Tend native prairie plants at Old Mill Park

In fall 2014, Hastings High School students and FMR ecologists planted a small prairie at the entrance of Old Mill Park. Volunteers are now needed to work with FMR Lead Ecologist Karen Schik and Stewardship Events Coordinator Adam Flett to help remove weeds and assist with other tending tasks to help these young plants make it through summer.

Once established, the prairie plants will provide much-needed bee, butterfly and bird habitat. The plants also double as a park amenity, serving as a beautiful welcome to Old Mill Park. Be sure to make extra time to explore this popular city park, home to a nearby oak savanna being restored by FMR as well as the ruins of Minnesota's first mill on the banks of the Vermillion River.

This river is a rare trophy trout stream, a major tributary of the Mississippi River and the inspiration for the Vermillion Stewards program, helping residents learn about the watershed while working to protect and enhance its unique natural resources. Event participants will be invited to the nearby  Vermillion River Trout Survey later in the season, where they can help survey the wildlife and wade into the river they're helping to protect.

Ready to register?

To ensure a high-quality experience and adequate supplies, capacity is limited and advance registration required. Please note: When native plants are very young it can be difficult to tell the difference between them and the weeds we need to pull. So while many FMR events are family-friendly, this one is probably not the best fit for most kids.

To sign up, contact FMR Volunteer Coordinator Amy Kilgore via our contact form (please change Category from "general inquiries" to "volunteering") or at akilgore@fmr.org, 651-222-2193 x31.

Please include: the name of the event, your name, address and phone number and the number in your party. You will receive a confirmation email and additional details, such as directions and what to wear, from akilgore@fmr.org within, at most, two business days. If you don't see a confirmation from us, please check your spam folder.

Under 18 and planning to participate on your own? Please have your parent or guardian complete this quick online form.