Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

December 12, 2023

Help make a difference

Adopt-a-WMA Program

 The Adopt-A-WMA Program was established to encourage sporting, outdoor, business, and civic groups or individuals to assist, on a volunteer basis, in improving and maintaining Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). This program involves "adopting" a specific site, parking lot, or project on a WMA area to help maintain these public lands in cooperation with wildlife managers.

When could I do this?

• Minimum 2-year time commitment
• Flexible hours -Monday through Friday with weekends possible

Volunteers must be able to work safely outdoors in various weather conditions without direct supervision except for initial guidance and orientation as needed. Projects available for individuals, groups, organizations or companies.

North Shore Candlelight Event -Gooseberry Falls State Park, Feb. 17, 2024

Create an amazing memory this winter! Plan to join us at this popular event located along the north shore of Lake Superior.

Sign up to volunteer for a minimum of 2 hours at Gooseberry Falls State Park’s annual Candlelight Event on Saturday, February 17, 2024,  at 3206 Highway 61 East, Two Harbors, Minnesota. 

What will be happening

• Candle luminaries guide visitors on several miles of ski, snowshoe and hiking trails.
• Special luminary displays are created along the trails and we need inspired volunteers like you to set them up.
• A bonfire and hot beverages await visitors after their explorations.

Volunteer fun

• Join us at the Volunteer Potluck after setting up around 5-6 pm. You are welcome to bring something to share.
• Make sure to save time to enjoy the event with your family or friends.
• Join in the fun and sign up for one of these exciting volunteer opportunities.

MN PlantWatch

Survey rare plants with the MN PlantWatch Program and contribute to plant conservation science. Together we hope to update old records and find new plant populations! Opportunities are available throughout the entire state of Minnesota.

We are looking for volunteers who are:

• Enthusiastic about plants
• Comfortable identifying plants in nature, or willing to learn
• Comfortable working outdoors alongside MN PlantWatch staff and other volunteers
• Interested and able to visit some of the tricky places that rare plants inhabit such as bluff prairies, bogs, fens and forests 
• Familiar with field survey work and understand the importance of high-quality data collection

Learn more about this program and how to sign up now to get started in spring!

Bird by Bird Program

Help foster meaningful experiences for youth and communities to connect to nature and nourish a love of birds and wildlife by becoming a volunteer in the Bird by Bird Program.

What can I do as a Bird by Bird volunteer?

• Volunteer in elementary schools to assist with activities and field trips
• Mentor high school students during their field experiences
• Engage families and communities in bird watching, bird walks, and bird education related activities co-led by high school students as BOLD youth leaders in the Birding & Outdoor Leadership Development initiative OR
• Work behind the scenes on volunteer projects that support the program such as
• Deliver bird seed and program supplies to schools
• Help develop curriculum
• Install and maintain bird feeding stations OR
• Support field trips

Choose what kind of volunteer opportunity you want to be involved with at school locations within the St. Paul and Minneapolis Public School districts.

Get Physical on a Scientific and Natural Area

Scientific and Natural Areas (SNAs) are premier state lands displaying examples of native prairies, old growth forests, geological features and habitat for rare and endangered species.

As part of a typical volunteer workday on an SNA you will:

• cut and burn brush such as sumac
• collect prairie and woodland seeds
• plant seedlings
• pull buckthorn or other invasive species of plants

Projects are typically carried out on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted, on many weekends throughout the year. 

Campground Host Program   Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live or work in a state park? Well, why not find out? If you enjoy the great outdoors, scenic vistas and the company of other campers, then consider being a host anytime from April to October. Length of time, workdays and hours are established with the campground manager, but will generally include all weekends and holidays.  Avid campers or RV’ers are encouraged to apply!

Lake Level Volunteering... Doing Your Level Best!   Whether it is floods, droughts, or just a normal year, lake level fluctuations (or the lack of them) are important to document. Lake Level Minnesota is a program in which volunteers and cooperative organizations collect and report lake levels throughout the state. Be a volunteer observer and record lake levels on a regular basis. Learn more about how to sign up now to get started in spring.

Volunteer Safety Instructors   Become a DNR Certified Volunteer Safety Instructor in any of the following areas: Snowmobile safety Firearms safety Bowhunter education ATV safety Wildlife species Pass on a love for your sport by teaching youth and adults the ethics and safety you would expect from those you meet in the field.

Volunteering with the Minnesota DNR

To see other volunteer activities available around the state, please refer to the DNR volunteer opportunities webpage.

Text MNGOV VOLUNTEER to 66468 to subscribe to mobile updates.

Outdoor Skills Series

Learn about or sharpen your outdoor skills with these upcoming online webinars in our Minnesota outdoor skills and stewardship series.

Each webinar begins at noon on Wednesdays and last less than an hour. These offerings are shorter than in-person opportunities, require no travel and fit into busy schedules.

Visit the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series (MOSSS) to see the upcoming seminars and sign up.