Help plant a pollinator garden at Hastings' Southwest Park Ponding Basin
A volunteer plants a wildflower at an FMR volunteer event. (Photo by Rich Wahls for FMR)
Join us to help plant a pollinator garden at Hastings' Southwest Park Ponding Basin — also called the Louis Lane Ponding Basin — one of the newer FMR restoration sites. This event is part of One Mississippi's River Days of Action, a series of 30+ events in-person and online happening June 1-15. Find out more about River Days of Action.
Less than a mile from the Mississippi River, the site is a 17-acre city-owned park that features a pollinator garden planted by the local group the Hastings Environmental Protectors. FMR has created a management plan to further support pollinators by converting turfgrass and degraded grassland into high-quality prairie. The Southwest Park Ponding Basin is one of a half-dozen FMR restoration sites in the Hastings area. While relatively small, sites like this link up with other nearby restoration sites for a big impact on wildlife and water quality, creating corridors of restored habitat. Converting turfgrass in the park to a landscape of deep-rooted native plants will not only provide habitat for pollinators and wildlife, but also provide a filter for runoff and encourage an interest in local stewardship.
Together with the guidance of FMR staff, volunteers will plant native prairie species, focusing on pollinator plants like milkweeds, blazing stars and asters to improve pollinator habitat.
All are welcome. No experience is needed. However, registration is required and capacity is limited. All tools, gloves and training will be provided.
Accessibility
Parking will be available on city streets surrounding the park. The planting locations for this event will require a half-mile walk along wide, paved trails. The park has rolling terrain, and the trails are somewhat hilly. Once at the planting locations, the planting will be a low-intensity activity. FMR will provide a few kneeling pads. Watering the plants will be moderately strenuous, and that work will be shared between people able to carry up to 40 pounds of water in a bucket.
Ready to register?
Please use the form below to register for this event. If you have questions or concerns, you can contact us at volunteer@fmr.org or 651.477.0925.
If you're under 18 and interested in volunteering without the company of your parent or guardian, please take a moment and have them fill out this brief minor permission form.
Can't make it?
To receive notices of future volunteer events, contact us at volunteer@fmr.org. Or, visit our events calendar for our most up-to-date listing of upcoming events. To receive a twice-a-month e-newsletter including all FMR activities and news, sign up for Mississippi Messages.
The City of Hastings, Hastings Environmental Protectors, the Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program, One Mississippi, and FMR donors and volunteers like you!