Pull invasive plants at the William H. Houlton Conservation Area

Saturday, June 7, 2025 - 9:00am to 11:00am
William H. Houlton Conservation Area, Elk River
A volunteer pulling dame's rocket

A volunteer pulls invasive dame's rocket from the floodplain forest at the site.

Join Friends of the Mississippi River staff and volunteers for a morning of habitat restoration work at the William H. Houlton Conservation Area (or Houlton Farm). The William H. Houlton Conservation Area is a 335-acre property located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Elk rivers and is one of the largest undeveloped riverfront properties between Elk River and Hastings.

FMR staff and ecologists will provide a brief introduction to the site and an overview of how to identify and pull garlic mustard and dame's rocket. By removing invasive plants like these, we will be making way for important native plants and helping to increase biodiversity. Over our time working at the site we've seen an increase in bees, butterflies and small reptiles.

All are welcome. As always, all training, gloves and necessary tools will be provided. However, registration is required, and capacity is limited.

Accessibility

The worksite for this event is only accessible by a long walk, around half a mile. Once at the site, volunteers will be working on uneven terrain with cut stumps. Stinging nettle is present within the work area, so we recommend long sleeves and pants. 

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 651.477.0952. 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.

Partner series: Mississippi River Days of Action

Sunday, June 1, 2025 - 9:00am to Sunday, June 15, 2025 - 9:00pm
All 10 states adjacent to the Mississippi River
This event is part of One Mississippi's River Days of Action, a celebration of volunteers and advocates working in concert from the headwaters to the gulf. See all the offerings from FMR and dozens of Mississippi River organizations!
Thank you to our partners and funders: 

The City of Elk River, Connexus, the Friends of the William H. Houlton Conservation Area, and One Mississippi

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Riverside Park, St. Paul Park
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
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Thursday, May 15, 2025 - 7:30pm
DeLaSalle High School, near Nicollet Island, Minneapolis