Plant native shrubs, wildflowers and grasses in the river gorge [FULL]

Join FMR staff and volunteers working along the beautiful Mississippi River on the Minneapolis side of the river gorge. This event will take place off of West River Parkway at 44th St, an area where we've removed invasive shrubs and are restoring native habitat for wildlife and water quality.

We'll spend the morning planting native shrubs, wildflowers, grasses and sedges. These plants will help stabilize the slope, add biodiversity to the area, and provide habitat for wildlife.

All are welcome and no experience is needed. All tools, gloves and training will be provided. However, be prepared to work on steep slopes and uneven terrain. Volunteers may also be asked to help with other restoration tasks as needed throughout the worksite.

The event is part of the Gorge Stewards program, which actively engages residents of the Twin Cities in the stewardship of the national treasure that is the Mississippi River Gorge.

Accessibility

We will be working off-trail on a steep slope and uneven terrain. This is a higher intensity activity, due to our heavier tools and rough terrain.

Ready to register?

While this event is full, you can still sign up for the waitlist. Please contact FMR Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator Sophie Downey at volunteer@fmr.org, 651.222.2193 x27, or by selecting Sophie by name under "Category" via the FMR contact form. Please include the name of the event, your name, address and phone number and the number in your party. We will contact you if a spot opens up.

Can't make it?

To receive notices of future Gorge Stewards events, contact FMR Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator Sophie Downey at volunteer@fmr.org. Or, visit our Events Calendar for our most up-to-date listing of upcoming events. To receive a twice-a-month e-newsletter including all FMR activities and news, sign up for Mississippi Messages.

What about COVID-19?

While we currently are not requiring masks at outdoor events, we are encouraging social distancing while we work. We're watching the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health guidelines closely. If plans change based on their recommendations, FMR Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator Sophie Downey will email registrants with event updates. (Be sure to add volunteer@fmr.org to your contacts so updates don't land in spam.) And we'll update this page if anything changes.

We will offer gloves and hand sanitizer at the event.