Want to volunteer, but can’t commit?  Here’s the project for you!  On-call volunteers are needed to collect native seeds at sites near Big Lake in Sherburne County, and Cottage Grove and Woodbury in south Washington County. Volunteers will help collect native prairie and oak savanna seeds at rare ecological sites which will then be used in restoration projects throughout the Metro area.  Volunteers will be given information regarding a project, date, location, and nature of needed work.  Volunteers may feel free to say “Yes” or “No" to the given project.  There will be 2-3 seed collection projects during the months of September and October.

 

In the 2010 Million Acorn Challenge, we are inviting school, community and neighborhood youth groups to collect as many acorns as they can along the St. Croix River Valley between August 16 and September 30.  Our goal: 1,000,000 acorns collected to help restore rare oak woodland forests along the St. Croix River Valley.

The challenge will culminate on October 2, 2010 with The Great Weigh-In Party at Franconia Sculpture Park, and accompanying Acorn Planting at Franconia Bluffs Scientific & Natural Area (see below for planting event).  Participating youth will join other community members from around the metro for the official acorn weigh-in, an acorn planting, fabulous free food, and an opportunity to explore the amazing works of art found at this one-of-a-kind park!  We will award great prizes and eco-adventures to the winning groups. To receive a registration packet with information on challenge rules, guidelines, and acorn collection tips and techniques, or with questions, contact Mark Turbak at 651.665.9500, ext. 11 or e-mail mturbak@greatrivergreening.org

Project partners include: Bailey Nurseries, Franconia Sculpture Park, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Fund, and Xcel Energy.

Event: Pond Dakota MissionPlanting Event
Site: 401 E 104th St, Bloomington, MN
Time: 8:30a.m. – 12:30p.m.
Field Volunteers Needed:100
Supervisors Needed: 20

Description: Take a step back in time and help out the Pond-Dakota Mission Park!  Home to the historic Oak Grove Mission, and the 1856 Gideon and Agnes Pond House, this park is full of opportunities for fun and adventure.  Pond-Dakota Mission Park was founded by Gideon and Samuel Pond, missionaries to the Dakota Indians, farmers, and ministers in Bloomington.  The City of Bloomington and Great River Greening needs your help as we embark on a major effort to restore the oak savanna and woodlands that were here at the time Gideon and Samuel first arrived. Volunteers on this project will plant native oak trees and prairie grasses, and remove invasive buckthorn.  We welcome volunteers of all ages, skills, and abilities to help preserve this park and have some fun!  Tours will be provided for all volunteers to explore these historic buildings and native lands.

This project is made possible by support from the City of Bloomington and the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

Event: Becklin Homestead County Park/Wildlife Management Area
Oak Tree Planting Event
Site: 34605 Holly St NW, Cambridge, MN
Time: 8:30a.m. – 12:30p.m.
Field Volunteers Needed: 50
Supervisors Needed: 10

Description: Looking for a way to make an impact on Minnesota’s wildlife?  The Becklin Homestead County Park and State Wildlife Management Area (WMA) will play host to our volunteers as we plant 2500 oak seedlings as part of a major oak savanna restoration at the site. That’s a lot of trees, and volunteers will definitely make a huge impact on the ecological health of this one-of-a-kind place. The park lies along the state-designated wild and scenic Rum River, and sports 150-year-old white pines. It is also the only county park in the state that is also a state Wildlife Management Area, open for hunting solely to people with disabilities

This project is made possible by support from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, CenterPoint Energy, and Xcel Energy.

Event: Woodbury Conservation Corridor Prairie Restoration Event
Site: Woodbury, MN
Time: 8:30a.m. – 12:30p.m.
Field Volunteers Needed: 200
Supervisors Needed: 20

Description: The Woodbury Conservation Corridor is a rare and unique prairie remnant bordering the cities of Woodbury and Cottage Grove. The ecological health and vibrancy of this green space is vital to preserving the habitat of rare bird species including the bobolink, meadow lark, and Henslow’s sparrow. Great River Greening seeks volunteers of all ages and abilities to help re-establish this 80-acre grassland prairie. Volunteers are needed to collect remnant prairie seeds, construct bird houses to improve bird habitat, remove invasive species, and haul non-native brush. Volunteers will help ensure this once mighty prairie is allowed to thrive again for generations to come!

This project is made possible by support from the Minnesota Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund and the South Washington County Conservation District.

Event: Pilot Knob Seed Spreading and Invasives Removal Event
Site: Acacia Blvd and Pilot Knob Rd, Mendota Heights, MN
Time: 8:30a.m. – 12:30p.m.
Field Volunteers Needed: 40
Supervisors Needed: 8

Description: Get involved in this on-going restoration project, restoring 24 acres of Pilot Knob to prairie and savanna habitat!  Great River Greening has been working with partners on a ten-year plan for this site since 2005 in order to provide continual improvements on this beautiful area.  This year, volunteers are needed to help plant prairie and savanna plugs, spread native seeds, remove invasive species, and check on the oaks from last fall’s volunteer event.  These actions will ensure that the area remains hospitable for a variety of native plants and provides habitats for local wildlife, such as songbirds and raptors.

This project is made possible by support from the City of Mendota Heights and the Minnesota Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

Event: Franconia Bluffs Scientific & Natural Area Acorn Planting Event
Site: Franconia, MN
Time: 8:30a.m. – 12:30p.m.
Field Volunteers Needed: 200
Supervisors Needed: 20

Description: Join us along the St. Croix Valley blufflands near Franconia, Minnesota for an opportunity to restore native oak woodland forests and to work with other members of your community!  Local youth groups are attempting to collect 1,000,000 rare native oak acorns and seedlings indigenous to the St. Croix valley ecosystems in the Million Acorn Challenge.  After all that hard work, we need volunteers to help us plant those acorns!  Planted acorns will grow into grand oaks where they will join the area’s bluffland forests and woodlands at Franconia Bluffs Scientific & Natural Area. These forests are prime examples of those that were along the St. Croix Valley 200 years ago, and provide crucial nesting and migratory habitat for a suite of neotropical songbirds. After the planting, lunch will be provided at the Franconia Sculpture Park. Join us for a fun day of acorn planting and an opportunity to explore the amazing works of art found at this one-of-a-kind park!

Project partners include: Franconia Sculpture Park, The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Scientific & Natural Areas Program, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Fund, and Xcel Energy.

Event: Lost Valley Scientific & Natural Area Restoration Event
Site: Cottage Grove, MN
Time: 8:30a.m. – 12:30p.m.
Field Volunteers Needed: 100
Supervisors Needed: 20

Description: The many prairie wildflowers in this area, including prairie smoke, puccoon, bird’s foot violets, yellow star grass, blue-eyed grass, and beard-tongue, are in serious danger and need your help!  Great River Greening in collaboration with its partners is undertaking a major restoration effort to restore the majestic prairies of this critical site. Restoration activities that volunteers will participate in include removing invading trees and shrubs to make way for the beautiful wildflowers and prairie grasses that should be thriving there.  Working on a sensitive site such as this is a treat. Space is limited, so sign up early!

Project partners include: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Scientific & Natural Areas Program, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Washington Conservation District, and Nash Foundation.

Event: Snail Lake Regional Park Restoration Event
Site: Vadnais Heights, MN
Time: 8:30a.m. – 12:30p.m.
Field Volunteers Needed: 200
Supervisors Needed: 20

Description: Let’s keep our urban areas beautiful!  Snail Lake Regional Park is one of the important natural spaces in this highly developed area.  This park is home to oak woodlands, floating vegetative mats on Grass Lake, wetlands, and grasslands that provide habitat to an assortment of creatures including deer, fox, herons, egrets, and waterfowl.  These habitats are being invaded by invasive plants, and we need to stop them!  Volunteers are needed to haul brush such as buckthorn and other non-savanna tree species in order to restore overgrown woodlands to native oak savanna.  Oak savanna and prairie restoration are vital to ensure that our urban communities remain beautiful for many years to come.

This project is made possible by support from the City of Vadnais Heights and the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.