Thanks to the support of local volunteers and a long-term partnership with 3M, Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) has had the privilege of helping to preserve and restore the oak woodlands at 3M's Cottage Grove facility near the Mississippi River. Former invasive species thickets are now home to wildflowers and wildlife, helping to connect adjacent natural areas and form part of a green corridor in southern Washington County.

On October 6, from 9am-12pm, we will start the morning with a light breakfast and info session, then volunteers will head off to work in small groups with FMR Staff to help restore the oak woodlands by hauling pre-cut brush, primarily buckthorn, before we wrap things up and enjoy a catered lunch provided by 3M.

All are welcome, no experience is needed. We'll provide the tools, gloves, and training, however, registration is required. Please note, this event typically fills fast, an early response is recommended. To learn more and register, visit https://fmr.org/events/2018/10/06/oak-woodland-brush-haul-lunch.

Thanks to the support of local volunteers and a long-term partnership with 3M, Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) has had the privilege of helping to preserve and restore the oak woodlands at 3M's Cottage Grove facility near the Mississippi River. Former invasive species thickets are now home to wildflowers and wildlife, helping to connect adjacent natural areas and form part of a green corridor in southern Washington County.

On October 6, from 9am-12pm, we will start the morning with a light breakfast and info session, then volunteers will head off to work in small groups with FMR Staff to help restore the oak woodlands by hauling pre-cut brush, primarily buckthorn, before we wrap things up and enjoy a catered lunch provided by 3M.

All are welcome, no experience is needed. We'll provide the tools, gloves, and training, however, registration is required. Please note, this event typically fills fast, an early response is recommended. To learn more and register, visit https://fmr.org/events/2018/10/06/oak-woodland-brush-haul-lunch.

Thanks to the support of local volunteers and a long-term partnership with 3M, Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) has had the privilege of helping to preserve and restore the oak woodlands at 3M's Cottage Grove facility near the Mississippi River. Former invasive species thickets are now home to wildflowers and wildlife, helping to connect adjacent natural areas and form part of a green corridor in southern Washington County.

On October 6, from 9am-12pm, we will start the morning with a light breakfast and info session, then volunteers will head off to work in small groups with FMR Staff to help restore the oak woodlands by hauling pre-cut brush, primarily buckthorn, before we wrap things up and enjoy a catered lunch provided by 3M.

All are welcome, no experience is needed. We'll provide the tools, gloves, and training, however, registration is required. Please note, this event typically fills fast, an early response is recommended. To learn more and register, visit https://fmr.org/events/2018/10/06/oak-woodland-brush-haul-lunch.

Registration is required:
https://www.greatrivergreening.org/events/restoration-on-minnehaha-greenway/

Volunteers will help plant large tree groves along the Rum River floodplain to reestablish the forest and prevent soil erosion. The property is under conservation easement and part of a larger restoration effort to improve the water quality of the river. Recommended ages 12 or older.

Partners and Funders:
Isanti County and The Nature Conservancy

Age: Recommended ages 12 or older
Level of Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Geography of the Site: Flat. Unpaved. Open.

Registration is required:
https://www.greatrivergreening.org/events/restoration-on-minnehaha-greenway/

Volunteers will enhance the habitat of the Minnehaha Greenway, a multi-year development by The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District that includes a re-meandered portion of the creek, new wetlands to deter runoff, and boardwalk and trails for public access.

The improvements made to this portion of the creek returned natural curves to the previously-straightened stream, lengthening it by 1,600 feet. The project treats polluted stormwater from more than 80 acres of surrounding area that previously flowed untreated into the creek, prevents erosion by slowing down water, creates fish and wildlife habitat, and connects the creek to its historic wetlands.

Partners and Funders:
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, City of Saint Louis Park, and Outdoor Heritage Fund

Age: Family Friendly
Level of Difficulty: Easy to moderate (Varied based on work units)
Geography of the Site: Flat to terrain (Varied based on work units). Also varied with walking distance. Paved. Open.

Join us for the first public restoration event on Nicollet Island! After over a year of planning, Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) is beginning habitat restoration on Nicollet Island. This will include removal of invasive species, enhancement of degraded forest areas, and the creation of new, diverse habitat, including two acres of native prairie and the re-creation of a pocket of maple forest historically present on the island.
On Saturday, October 13th, from 9-11 a.m. volunteers will dig in and begin planting shrubs and trees to increase diversity to the forest. All are welcome. No experience is needed however, registration is required and capacity is limited. All tools, gloves and training will be provided.
To learn more and register, visit https://fmr.org/events/2018/10/13/woodland-planting-nicollet-island

Join us for the first public restoration event on Nicollet Island! After over a year of planning, Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) is beginning habitat restoration on Nicollet Island. This will include removal of invasive species, enhancement of degraded forest areas, and the creation of new, diverse habitat, including two acres of native prairie and the re-creation of a pocket of maple forest historically present on the island.
On Saturday, October 13th, from 9-11 a.m. volunteers will dig in and begin planting shrubs and trees to increase diversity to the forest. All are welcome. No experience is needed however, registration is required and capacity is limited. All tools, gloves and training will be provided.
To learn more and register, visit https://fmr.org/events/2018/10/13/woodland-planting-nicollet-island

Join us for the first public restoration event on Nicollet Island! After over a year of planning, Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) is beginning habitat restoration on Nicollet Island. This will include removal of invasive species, enhancement of degraded forest areas, and the creation of new, diverse habitat, including two acres of native prairie and the re-creation of a pocket of maple forest historically present on the island.
On Saturday, October 13th, from 9-11 a.m. volunteers will dig in and begin planting shrubs and trees to increase diversity to the forest. All are welcome. No experience is needed however, registration is required and capacity is limited. All tools, gloves and training will be provided.
To learn more and register, visit https://fmr.org/events/2018/10/13/woodland-planting-nicollet-island

Join us for the first public restoration event on Nicollet Island! After over a year of planning, Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) is beginning habitat restoration on Nicollet Island. This will include removal of invasive species, enhancement of degraded forest areas, and the creation of new, diverse habitat, including two acres of native prairie and the re-creation of a pocket of maple forest historically present on the island.
On Saturday, October 13th, from 9-11 a.m. volunteers will dig in and begin planting shrubs and trees to increase diversity to the forest. All are welcome. No experience is needed however, registration is required and capacity is limited. All tools, gloves and training will be provided.
To learn more and register, visit https://fmr.org/events/2018/10/13/woodland-planting-nicollet-island

Join us for the first public restoration event on Nicollet Island! After over a year of planning, Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) is beginning habitat restoration on Nicollet Island. This will include removal of invasive species, enhancement of degraded forest areas, and the creation of new, diverse habitat, including two acres of native prairie and the re-creation of a pocket of maple forest historically present on the island.
On Saturday, October 13th, from 9-11 a.m. volunteers will dig in and begin planting shrubs and trees to increase diversity to the forest. All are welcome. No experience is needed however, registration is required and capacity is limited. All tools, gloves and training will be provided.
To learn more and register, visit https://fmr.org/events/2018/10/13/woodland-planting-nicollet-island

In addition to being beautiful, Ravine Park's dramatic natural features play an important role in water quality, helping to filter pollution from post-rainstorm runoff that would otherwise enter the Mississippi River.
Volunteers are needed on Saturday, October 20 from 9am - 12pm to help Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) haul out pre-cut brush, primarily buckthorn, to make way for native plants that originally called this park home. No experience is needed, however, registration is required. All tools, gloves and training will be provided. Participants should be prepared to work on uneven terrain. Entry to the park, normally $5, is free for participating volunteers! Concluding our hauling efforts, FMR will also provide lunch.
To learn more and register, visit https://fmr.org/events/2018/10/20/fall-brush-removal-ravine-park-lunch

In addition to being beautiful, Ravine Park's dramatic natural features play an important role in water quality, helping to filter pollution from post-rainstorm runoff that would otherwise enter the Mississippi River.
Volunteers are needed on Saturday, October 20 from 9am - 12pm to help Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) haul out pre-cut brush, primarily buckthorn, to make way for native plants that originally called this park home. No experience is needed, however, registration is required. All tools, gloves and training will be provided. Participants should be prepared to work on uneven terrain. Entry to the park, normally $5, is free for participating volunteers! Concluding our hauling efforts, FMR will also provide lunch.
To learn more and register, visit https://fmr.org/events/2018/10/20/fall-brush-removal-ravine-park-lunch

Join Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR), Flint Hills Resources and Great River Greening as we return to the Flint Hills property within the Pine Bend Bluffs Natural Area along the Mississippi River —— one of the largest and most diverse native ecosystems left in the metro area! The site is only accessible to the public for special occasions like this annual restoration and celebration event. Join us for a chance to see it for yourself on Saturday, October 27, 9 a.m.-noon.
Working with FMR and Great River Greening ecologists and staff, volunteers will help protect these native plant communities by removing invasive species, primarily— helping to stack pre-cut buckthorn brush, —and assisting with other restoration tasks as needed. Everyone will be encouraged to work at their own comfort level and no previous experience is necessary. All tools and supplies will be provided, —including coffee, morning snacks and a hot lunch to conclude the event!—
As always, all are welcome. However, due to the nature of the work on this site volunteers must be 15 years of age or older. Upon registration we will also need the name, address and phone number for each person in your party.
To learn more and register, visit https://fmr.org/events/2018/10/27/pine-bend-bluffs-natural-area-brush-haul-celebration