Tend the planted prairie at Indian Mounds Park [FULL - register for waitlist]

Indian Mounds Park is home to one of the most photographed river views in the metro area. FMR volunteers — including students from nearby Harding High Earth Club, community members (including Friends of Mounds Park) and individuals and families from throughout the metro area have been restoring the native bluff prairie at historic Indian Mounds Park's since 2011.

Volunteers are now needed to lend a hand working with FMR to tend the planted prairie previously installed by other Indian Mounds Park stewards. We will remove willow and invasive grasses to allow native prairie plants to spread and thrive. Thanks to their deep roots, these prairie plants help anchor the steep bluff soil and filter pollutants, such as oil and lawn chemicals, carried to the bluff by stormwater. They also provide important bee, butterfly and bird habitat.

Please wear sturdy shoes and be prepared to work on steep and uneven terrain. All are welcome, but capacity is limited and registration is required. As always, all tools and training will be provided and volunteers are encouraged to work at their own pace and comfort level.

Ready to register?

While this event is full, you can still sign up for the waitlist. Please contact FMR Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator Sophie Downey at volunteer@fmr.org, 651.222.2193 x27, or by selecting Sophie by name under "Category" via the FMR contact form. Please include the name of the event, your name, address and phone number and the number in your party. We will contact you if a spot opens up.Can't make it?

To receive notices of future Eastside Stewards events, contact FMR Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator Sophie Downey 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.

What about COVID-19?

We've modified our events this year to be smaller, and allow for individuals to work while safely six feet apart. All tools will be sanitized between events, and all gloves provided are unused in 2020. Once registered, volunteers will receive a full list of safety precautions and guidelines. You can read more about our policies here.

We're watching the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health guidelines closely. If plans change based on their recommendations, FMR Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator Sophie Downey will email registrants with event updates. (Be sure to add volunteer@fmr.org to your contacts so updates don't land in spam.) And we'll update this page if anything changes.

We will offer gloves and hand sanitizer at the event. Volunteers are required to bring and wear their own masks.