Paddle, restore and learn at Lake Rebecca Park
Join FMR for a unique opportunity to paddle Lake Rebecca, a beautiful oxbow lake near the Mississippi River. You'll also learn about local fish and fishing techniques and take part in habitat restoration at Hastings River Flats Park.
Twin Cities Kayaking will provide outfitting and a safety orientation, all free of charge to participants. Participants in this event may also opt to bring their own kayaks or canoes, though boat licenses must be valid and up-to-date, and participants bringing their own boats must also bring their own paddles and personal flotation devices.
After paddling Lake Rebecca, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' Mark Nemeth will give a presentation on electrofishing and the DNR's Fishing in the Neighborhood program and offer a chance to try fishing.
We'll have a picnic lunch with cozy, hot drinks near the lake. Volunteers can opt to bring their own lunch or purchase a box lunch from Spiral Co-op in Hastings when they register.
We'll end our day near the river collecting native prairie seed at Hastings River Flats Park, an FMR restoration site located near Lake Rebecca. FMR ecologists will use seed collected at the event to continue to restore native prairie at Hastings-area sites.
Estimated timeline (subject to change the day of the event)
- 8:30-9 a.m. Participants check in
- 9-9:30 a.m. Outfitting for kayaking and safety orientation
- 9:45-11:15 a.m. Paddling on Lake Rebecca in kayaks from Twin Cities Kayaking or in participants' own canoes or kayaks
- 11:15-11:45 a.m. Removing boats from water, cleaning and reloading on cars and trailers, with an optional opportunity to hear about the DNR's Fishing in the Neighborhood program from the DNR's Mark Nemeth
- 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch break, with more opportunities to learn about Fishing in the Neighborhood
- 12:15-1 p.m. Educational presentation and electrofishing demonstration with Mark Nemeth
- 1-3 p.m. Native prairie seed collection restoration activity
- 3-3:15 p.m. Tool return, event debrief and wrap-up
- 3:15 p.m. Event ends
What's provided
- For those who register to use them, free use of single-person kayaks from Twin Cities Kayaking, paddles and personal flotation vests (Those who opt to use their own boats must indicate that choice when registering and bring their own personal flotation vests, paddles and boats with up-to-date registration.)
- Professional outfitting and safety orientation
- Snacks, drinking water, coffee and tea
- Habitat restoration supplies and training
- Lunches for those who purchase them ahead of time when registering (Everyone else should plan to bring their own lunch.)
Lunch options
Participants can either bring their own lunch or pre-purchase a box lunch from Hastings' Spiral Co-op. Vegan and gluten-free options are available for box lunches. To purchase a box lunch, please scroll all the way down on the registration form to see your lunch order options and click the appropriate option for you. Lunches are non-refundable after October 3, 2025.
About Lake Rebecca and Hastings River Flats
Lake Rebecca and Hastings River Flats are located in the floodplain of the Mississippi River, just south of Lock and Dam 2. There are several native plant communities in this area, including wetland, floodplain forest, terrace forest, oak savanna and prairie. Restoration activities have occurred since 2002! This area is highly valuable for wildlife and is a great spot for bird watching. Additionally, the Mississippi River Greenway runs through this park, connecting the upland bluffs to the floodplain habitat. Learn more about the history of restoration at this site.
Accessibility
Participants will have assistance getting in and out of kayaks and canoes and pushing off the lakeshore at the launch site, but it's possible you may need to wade briefly through shallow lake water when getting in and out. Please wear appropriate footwear and water-resistant or waterproof clothing. FMR staff, Twin Cities Kayaking staff and other volunteers can also assist with getting kayaks and canoes out of the water, cleaning them and loading them onto vehicles and trailers.
Lunch will be picnic-style, with most seating on picnic blankets on the ground. A limited number of tables and chairs will also be available for those who need them. Please feel welcome to bring your own folding camp chair if you have one.
The restoration activity, collecting native prairie seed, will be lower-impact and involve walking 0.5 miles on paved surfaces to reach the seed collection site. While collecting, volunteers will walk on uneven terrain in areas with no formal walking trails. Soil may be saturated depending on rainfall. Vegetation may be 5-8 feet tall. At the end of the event, volunteers will walk the same distance on paved surfaces to return to the parking area. Seed collection involves fine-motor work requiring some manual dexterity for some plants.
Ready to register? (Sorry, walkups are not allowed.)
Please use the registration form below to register, then watch for a confirmation email from Eventbrite and event reminders and details from FMR closer to the date of the event.
All participants must be at least 16 years of age. Participants under 18 must attend with a parent or guardian. Parents and guardians of participants who are under 18 must fill out this minor permission form before the event.
Each potential participant must be registered individually using the registration form so that we have an accurate count of volunteers and paddlers on the day of the event. Please indicate if you will be bringing your own boat or would like to reserve a single kayak from Twin Cities Kayaking.
Be sure to scroll all the way down on the registration form to order lunch if you choose to purchase a box lunch. The checkout page also has custom questions, so please be sure to answer those questions to complete your registration.
Can't make it?
To receive notices of future volunteer events, contact us at volunteer@fmr.org or 651.477.0925. 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.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, City of Hastings, Inland Sea Kayakers, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and donors like you!