If you’re looking to get outside and enjoy the Mississippi River while actively caring for it, FMR’s Saturday morning spring restoration event lineup is sure to have something for you and yours.

Families, individuals and groups come from throughout the metro area for the annual Earth Day Cleanup — the first of many springtime restoration activities!

Photo: Peter Kastler

It all starts this weekend at our traditional inaugural event, the Earth Day Cleanup. Saturday, April 17th, 9:30 a.m.-noon. Volunteers help beautify the riverfront, oak savanna and maple basswood forest in the Minneapolis River Gorge, and also enjoy educational presentations and free pizza! Join us!

Saturday, April 24th, dedicated volunteers will spend their morning learning and helping to protect spring ephemerals at the Pledge to Pull training and kickoff in St. Paul’s Crosby Park. Pledge to Pull requires an additional six-hour commitment to be completed on volunteers’ own time, and was developed for families who’d like to schedule their own outings, Master Naturalists and others in need of service hours, and people who simply prefer to work on their own schedule after a brief training and orientation. Learn more.

The invasive species removals Saturdays, May 1st and May 15th are a great way to help improve wildlife habitat and water quality with a minimal time commitment. At the end of each morning, participants should be able to see a real difference in the beautiful Minneapolis River Flats and Riverside Park — the newest Mississippi River Gorge Stewards site!

If you’re interested in helping in a more out-of-the-way spot, consider joining staff from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to plant native trees and stabilize streambank in the Vermillion River Saturday, May 8th, 9 a.m.-noon. This stretch of the river near Farmington has been designated an Aquatic Management Area, but volunteering is one of the only ways to access this otherwise privately accessed reach.

If you need help deciding which events are best for you or have any other questions, please contact FMR Volunteer Coordinator sue rich, in Tuesday-Thursday at 651-222-2193 x14, .

- sue rich, Volunteer Coordinator