NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY

Sat, Sept 26 | 8:45-11 am | Hidden Falls Regional Park - North Entrance (1313 Hidden Falls Dr.)

Celebrate National Public Lands Day with Saint Paul Natural Resources by helping us haul brush in the floodplain forest, along the Mississippi River, in beautiful Hidden Falls Regional Park.

REGISTER HERE

This project is recommended for volunteers in fifth grade and up. Individuals, groups and families are welcome. No experience necessary.

National Public Lands Day Celebration

Immediately following the volunteer event, Saint Paul Natural Resources and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are hosting a festival to celebrate National Public Lands Day and the close of our summer initiative Explore Outdoors Saint Paul. Cook food over a fire, go fishing, try geocaching, scale the climbing wall and more. The festival takes place from 11 am-2 pm. All ages. No need to register for the festival.

INTRODUCING EMILY DUNLAP

Please help us welcome Emily Dunlap, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation’s new natural resources technician. Emily started with Saint Paul Natural Resources this week! Emily holds a Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and biology, and comes to us with five years of professional experience with Three Rivers Park District, Conservation Corps Minnesota, Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. We are excited to have Emily join our team!

SAINT PAUL PARKS AND RECREATION IMMEDIATE JOB OPENINGS

Saint Paul Parks and Recreation has some immediate openings for temporary positions.

1. Garden and Median Maintenance Crew - weeding, trimming, mulching, planting in medians along the Green Line and other parts of Saint Paul. More information and how to apply.

• $12/hr.
• 40 hrs./wk., M-F, through Oct 30
• Must be 18 and have a valid driver's license

2. Park Worker I - Operations/Como Campus - routine manual labor in a park, playground, recreation center or other public grounds or buildings. See full job description. Contact Karin to apply.

• $10.39-$12.33/hr.
• 40 hrs./wk., potentially through November
• Must be 16 and have a valid driver's license

NATIVE WETLAND & GREEN INFRASTUCTURE PLANTING

Thurs, Sept 17 | 6-8 pm | Crosby Farm Regional Park

Sign up with Amy at partner group Friends of the Mississippi River, akilgore@fmr.org.

Join Saint Paul Parks & Recreation and Friends of the Mississippi River as we install a variety of native plants at lovely Crosby Farm Regional Park.

Near the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, volunteers will work in a raingarden, a runoff-reducing berm and a demonstration prairie. We'll plant what's needed in each — wetland and drought-hardy plants, mostly small plugs, but some saplings as well — to strengthen and expand the restoration area. Altogether, the native plants, prairie, raingarden and berm serve as "green infrastructure," helping to prevent erosion, improve soils and filter pollution from runoff stormwater before it can reach the river. Of course, the native plants also provide much-needed urban habitat for native bees, birds and other wildlife.

As always, staff will provide all the guidance, tools, and gloves needed for a productive and fun event. Children accompanied by a parent or guardian are welcome.

Learn more and sign up via the event listing,  or sign up now with FMR's Amy Kilgore, akilgore@fmr.org.

BUCKTHORN BLAST & CELEBRATION!

Thurs, Sept 17 | Noon-4 pm | Victoria Park

Join Great River Greening in this kick-off event for a multi-year project at Victoria Park in Saint Paul!  Volunteers are needed to transform this overgrown river bluff site by stacking and hauling buckthorn, a non-native invasive shrub which threatens new tree growth and crowds out native shrubs, flowers, and grasses.

REGISTER HERE

Volunteers are welcome to stay after the event to join Great River Greening in celebrating our 20th Anniversary of restoring land, water and wonder throughout (and beyond) the Twin Cities! The celebration will begin at 6 pm and feature Summit beer and root beer, a food truck, games, and more. Tickets will soon be available at greatrivergreening.org/beers-for-buckthorn/.

Public Restoration Event Partners & Funders: City of Saint Paul, Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Fund, 3M, Summit Brewing Co.

WOODLAND RESTORATION

Sat, Sept 19 | 8:30 am - 12:30 pm | Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary

We have been planting at Trout Brook for over a year, and the restoration of this site is well underway! Help Great River Greening continue with the transformation of this neglected former railroad site into a 42-acre nature sanctuary by removing invasive plants and woodland debris from the forested areas of the site! Once completed, Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary will provide prairie, savanna, maple-basswood forest, wetlands, recreational trails, and stormwater management—all right in the heart of the city!

REGISTER HERE

Partners & Funders: City of Saint Paul, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Fund, Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, McNeely Foundation, Capitol Region Watershed District.