Lop buckthorn and build wildlife habitat piles in the river gorge [FULL]

Saturday, October 19, 2019 - 9:00am to Sunday, October 20, 2019 - 10:45am
Mississippi River Gorge Sand Flats
A volunteer hauls buckthorn in the river gorge

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

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Join FMR staff and volunteers for a morning of working along the beautiful Mississippi river on the Minneapolis side of the river gorge.

This event will take place in the sand flats - an area of riverside floodplain forest at the north end of FMR's 36th St. Oak Savanna restoration project.

Volunteers will have two main tasks: first, we'll lop invasive buckthorn branches to stop another year’s worth of seed from dropping and spreading. Then, using the lopped branches and some larger buckthorn stems, we'll create wildlife habitat piles. These carefully constructed piles will provide shelter, nesting and foraging areas, and protection from predators for wildlife ranging from amphibians and reptiles to small mammals and birds. Together, these tasks will open up habitat for additional native plants and improve the quality of wildlife habitat in the river gorge.

No experience is needed. All tools, gloves and training will be provided. While the work site is on relatively flat terrain, access to the site is only by a steep staircase. Due to tools and access, 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 people 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. Thank you for understanding! Please visit the events calendar for more ways to get involved.

  • To receive notices of all FMR events, sign up for our twice-a-month e-newsletter, Mississippi Messages 
  • To be notified of future events at this particular location, contact FMR Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator Sophie Downey at volunteer@fmr.org
Thank you to our partners and funders: 

Thanks to our Gorge Stewards Program partners and funders: Longfellow Community Council, Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, Andeavor Foundation, The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Xcel Energy, National Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service and by our generous donors, like you!

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.
Virtual and in-person
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Hampton Woods Wildlife Management Area