Plant native shrubs and lop fruiting buckthorn along the river gorge [FULL]

Thursday, September 6, 2018 - 6:00pm to Friday, September 7, 2018 - 7:45pm
Mississippi River Gorge along West River Parkway – detailed directions will be sent to all registered volunteers
Three volunteers with loppers ready to tackle buckthorn

This event has reached capacity and registrations are no longer being accepted. Please visit the events calendar for more ways to get involved.

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A surprisingly beautiful and rare oak savanna and woodlands can be found just off the main trail along the Minneapolis side of the river gorge.

The savanna includes the highest quality plant communities remaining in the river gorge, including a mesic prairie and a remnant oak brushland/woodland undergoing restoration to oak savanna. Come help restore and protect the woodlands just north of the oak savanna by lopping fruiting branches of female buckthorn to stop another year's worth of seed from dropping and spreading. This work will also make future contracted crew work most cost efficient, helping us to stretch our restoration dollars at the site. The rapidly spreading shrub is able to invade many different forest types, where it then crowds out native species such as young oaks and maples. We will also be planting native shrubs to further restoration progress at this site.

No experience is needed. All tools, gloves and training will be provided. However, be prepared to work on steep slopes and uneven terrain. Due to the tools and terrain, this event is not suitable for small children. Volunteers may also be asked to help with other restoration tasks as needed throughout the worksite.

This event is specifically supported by the local neighborhood group, the Longfellow Community Council, and Longfellow area residents are urged to register! The event is also part of the Gorge Stewards program, which actively engages citizens throughout the Twin Cities in the stewardship of the national treasure that is the Mississippi River Gorge.

Ready to register?

This event has reached capacity and registrations are no longer being accepted. Please visit the events calendar for more ways to get involved.

Can't make it?

Thank you to our partners and funders: 

This event is supported by the Longfellow Community Council. Additional thanks to other Gorge Stewards program partners and funders: Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and US Forest Service, Andeavor Foundation, RBC Wealth Management, The Minnesota Environment and Natural Resource Trust Fund, Xcel Energy, Great Lakes Brewing Company.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, April 20, 2024 - 9:30am to 12:00pm
West River Parkway and 36th Street/44th Street, Minneapolis
Applications due Friday, May 3 by 5 p.m.
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Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm
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