Armed with trusty weed wrenches, these restoration volunteers were ready to show buckthorn who’s boss.

Photo: Carolyn Carr

FMR recently surveyed our Gorge Stewards volunteers to learn about their 2009 experiences removing invasive species, planting native species, collecting seed and assisting with other important habitat restoration tasks. Here is what they had to say...

On the rewards of volunteering:

• “I loved learning more about my immediate natural environment, learning how to be a steward for the area, and knowing that my small efforts — when multiplied by all of the volunteers’ small efforts — add up to something meaningful.”
• “Having a direct impact on the community in which I live and on the river [is rewarding], it’s such a big part of what I love about the Twin Cities.”

On the experience of volunteering with FMR:

• "If anything, [FMR] treats volunteers too well, if that's possible. You make the other org I volunteer with look bad."
• "Thank you for organizing and providing these opportunities to take action with visible impact!"
• "For my first vol experience with FMR, it was fun and a great way to bring friends together, or meet new friends because we have the same interests."

FMR staff are hard at work planning a new season of opportunities to volunteer for the river. If you’d like to get involved this year, keep an eye on our events calendar. You can also e-mail volunteer coordinator at to be added to our Gorge Stewards and/or Vermillion Stewards email lists.