Vermillion Stewards thats a wrap!
After a great year of stewardship and education events, our 2007 Vermillion Stewards program has officially wrapped up for the year.
FMR organized nine public stewardship projects, three educational and interpretive events and three independent stewardship projects at multiple sites across the watershed. In total, 269 volunteers participated in these activities, contributing almost 600 hours of volunteer service in the watershed.
Some highlights from this season were a pair of volunteer seed collection events and the Sand Coulee, near Hastings and the newly created Sand Coulee Scientific and Natural Area, an uncommon dry sand prairie home to 13 rare plant and animal species. Joined by FMR ecologist Karen Schik, 51 Vermillion Stewards contributed 72 hours of service collecting native seed to help re-establish native prairie landscape at this ecologically valuable parcel.
Another highlight was the Vermillion River Trout Survey this past October. Using electro-shocking equipment, DNR and FMR staff joined 17 Vermillion Stewards in contributing 34 hours of volunteer time to surveying the Vermillion Rivers trophy trout population.
The electric current temporarily stuns the fish, allowing them to be netted and placed in a water-filled tub. The fish are then counted, measured and released back into the Vermillion River. This survey helps us track changes to trout populations in this unique and rare trophy trout stream.
Our special thanks to the great work of all the Vermillion Stewards this past season. In addition, FMR recognizes the Vermillion Joint Powers Organization, the US Fish and Wildlife Service Private Stewardship Grant, The Rosemount Community Trust, The Toro Foundation and Timberland Corporation for their contributions to the Vermillion Stewards Program in 2007.
Funding for selected projects included in the 2007 Vermillion Stewards Program was recommended by the Legislative and Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources from the Minnesota Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund.
Without the support of these great organizations, the Vermillion Stewards program could not have achieved such great success in 2007. Thank You!
For more information or to get involved in future Vermillion Stewards projects, please contact Trevor Russell, FMR Watershed Program Director, at 651-222-2193 x18 or through our contact form.