Event: Pilot Knob Restoration Event
Site: North of Highway 13 at Acacia Blvd. and Pilot Knob Rd.
Time: 8:30a.m. – 12:30p.m.
Field Volunteers Needed: 50
Supervisors Needed: 10

Description: Pilot Knob Hill, an important historic site overlooking the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers, has played a significant role in our region's cultural and natural history. This spring, volunteers of all ages are invited to continue the work of restoring this majestic site to its original beauty. Past work has included the removal of invasive buckthorn, seeding, and a prescribed burn. This year, volunteers will haul brush and trees from the south end in preparation for a fall prairie seeding.. Pilot Knob is a gorgeous site with incredible vistas, and important for wildlife species. We are thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to help preserve it for future generations.

Funding is provided by City of Mendota Heights and by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) through Great River Greening’s membership in the Metro Conservation Corridors partnership.

Event: Uncas Dunes Restoration
Site: 233rd Ave. Big Lake, MN
Time: 8:30a.m. – 12:30p.m.
Field Volunteers Needed: 200
Supervisors Needed: 40

Description: The Uncas Dunes display a fascinating geological history. Starting billions of years ago as a lava-filled crevasse in the earth’s crust, the area slowly filled with water and sand. When glaciers retreated 10,000 years ago, they left a rare mini-desert in the middle of our state. Uncas Dunes is truly one of the most unique and beautiful ecosystems in Minnesota.

The Dunes are home to a variety of creatures that would not be able to live in the deciduous and coniferous forests that blanket much of our state. A great example is the Blanding's turtle, which often uses sandy grass plains like Uncas as a safe place to lay eggs. For the rare Uncas Skipper, an endangered butterfly which gives this site its name, this is one of only two sites in the state where this species is found. The area’s degradation is threatening these species and others that depend on it for their livelihood.

Volunteers have a vital role in restoring the area to natural sandy grassland. The restoration project is still in its infancy so our spring volunteers will lay the foundation for future projects. Invading trees must be removed to maintain the area’s ecological integrity. In addition, volunteers will prepare the site for a seed planting that will take place this fall in an effort to restore the native grasses.

This project is made possible by support from the Board of Soil and Water Resources, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) through Great River Greening’s membership in the Metro Conservation Corridors partnership.

Event: Forest Lake Shoreline Restoration
Site: Lake St. N. & 2nd Ave. NW, Forest Lake, MN
Time: 8:30a.m. – 12:30p.m.
Field Volunteers Needed: 100
Supervisors Needed: 20

Description: Volunteers and their families are invited for a special day of lakeshore restoration planting in Forest Lake. Through demonstrations and participation, community members will gain knowledge on shoreline restoration techniques, actively restore native plants in an effort to enhance water quality, and prevent soil contamination within Forest Lake. Through this event, participants will be empowered to implement these practices on their own property. This is a great opportunity for corporate and community groups, individuals and families. No experience necessary and all training is provided! Volunteers should wear waterproof boots or shoes in order to participate in this project.

This project is made possible by the City of Forest Lake, Comfort Lake - Forest Lake Watershed District, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Event: Mississippi West Regional Park Wetland Restoration
Site: 7550 Sunwood Dr NW, Ramsey, MN
Time: 8:30a.m. – 12:30p.m.
Field Volunteers Needed: 100
Supervisors Needed: 20

Description: Mississippi West Regional Park is a relatively new protected area. Anoka County is seeking to make MWRP a shining example of sustainable park management. Greening needs volunteers to help the park meet this lofty and important goal! This area attracts kayakers, bikers, runners and a variety of wildlife that depends on access to a clean river and shore land as their habitat. 

The park is also home to the Mississippi River Regional Trail which offers a link from the city of Coon Rapids, to Fridley and Columbia Heights and then south into the Minneapolis parkway system. Volunteers who help to keep this trail well-maintained are protecting a virtual highway for sustainable bike commuting and recreation!

Volunteers will be responsible for planting native plants and spreading native prairie seeds. The plants will help absorb storm water runoff in the area, helping to protect the nearby Mississippi River from water pollution and soil contamination. No prior experience necessary!

This project is made possible by support from the Anoka County Parks, Board of Soil and Water Resources, the City of Ramsey, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) through Great River Greening’s membership in the Metro Conservation Corridors partnership.

Event: Flint Hills Invasive 10th Anniversary Restoration Event
Site: Highway 52 and 117th St., Rosemount, MN
Time: 8:30a.m. – 12:30p.m.
Field Volunteers Needed: 100
Supervisors Needed: 20

Description: Pine Bend Bluffs is one of the largest and most diverse native ecosystems left in the metro area. The 1,300 acre area rated one of the top 10 natural areas in the metro encompasses oak forest, oak savanna, black ash swamp and rare sand-gravel prairie plant communities. Flint Hills Resources owns and manages about 700 ac of Pine Bend Bluffs. For the past ten years, Flint Hills Resources, Friends of the Mississippi River, and Great River Greening have worked in partnership, along with hundreds of volunteers, to restore and manage this rare landscape. This year, volunteers will be removing invasive buckthorn in the forested area to the north of past work areas.  The portion of Pine Bend Bluffs that we will work is owned by Flint Hills Resources, and their employees will also be volunteering, creating a workforce of 100 volunteers. Every volunteer will receive a special gift from Flint Hills Resources and there will also be drawings for great prizes! All participants must be age 12 and up.

Funding provided by Flint Hills Resources, Inc.