Join us on Thursday, May 23 from 6-8 pm for an evening garlic mustard pull in the oak woodlands bordering the Vermillion River, a cold prairie stream in the heart of Dakota County and a major tributary of the Mississippi River.
After a brief introduction and training, volunteers will help protect important members of the native plant community by removing the extremely invasive plant garlic mustard. Although a serious threat, garlic mustard is not only easy to identify but quick to pull by hand, resulting in very visible progress over the course of this event. Volunteers may also be asked to assist with other restoration tasks as needed.
All are welcome, however, capacity is limited and registration required. All supplies and training will be provided and volunteers will work closely with Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) staff. This event is part of the Vermillion Stewards program, helping Vermillion River Watershed residents learn about the local watershed while working to protect and enhance its unique natural resources. To learn more and register, visit https://fmr.org/events/2019/05/23/garlic-mustard-removal-vermillion-ama

Join Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) on June 6 from 6-8 pm to help tend the volunteer-planted demonstration interpretive native prairie at Crosby Farm Regional Park! Crosby Farm Park is a natural oasis in the heart of the city, nestled at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers.
The three-acre demonstration prairie where we will be focusing our work includes upward of 1,000 native prairie plants and a variety of species markers to educate and inform visitors. Volunteers will help weed and otherwise care for the planting and surrounding areas under the guidance of FMR staff.
As always, FMR will provide all training and supplies needed. All are welcome and encouraged to work at their own skill and comfort level. To learn more and register, visit https://fmr.org/events/2019/06/06/tend-demonstration-prairie-crosby-farm-park

With its tall grass and wildflowers, the Sand Coulee offers a different kind of beauty. With less than 1 percent of Minnesota native prairie remaining, this highly protected preserve is no less than an oasis in a desert of wildlife habitat –— 14 rare plant and animal species call the Coulee home. And with its deep prairie root systems, the Coulee also help filter pollutants from runoff water before it can enter the nearby Vermillion and Mississippi Rivers.
On June 27 from 6-8 pm, volunteers will work with Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) Restoration Ecologist Karen Schik to identify and help halt the spread of encroaching plants deemed by the Department of Natural Resources as a threat to the health of this important area. Together, volunteers and staff will remove a patch of the weedy invasive, helping to protect the prairie's threatened native plant species and improving wildlife habitat over the course of just a couple hours.
All are welcome, but capacity is limited and registration is required. As always, all tools and training will be provided and volunteers are encouraged to work at their own pace and comfort level. To learn more and register, visit https://fmr.org/events/2019/06/27/tend-rare-prairie-sand-coulee-sna