MNDNR Volunteer Opportunities
Winter 2018 - 19
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December 19, 2018
Help Make a Difference
 Candlelight Events
Join us in creating a magical night of cross country skiing, snowshoeing or walking on trails lit by the warm glow of luminaries! Listen for the barred owl at dusk and other winter night sounds. Hot beverages and bonfires will warm your fingers and toes when you return to the shelter.
Volunteer to assist with making ice luminaries, setting them out and lighting candles on the trail, staffing the warming shelter, taking photos, relighting candles throughout the event or picking them up at the end at one of the following candlelight events around the state:
New Year’s Eve Candlelight Walk Event – Fort Snelling State Park - Dec 31
Luce Line Trail Candlelight Hike Event – Friday Night, Jan 4
Frontenac Candlelight Ski/Snowshoe/Hike Event – January 19
Gateway State Trail Annual Candlelight Event – Friday, Jan 25
“Lake that Speaks” Luminary Hike – January 26
Afton State Park Candlelight Hike/Snowshoe Event – Feb 2
Candlelight Event at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park – February 2
Split Rock Lighthouse Candlelight Snowshoe & Hike Event - February 2
Candlelight Ski, Snowshoe, Hiking Event - Gooseberry Falls State Park, February 16
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Get Physical on a State Natural Area
As part of a typical volunteer workday on a MN Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) you will:
- collect prairie and woodland seeds
- plant seedlings
- pull buckthorn or other invasive species of plants
- cut and burn brush such as sumac
Projects are typically carried out on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, unless otherwise noted, on many weekends throughout the year.
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Amphibian/Reptile/Small Animal Database Assistance
Volunteers interested in small animals (especially amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals) are needed to assist with data entry, file scanning, specimen preparation, and various other projects involving the Minnesota Biological Survey.
Help is needed for a few hours primarily on Mondays and Tuesdays. Hours can be somewhat flexible depending upon your availability. All work must be done in the DNR Central Office at 500 Lafayette Rd. N, St Paul.
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 SNA Nature Photographers
Love taking photos and wish you could devote more time to it? We'll give you the chance!
Volunteer to take a collection of winter photos of Scientific and Natural Areas (SNAs) located primarily in the northeastern region of Minnesota to increase awareness and appreciation for the natural diversity found there.
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 Make 100 Tree Cookies
Help classroom teachers across Minnesota teach children how trees and other woody plants grow, factors that affect tree growth, tree identification, and more.
Create “tree cookies” which are slices of branches or trunks that show the rings of a tree. 100 cookies are enough for about three classes of students, so the more you can make, the better. They will be used!
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REI Adventure Station
Interested in sharing your love for Minnesota’s State Parks and Trails with others?
The Minnesota DNR Division of Parks and Trails is looking for volunteers to staff the new Adventure Station located at the REI Bloomington Flagship store. The Adventure Station was created in an effort to provide awareness of recreational opportunities and to connect people with outdoor experiences on Minnesota’s public lands.
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Bison Ambassadors
It’s thrilling to watch bison up close!
Visitors entering the bison range at Minneopa State Park near Mankato are anxious and excited for an opportunity to see and photograph wildlife. Yet, many visitors may not know where or how to watch bison safely and courteously. Park staff cannot always be present to provide directions and answer basic questions about bison and bison viewing. For this reason Bison Ambassadors help establish a link between visitors and park staff.
Be a Bison Ambassador for 2 hours on weekends or holidays!
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 The Trailhead - State Parks and Trails Outreach
Want to use your knowledge and passion for outdoor recreation to help others find opportunities outdoors?
The Minnesota DNR Division of Parks and Trails is partnering with the Loppet Foundation at The Trailhead, a new and exciting outdoor recreation facility located in Theodore Wirth Regional Park, 1221 Theodore Wirth Parkway, Golden Valley MN, 55422.
The MN DNR Division of Parks and Trails has a kiosk in the new building to provide resources on outdoor recreation opportunities and is looking for volunteers to staff it. Be a part of a new partnership that will continue to encourage getting outside and enjoying Minnesota’s public lands!
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Make Geological History!
The DNR Lands & Minerals office in Hibbing is home to several large collections of documents relating to past mining and geological exploration in our state.
If you enjoy organizing, proofing, transcribing, (and sometimes sleuthing!) and appreciate geology, peatlands, and/or Minnesota history – this volunteer position is for YOU!
Work closely with geologists, engineers, and reclamation specialists to help:
- scan historical documents
- organize collections holdings
- proof PDF documents of previously scanned work
- transcribe geological and geochemical data
If you do not live in the Hibbing area, you may volunteer remotely!
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 Improve Habitat for Wildlife in Wright, Stearns or Sherburne Counties
The State of Minnesota has over 1,000 public wildlife areas designated for wildlife watching opportunities of birds, waterfowl and mammals, as well as offering public hunting of small and big game animals. These Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) need help in maintaining and enhancing the land so wildlife can thrive.
Individuals or groups interested in volunteering to help wildlife can do a one-time event or come back several times.
As part of a typical volunteer workday on a MN Wildlife Management Area (WMA) you could:
- Collect prairie seeds
- Monitor and control terrestrial invasive species (i.e. Buckthorn)
- Help with trail projects and trash pickup
- Assist with boundary and sign maintenance
- Clear vegetation from shallow lake and wetland water controls
- Monitor shallow lakes and wetland water levels
- Collect and/or seed wild rice
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Minnesota Conservation Volunteer Magazine
Support Minnesota Conservation Volunteer by donating today!
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Critical
Habitat License Plates
The critical habitat
plate replaces the standard Minnesota license plate on your vehicle.
Contributions help preserve our natural resources. Choose from nine different
designs!
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Special
State Parks License Plate
Be one of the first to sport the brand-new Minnesota State
Parks and Trails specialty license plate and we’ll all go far! The license
plate provides you with unlimited visits to all 75 Minnesota state parks and
recreation areas for an entire year—no vehicle permit required. Now available at Driver and Vehicle Services
offices statewide.
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Take the Challenge!
You’re invited on a geocaching quest through
Minnesota’s state parks and trails. Use a GPS unit to find hidden caches while
discovering the fascinating plants and animals that live in our waters. The
hunt ends October 31, 2020.
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Double Your Impact for Wildlife
The Minnesota Nongame Wildlife Program works to help thousands of species of Minnesota wildlife like bees, butterflies, songbirds, eagles, loons, frogs, turtles, and bats thrive through habitat restorations, surveys and monitoring, and outreach and education - including the Eagle cam!
The Minnesota Nongame Wildlife Program is funded almost entirely through grants and donations. We do not receive money from hunting and fishing license sales or state taxes (general fund).
Donations are tax deductible and matched dollar for dollar by the Critical Habitat license plate fund. So a $10 donation provides $20 for nongame work.
Double your impact, donate today!
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