Join Friends of the Mississippi River, Flint Hills Resources and Great River Greening as we return to the Flint Hills property within the Pine Bend Bluffs Natural Area along the Mississippi River — one of the largest and most diverse native ecosystems left in the metro area! The site is only accessible to the public for special occasions like this annual restoration event. Join us for a chance to see it for yourself.

Working with FMR and Great River Greening ecologists and staff, volunteers will help protect these native plant communities by helping to stack pre-cut buckthorn brush, and assisting with other restoration tasks as needed. Everyone will be encouraged to work at their own comfort level and no previous experience is necessary. All tools and supplies will be provided, including coffee, morning snacks and a hot lunch to conclude the event!

This award-winning restoration project includes a sand-gravel prairie, oak savanna and oak forest plant communities. Healthy forest floors and prairies improve the health of our local waters by reducing or absorbing runoff pollution and decreasing erosion. This site is also an important part of the Mississippi River migratory bird flyway, used by 40 percent of North American waterfowl and millions of migratory songbirds annually. Many of those birds, as well as bees, butterflies and our local wildlife, depend upon the native prairie, savanna and forest plants for their survival, especially under the stress of increasing average temperatures. 

Ready to register?

• Please click the blue "Register" button below.
• Click the green "Start Checkout" button.
• Fill out the form including checking boxes at the bottom of the form.
• Click the green "Summary" button.
• Click the green "Checkout" button.
• You'll see a summary of your registration information. At the top there will be a "Pay Offline (Check or Cash)" option automatically selected for you. You can ignore this and proceed to the next step; there is no charge for this event.
• Click the green "Submit" button.
• You're registered!

You should immediately receive a confirmation email from cpomeroy@fmr.org. If you don't receive a confirmation email, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Carrie Pomeroy at cpomeroy@fmr.org. Please reach out to Carrie with any questions about registration for this event.

Can't make it?

To receive notices of future volunteer events, contact FMR's Volunteer Coordinator 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.