Tend the rare prairie at Sand Coulee SNA

With its tall grass and wildflowers, the Sand Coulee offers a different kind of beauty. With less than 1 percent of Minnesota native prairie remaining, this highly protected preserve is no less than an oasis in a desert of wildlife habitat –— 14 rare plant and animal species call the Coulee home. And with its deep prairie root systems, the Coulee also help filter pollutants from runoff water before it can enter the nearby Vermillion and Mississippi Rivers. 

On this summer evening, volunteers will work with with FMR Restoration Ecologist Karen Schik to identify and help halt the spread of cow vetch and spotted knapweed, encroaching plants deemed by the Department of Natural Resources as a threat to the health of this important area. Together, volunteers and staff will remove a patch of the weedy invasive, helping to protect the prairie's threatened native plant species and improving wildlife habitat in just a couple hours.

This event is part of the Vermillion Stewards program, which engages citizens in the care of the Vermillion River and its watershed and the special places within it. 

As always, training, gloves, tools and guidance will be provided.

Ready to register?

To ensure a high-quality experience and adequate supplies, capacity is limited and advance registration required. To sign up, contact FMR Volunteer Coordinator Amy Kilgore via our contact form (please change Category from "general inquiries" to "volunteering") or at akilgore@fmr.org, 651-222-2193 x31.

Please include: the name of the event, your name, address and phone number and the number in your party. You will receive a confirmation email and additional details, such as directions and what to wear, from akilgore[at]fmr.org within, at most, two business days. If you don't see a confirmation from us, please check your spam folder.

Under 18 and planning to participate on your own? Please have your parent or guardian complete this quick online form.