Thanks all around for Gorge Stewards success

Volunteers remove buckthorn near 44th St. and West River Parkway in Minneapolis

The Gorge Leadership Team, launched as a new initiative this year, was a great success. A team of 20 volunteers was recruited to step into a bigger role as stewards of this amazing resource. The team's work focused chiefly on two high quality sites in the gorge in Minneapolis -- the oak savanna at 36th Street and West River Parkway and the maple-basswood forest at 44th Street and West River Parkway. With training and guidance from conservation biologist Carolyn Carr and FMR Stewardship Coordinator Karen Solas, the team learned about habitat, water quality and restoration practices during each of the six team outings. Team members also assisted with public workday events in the gorge and conducted outreach at community events throughout the season. All told, the team has put in 509 volunteer hours so far in 2008.

Our new focus at Crosby Farm Park in Saint Paul has been a popular addition to Gorge Stewards programming. With the help of Saint Paul Parks staff, a burn was conducted last spring on a four-acre site near the park entrance. Volunteers assisted with planting prairie plugs, seeding and invasive species removal throughout the season. The result is a beautiful demonstration prairie that provides critical habitat and improved flood storage capacity. Although they were not structured as a formal team, a number of volunteers became attached to the project and participated in two or more events. Crosby drew 173 volunteers who conducted 404 hours of restoration work.

FMR also coordinated several other public events in the gorge, including clean-ups, restoration work and educational workshops. Overall in 2008, we engaged 1,271 volunteers and program participants and completed in 2,030 hours of work in the gorge.

Thank you partners and sponsors!

The Gorge Stewards Program engages hundreds of people each year in rewarding volunteer and educational experiences. Their good work would not be possible without support from our many partners and sponsors.

Special thanks to our two local watersheds, the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization and the Capitol Region Watershed District who provided significant funding and partner support this year. The Longfellow Community Council also contributed funds in support of the project.

We were fortunate to receive several local business sponsorships this year for the project as well. Aveda and Mother Earth Gardens were sustaining sponsors ($500) and Bibelot Shops, Merlin's Rest and Northern Sun Merchandise were supporting sponsors ($250). Please consider supporting these businesses, and be sure to thank them for supporting the Gorge Stewards!

FMR has also received grants from corporations and foundations in support of the Gorge Stewards Program. In 2008, these included Wells Fargo, Xcel Energy, Gannett Foundation as Recommended by KARE 11, Toro Company and the Royal Bank of Canada.

Thanks also to the National Park Service, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and the City of Saint Paul Division of Parks and Recreation for their partnership and assistance with implementing the program.

To learn more about our successful season and see some great photos of our volunteer events, check out the Gorge Stewards Blog.