UPDATE: Please confirm with host organizations about the status of listed events. Many in-person events have been cancelled, or there may be virtual options for some events.
See our Upcoming Events page, or check our community calendar below for upcoming green community events in Minnesota, or submit your own event!
Events in September–October 2021
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- Toy Lending Event
Toy Lending Event
Toy Lending Event
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September 8, 2021Come to our toy lending event to become a member of the toy library. Access to over 1,000 toys appropriate for children age birth to 5.
Richfield Lutheran Church8 W 60th StRichfield, MN 55419 -
- Toy Lending Event
Toy Lending Event
Toy Lending Event
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September 22, 2021Come to our toy lending event to become a member of the toy library. Access to over 1,000 toys appropriate for children age birth to 5.
Richfield Lutheran Church8 W 60th StRichfield, MN 55419 -
- National Public Lands Day Understory Planting with Great River Greening
National Public Lands Day Understory Planting with Great River Greening
National Public Lands Day Understory Planting with Great River Greening
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September 25, 2021Join Great River Greening for a Saturday morning planting in celebration of National Public Lands Day! Together, we will enhance the composition and diversity of this maple basswood forest through tree and understory planting in pockets where trees were previously thinned.
This is a family-friendly event. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to attend. No previous knowledge or experience is necessary, we will provide the tools and training required.
We will have light snacks and extra water available, however, please bring your own reusable water bottle and any additional snacks or lunch items you may need. There will be a portable sanitation unit on site.
Capacity is limited and registration is required. Learn more and sign up today!Mound-Westonka, MN 55364 -
- Hidden Falls Regional Park Planting with Great River Greening
Hidden Falls Regional Park Planting with Great River Greening
Hidden Falls Regional Park Planting with Great River Greening
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October 2, 2021Join Great River Greening for a Saturday morning event kicking of our restoration project in Hidden Falls Regional Park. Volunteers will help plant native species to help diversify the park and provide additional habitat for pollinators and other local critters.
This is a family-friendly event. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to attend. No previous knowledge or experience is necessary, we will provide the tools and training required.
We will have light snacks and extra water available, however, please bring your own reusable water bottle and any additional snacks or lunch items you may need. We will have access to the park shelter and facilities.
Capacity is limited and registration is required. Learn more and sign up today!Hidden Falls Regional ParkSt. Paul, MN 55116 -
- Toy Lending Event
Toy Lending Event
Toy Lending Event
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October 6, 2021Come to our toy lending event to become a member of the toy library. Access to over 1,000 toys appropriate for children age birth to 5.
Richfield Lutheran Church8 W 60th StRichfield, MN 55419 -
- Tree Planting at Carlos Avery WMA with Great River Greening
Tree Planting at Carlos Avery WMA with Great River Greening
Tree Planting at Carlos Avery WMA with Great River Greening
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October 9, 2021Join Great River Greening for a Saturday afternoon tree planting at Carlos Avery WMA. Carlos Avery WMA is a vast natural area of 20,000 acres. Its primary purpose is to provide hunting opportunities, but it is also a popular destination for fall color watching, bird watching, fishing, and scenic drives.
Great River Greening has partnered with Carlos Avery for more than 5 years on various projects throughout the site, from forest restoration to wild rice seeding. We have also worked on prairie restorations, including a volunteer event at the Viking Drive units. In that same theme, we are working with Carlos Avery to restore three former agriculture fields that have been fallow for many years.
This is a family-friendly event. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to attend. No previous knowledge or experience is necessary, we will provide the tools and training required.
Capacity is limited and registration is required. Learn more and register today.Hwy 19Stacy, MN 55079 -
- Silvopasture Workshop + Oak Savanna Restoration | Living Song Farm, Howard Lake
Silvopasture Workshop + Oak Savanna Restoration | Living Song Farm, Howard Lake
Silvopasture Workshop + Oak Savanna Restoration | Living Song Farm, Howard Lake
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October 14, 2021Join Great River Greening, University of Minnesota Extension, and the Sustainable Forestry Association for a hands-on day of learning. Together farmers, scientists, and natural resource professionals will lead stations where participants will learn more about silvopasture techniques (the integration of trees and grazing livestock on the same landscape), oak savanna restoration, and more at Living Song Farm in Howard Lake.
This is a family-friendly event. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to attend. No previous knowledge or experience is necessary, we will provide the tools and training required.
Please note: The walk from the parking area to the work area will be about a half-mile walk. Half of the walk will be along a gravel road, with the other half through an open field with slight incline.
We will have light snacks and extra water available, however, please bring your own reusable water bottle and any additional snacks or lunch items you may need. There will be a portable sanitation unit on site.
7610 25th St SWHoward Lake, MN 55349United States -
- Toy Lending Event
Toy Lending Event
Toy Lending Event
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October 20, 2021Come to our toy lending event to become a member of the toy library. Access to over 1,000 toys appropriate for children age birth to 5.
Richfield Lutheran Church8 W 60th StRichfield, MN 55419 -
- Haul and Stack Buckthorn Brush at Quarry Park with Great River Greening, Milkweed Seed Drive - independent seed collection
Haul and Stack Buckthorn Brush at Quarry Park with Great River Greening
Haul and Stack Buckthorn Brush at Quarry Park with Great River Greening
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October 30, 2021Join Great River Greening as we continue the restoration of select pockets throughout Quarry Park & Reserve and Quarry Park Scientific Natural Area, two areas combined into a large block of protected land in Waite Park. High-quality forest makes up most of the Reserve and SNA, punctuated by granite outcrops that open up and become prairie and oak savanna. The outcroppings make perfect spots to stack pre-cut buckthorn. Help us clear the landscape to open up the forest floor.
This is a family-friendly event. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to attend. No previous knowledge or experience is necessary, we will provide the tools and training required.
We will have light snacks and extra water available, however, please bring your own reusable water bottle and any additional snacks or lunch items you may need. We will have access to the park shelter and facilities.
Capacity is limited and registration is required. Learn more and sign up today!1802 Co Rd 137Waite Park, MN 56387Milkweed Seed Drive - independent seed collectionMilkweed Seed Drive - independent seed collection
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October 30, 2021Join the milkweed seed drive! Great River Greening is collecting native milkweed seed from across Minnesota. Volunteers will independently collect milkweed seed pods and drop the seed off for Great River Greening's use. All of the collected seed will be distributed at restoration projects associated with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund to bolster the amount of milkweed available to monarchs.
Our goal is to collect 8+ pounds of milkweed seed -- that means we will need 2,300-2,500 pods worth of seed by the end of 2022.
Due to the current drought, many plants are experiencing an 'early fall' so this is a great time to start scouting for seed pods forming on milkweed plants. The pods are ready to collect when they began turning a dry golden color and start to split open. This will likely start to happen mid-to-late August and continue throughout the fall.
Easy to follow collection steps:
- Collect clean, mature pods (starting to dry and split) from native wild plants.
- Seed must be separated and labeled based on species type and collection site.
- Paper bags work well.
- Please dry the pods.
- If you are able, please also clean the "fluff" from the seeds - gently pull or shake seeds free.Additional resources and collection notes will be shared will all registered participants as well as suggested drop-off times and locations. Seed will need to be dropped off at Great River Greening's St. Paul office or upcoming restoration event.
QUESTIONS:
Contact Amy Kilgore, Great River Greening's Outreach Program Manager, at volunteer@greatrivergreening.org or call 651.272.3989.
Learn more about Great River Greening at greatrivergreening.org.
