Deadwood Haul, Fire Prep at Ravine Lake

With 515 acres of hills and heavily wooded ravines, a small lake and a smattering of small prairies, Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park features a beautifully diverse landscape. A glacial tunnel valley bisects the park, featuring 80- to 100-foot slopes home to a compelling array of vegetation and habitats. The ravine ends in a small lake where people enjoy fishing, birdwatching and picnics.

In addition to being beautiful, the park's dramatic natural features play an important water-quality role, helping to filter pollution from post-rainstorm runoff that would otherwise enter the Mississippi River. Ravine Park's restoration is also part of a larger effort in Washington County — involving FMR, Washington County, the City of Cottage Grove, 3M and many other partners — to protect and preserve a natural green corridor for our waters, our wildlife and our heritage.

At this lakefront restoration site, FMR volunteers have done a great job removing invasive species and assisting with other restoration tasks. Now it's time to call in the professional fire crews to take it to the next level by performing a prescribed burn. Unfortunately, though, there are too many dead fallen trees and too much cut brush for the crew to work here safely!

Come help FMR Senior Ecologist Karen Schik and other FMR and Washington County staff remove the deadwood and brush so we can take this important next step in this site's restoration. No experience is required and all supplies, including pizza, will be provided. And, of course, park entry (normally $5) is free for participating volunteers.

Ready to register?

To ensure a high-quality experience and adequate supplies, capacity is limited and advance registration required. Individuals, families and small groups are all welcome and no experience is required! 

To sign up, contact FMR Event Registrar Amy Kilgore via our contact form (please change Category from "general inquiries" to "volunteering") or at akilgore@fmr.org, 651-222-2193 x31.

Please include: the name of the event, your name, address and phone number and the number in your party. You will receive a confirmation email and additional details, such as directions and what to wear, from akilgore@fmr.org within, at most, two business days. If you don't see a confirmation from us, please check your spam folder.

Under 18 and planning to participate on your own? Please have your parent or guardian complete this quick online form.

More information

Please note: Any addresses or park maps provided via the links below are for general use only. Event registrants will be emailed a map to the correct event meeting spot.

• Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park — FMR's newest restoration site
• More about the park and other upcoming events from Washington County
• Interactive park map and information from the City of Cottage Grove
• Ravine Lake, fishing-focused, DNR description
• Photos of similar events, FMR volunteer brush-hauls at Ravine Park from fall 2012 and 2013