3 paddling routes to try from our 'Paddle, restore and learn' series

Our "Paddle, restore and learn" event series brought a total of 74 volunteers out on the water together this year. 

This trio of free events combined paddling with education and habitat restoration work, giving participants a glimpse into multiple FMR programs at each event. From a primer on agricultural policy in a soybean field-turned prairie in Elk River to a fishing intro on an oxbow lake in Hastings, these outings weren't your typical volunteer events.

Volunteer Program Manager Carrie Pomeroy reflects, "These events offered a memorable opportunity for volunteers to paddle the river, learn from river experts and then participate in a hands-on restoration activity. At each event, participants formed a river community bonding around experiencing the Mississippi together in new ways."

The events drew both new and returning volunteers. They were some of our most popular events to date, with long waitlists and rave reviews from participants. Since these events filled fast, we wanted to share the routes and topics so you could explore on your own.

From Otsego to the Mississippi and Elk River confluence

The first outing in this event series was a literal field trip. Unfortunately, the paddle portion of the outing was canceled due to heavy rain and lightning. But after the storm clouds cleared, volunteers participated in stewardship and learning at a restored prairie located in a former agricultural field at the William H. Houlton Conservation Area in Elk River, one of the largest undeveloped riverfront properties in the metro.

During the event, FMR Agricultural Policy Manager Peter LaFontaine talked about clean-water crops, including Kernza, pennycress and hazelnuts, and their potential to stem water pollution. These crops not only protect the river, they're also really tasty. You can learn more at our introduction to clean-water crops.

Volunteers planted leadplant, a native prairie species, to support pollinators and wildlife. Despite the paddle cancellation, staff from our paddling outfitter, Twin Cities Kayaking, demonstrated their event support by showing up to learn and volunteer alongside registrants.

Want to paddle the route we planned for this event?

Launch at Norin Landing in Otsego, float past FMR conservation sites Davis Farm Park and the William H. Houlton Conservation Area, then disembark at Carrick's Landing in Otsego.

Don't have your own boat? Check out the City of Otsego's Paddle Port kayak rental program.

From Minneapolis to St. Paul through the Mississippi River Gorge

The Mississippi River Gorge in the Twin Cities is the only true gorge along the entire 2,350-mile length of the Mississippi. This stretch from St. Anthony Falls to the confluence with the Minnesota River is an oasis of steep limestone and sandstone bluffs, rugged ravines and natural springs.

Since the second "Paddle, restore and learn" event's route brought participants through Lock and Dam 1, Dr. Bruce Braun of the University of Minnesota's Geography, Environment and Society department spoke about the future of the gorge, including the potential removal of some Twin Cities locks and dams — and what our communities still need to understand before deciding.

Here's our primer on the lock and dam question and a visualization of what an undammed Mississippi River Gorge might look like. 

Volunteers also got their hands dirty planting native shrubs to help restore habitat at FMR's floodplain restoration site at Longfellow Beach (also known as the sand flats).

Want to paddle this route?

Launch at Bohemian Flats Park in Minneapolis, float past FMR conservation sites in the Mississippi River Gorge, take a lunch break at the sand flats (also known as Longfellow Beach), travel through Lock and Dam 1 and land at Hidden Falls Regional Park in St. Paul.

Don't have your own boat? Check out Paddle Share's kayak rental program and (shorter, but still great) gorge route.

Around Lake Rebecca in Hastings

For this event, FMR staff had to get creative to plan a route. We knew we wanted to host a "Paddle, restore and learn" outing around the Vermillion River — a vital Mississippi River tributary — and its watershed, since this area has been a major focus of FMR restoration efforts. Although the Vermillion offers some great paddling opportunities, finding a stretch near our work sites that was appropriate for all skill levels proved tricky. 

So we chose to paddle Lake Rebecca, a Mississippi River oxbow lake just below Lock and Dam 2 in Hastings. Participants learned about FMR's habitat restoration at the site, saw examples of FMR's land protection work, and viewed the myriad bird species that call Lake Rebecca home.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' Mark Nemeth, Rebecca Bullers and Mario Travaline joined us to give a presentation on Minnesota's fish species. They led participants in an electrofishing demonstration and a fish identification activity. The DNR's Fishing in the Neighborhood program offers great resources for beginning anglers, and you can learn more about fishing specifically in Lake Rebecca here.

We ended our day near the river, collecting native prairie seed at Hastings River Flats, another FMR restoration site located adjacent to Lake Rebecca. FMR ecologists will use seeds collected at the event to continue restoring native prairie at this and other FMR restoration sites.

Want to try this paddle?

Launch at Lake Rebecca Park in Hastings and explore this oxbow lake — formerly a part of the main Mississippi River channel.

Thank you to participants and partners

One participant gave our "Paddle, restore and learn" event this review: "In short, there was the feeling that this was a really professional, experienced team who had done this kind of thing for years but retained the energy, wonder, passion and excitement to share their enthusiasm with others. It was rewarding from beginning to end, and I’d like to commend everyone who had a part in making this such a delightful adventure."

We'd like to thank the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for funding these events. We'd also like to thank our partners Twin Cities Kayaking, Inland Sea Kayakers, the City of Elk River, the City of Hastings, St. Paul Parks and Recreation, and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. Special thanks, too, to all the participants who joined us for these full days of adventure.