Gavin Bodin, 7, one of FMR's younger volunteers, took a sizable bite out of a spread of garlic mustard at a recent FMR habitat restoration event at Crosby Park in St. Paul. Making volunteering a family affair, mom Monique Auge-Bodin helps Gavin's younger brother Tristan (right) remove younger versions of this invasive species threatening Crosby's woodlands.

Despite spotty weather, FMR's stewardship season is going strong. Volunteers in the River Gorge Stewards and Vermillion River Stewards programs have installed hundreds of native plants and shrubs, removed tons (literally) of invasive species and have done it all with high spirits. Upcoming restoration and educational events are listed on the FMR events calendar and the Mississippi Messages e-newsletter.