looking for groups of at least ten volunteers to paint the message on the streets of their neighborhoods. Because what we do in our yards can cause water pollution, we encourage local residents to educate each other about the easy ways to keep our water safe and healthy for the future. Things to consider when planning a stenciling event: - You may schedule a two-hour session for the activity or two one-hour sessions - Volunteers should wear old clothes and old shoes - We can accommodate one, two, or three classrooms at a time - FMR staff can also make extra classroom visits to supplement the stenciling activity or offer teachers additional curriculum ideas - Stenciling is a great service learning activity for ages 10 and up: classrooms, youth groups, Scouting groups, seniors�anyone interested in protecting the river! To sign up or find out more, contact Beth Storey at 651/222-2193 x16 or [EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________ �� Take Action TIP OF THE MONTH: RAIN BARRELS ARE "CATCHING" ON! For generations families caught and saved rain water for irrigation, clothes washing, and even drinking. Water harvesting of this sort is still common in many parts of the world. Harvesting roof run-off using a rain barrel reduces the need for municipal water on our lawns and gardens and helps lower the volume of water, and the pollutants it carries, entering our lakes and rivers via storm drains. One inch of rain falling on a 1000 sq. ft. roof adds up to more than 600 gallons of water. Rain barrels can be purchased commercially or you can make your own with a plastic 55-gallon drum. A spigot is attached low on the barrel; an overflow drain at the top can direct extra water to a safe location away from structure foundations. Benefits: - Rain water is safe for watering outdoor plants. It is usually soft and free of dissolved minerals, making it great for indoor plants or washing your car. - Connecting a soaker hose to your barrel is a great way to water shallow rooted plants or young trees. - A rain barrel can be used in areas where you may not have a convenient spigot (e.g. near your compost pile to keep it as wet as a wrung-out sponge, promoting the composting process during the dryer months of summer). Tips for using your rain barrel - Do not use collected water for drinking, cooking or bathing. - Keep the lid secure so children or animals cannot fall into the barrel. - Disconnect the barrel during the winter and reattach it in early spring. - If moss killer has been used on the roof, let a couple of rainfall events go by before collecting roof runoff. - Elevate your rain barrel slightly to make spigot access easier. - A screened louvre vent will prevent mosquitoes from breeding in your barrel. - Install an overflow valve near the top of the barrel. Buy a rain barrel online http://www.watersavers.com http://www.gardeners.com http://www.composters.com http://www.urbangardencenter.com �or make your own http://www.thegreenguide.org/article/diy/rain http://www.gardenwatersaver.com Food concentrates and wine products are transported in plastic barrels, so check bottlers or a wine & spirits shop for used barrels. Peppers, olives, and other foods are often imported in 55-gallon terra cotta-colored plastic drums, so imported food stores are a potential source. ____________________________________________ �� Featured Resource TOM'S OF MAINE WEBSITE FOCUSES ON RIVERS AWARENESS MONTH June is National Rivers Awareness Month, sponsored by Tom's of Maine. This is part of their greater effort, the National Rivers Awareness Program, started in 2002 to raise the visibility of the incredible value rivers add to our communities and foster more active river stewardship and volunteerism across the country. For a program overview, a Rivers IQ Test, Ways To Help, and other fun, interesting information, visit the website at http://www.tomsofmaine.com/toms/community/rivers2004/ ____________________________________________ �� Phenology: The Seasonal Life of the River MONARCH BUTTERFLIES One of the spring milestones is the arrival of the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). It is common knowledge that Monarch butterflies that are seen in upper Midwest migrate to and from Mexico, a journey of about 3,000 miles. Unlike birds, it takes two generations of this butterfly to make the round trip journey. The monarchs that hatch, pupate, and attain adulthood (a process that takes about a month in Minnesota) in the upper Midwest fly all the way to their wintering spot in Mexico and a portion of the way back north in the spring. They then lay their eggs and die. This next generation completes the migration north to begin the cycle all over again. Amazingly, a monarch can migrate up to 250 miles in a single day, although 90 miles may be more of the norm! The first monarchs can usually be seen in the Twin Cities area sometime during the last two weeks of May or the first week in June. The sexes can be identified by their wings. The male has thin vein pigmentation and two swollen pouches on its hind wings, while the female has thick vein pigmentation and no swollen pouches on the hind wings. Visit http://www.monarchwatch.org/biology/sexing.htm for a picture of a male and female Monarch. Visit these websites to learn more about the Monarch and their migration journeys. http://www.learner.org/jnorth/spring2004/monarch/index.html http://www.monarchwatch.org/ http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/alienempire/voyagers.html http://www.desertmuseum.org/pollination/monarchs.html http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/resources/monarchs.htm _____________________________________________ �� Supporting FMR GIVE AT WORK THROUGH THE MINNESOTA ENVIRONMENTAL FUND Friends of the Mississippi River, as a member of the Minnesota Environmental Fund, is dedicated to bringing the value of choice in workplace giving to all Minnesota employees. The Minnesota Environmental Fund offers Minnesota residents an opportunity to support local environmental organizations and issues through payroll deductions, similar to the opportunity United Way offers to support human service organizations. Studies have found that when choice in giving is offered to employees, overall giving increases and non-profits from all sectors benefit. Friends of the Mississippi River receives 75% of all undesignated gifts in the first campaign in new workplaces that we access for the Minnesota Environmental Fund. Helping us to bring this giving option to your company is a great way to show your support for what we do, and helps raise the profile of environmental protection efforts across Minnesota. Please call Heather at 651/ 222-2193 x20 with questions and to help FMR to gain access for the Minnesota Environmental Fund at your workplace. Thank you! _____________________________________________ �� Mississippi Messages List Info and Policies The Mississippi Messages is a monthly e-mail update distributed by Friends of the Mississippi River to help our members and subscribers stay informed on issues, events, and opportunities related to the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities area. All subscribers' names and e-mail addresses are kept confidential. To request to be added to or removed from the list, or with any other administrative concerns, contact the list administrator: Gabe Ormsby [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: 651 222-2193 ______________________________________________________ Original contents copyright 2004, Friends of the Mississippi River http://www.fmr.org _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
