South Branch Vermillion AMA garlic mustard pull

Join us for an evening of removing invasive plants in the restored oak savanna bordering the south branch of the Vermillion River, a cold prairie stream in the heart of Dakota County and a major tributary of the Mississippi.

Volunteers will be working in a DNR Aquatic Management Area (AMA). AMAs are a special form of land protection meant to preserve shoreline property and in-stream habitat. With creek, lake and river shores being developed throughout the state, the AMA program helps Minnesota preserve public access as well as critical fish and wildlife habitat. The Vermillion River and this AMA are recognized for trophy brown trout, something unimaginable in the 1960's when water quality here was so poor the stream was considered unfit for any game fish. 

After a brief introduction and training, volunteers will help pull garlic mustard from riverside forest areas. Over the years, removing invasive plants like buckthorn and garlic mustard has cleared the way for native plant communities to return and thrive. Volunteers will help in this effort by continuing to remove garlic mustard while seeding the already cleared areas. Volunteers may also be asked to assist with other restoration tasks as needed.

All are welcome, however, capacity is limited and registration required. All supplies and training will be provided and volunteers will work closely with FMR staff. This event is part of the Vermillion Stewards program, engaging Vermillion River Watershed residents to learn about the local watershed while working to protect and enhance its unique natural resources.

Ready to register?

Please use the form below to register for this event. If you have questions or concerns, you can contact the Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator at volunteer@fmr.org or (651) 222-2193 x27.

We understand that volunteers are used to registering over email - please bear with us as we navigate staff transitions and help us out by using this form! Rest assured that our program staff are seeing your registrations, and we will be in touch as it gets closer to the event date.

If you're under 18 and interested in volunteering without the company of your parent or guardian, please take a moment and have them fill out this brief minor permission form.

Can't make it?

To receive notices of future volunteer events, contact FMR's Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator 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.