Habitat Restoration Events

Thursdays: May 1, 8, 15 & 22; 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Drop in and get your hands dirty while restoring habitat! The Coldwater Spring Restoration Crew meets weekly throughout the year to maintain Coldwater Spring, just south of Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis. Activities include vegetation removal, site exploration, and other outdoor restoration tasks. If you like to be outdoors and create tangible change in the environment, this opportunity is for you!

Wednesday, May 7; 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Saturday, May 31; 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Help us take care of the floodplain forest! The Crosby Crew meets regularly at Crosby Farm Regional Park, which hosts the Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change study—a long-term research project aimed at helping our forests become more resilient. The Crew will primarily focus on maintaining research plots and collecting data, providing crucial care in the project's formative years. We will also manage introduced species like garlic mustard and burdock throughout the park.

Saturday, May 10; 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Grey Cloud Dunes Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) is one of two SNAs in the Mississippi River and National Recreation Area. The site hosts upland dry prairie and lowland floodplain forests and is a valuable habitat for wildlife such as the North American racer and Henslow’s sparrow. MPC and NPS, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR), are hosting habitat restoration events throughout the season to preserve the site.

We will remove introduced species by either hand pulling or lopping woody stems, depending on the time of the year, to protect the site. More details on target species and activity will be shared TBD.

There are no maintained trails or facilities on-site. For further information about Grey Cloud Dunes SNA, read the MN Department of Natural Resources’ webpage for a map and site description.

Friday, May 16, 2025

1st Shift at Upper Landing Park: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

2nd Shift at Lower Landing Park: 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Did you know May is Arbor Month? Celebrate with Mississippi Park Connection, the National Park Service, the City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, and Ramsey County by planting trees into their forever homes along Shepard Road. These trees will replace the vandalized trees from Fall 2024. Volunteers can expect to plant trees, mulch, water, and stake them. The farthest planting site from the meeting location is a mile walk total (1/2 mile both ways).

This is a family-friendly event with proper guardian supervision. However, please be aware that planting locations are along Shepard Road with posted speed limits of 40-45 MPH. Volunteers must be 12 years and older to participate, and volunteers under 18 years old must complete a minor Volunteer Service Agreement form.

The first shift will start at Upper Landing Park, and the second shift will launch from Lower Landing Park. All tools and equipment will be provided.