Upcoming Volunteer and Education Events
Please see our new Volunteer and Education Events Calendar or read below.
You and your family, friends, and colleagues are encouraged to join Saint Paul Parks’ Natural Resources team at one (or all!) of our upcoming events. Training and education, tools, gloves, and plenty of ice water will be provided. Make sure to check out our new environmental education offering, Hike It! Lilydale.
Hike It! Lilydale
Wednesday, August 18, 6:00-7:00 pm (more dates and registration)
Lilydale Regional Park
We are excited to announce the pilot year of Hike It!, a new interpretive hike program at Lilydale Regional Park. We would like to invite you to help us kick the program off by offering you – our volunteers - the first opportunity to participate in these hikes. Volunteer interpreters will bring the park’s fascinating past to life on a one-hour hike from the river bottom up to Bruce Vento Overlook. Registration is required.
Habitat Restoration at Como Park
Tuesday, August 17, 6:00-8:00 pm
Como Regional Park, Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom
Help restore the only remaining woodland in Como Regional Park, and become a part of pilot year of the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom (CWOC). 50-100 volunteers are needed to remove invasive plants, which is the first step towards restoring the woodland back to a healthy ecosystem. Registration is required. More info on CWOC: http://www.comowoodland.org/
Gardening Event at Indian Mounds Regional Park
Thursday, September 2, 6:00-8:00 pm
Indian Mounds Regional Park, Echo Overlook
Help beautify Echo Overlook, a highlight of Indian Mounds Regional Park along the Mississippi River. 15 volunteers are needed to transplant rose bushes, mulch, and beautify the overlook. Registration is required.
Buckthorn Haul and Trail Restoration at Hidden Falls Regional Park
Thursday, September 16, 6:00-8:00 pm
Hidden Falls Regional Park
Help with the ecological and site restoration of this hidden treasure along the Mississippi River. 50-75 volunteers are needed to remove invasive buckthorn, assist with trail and streambed restoration, and continue the renewal of this charming site. Registration is required.
National Public Lands Day
Saturday, September 25, 10:00 a.m. -12:00 noon
Crosby Farm Regional Park, St Paul
In celebration of National Public Lands Day, St Paul Parks and Recreation is partnering with the National Park Service and REI to hold a large habitat restoration event at Crosby Farm Regional Park along the Mississippi River. 150-200 volunteers are needed to remove the invasive buckthorn from the woods, which is a critical step in restoring the native ecosystem along the river. Registration is required.
Registration: To register yourself or your group, please contact volunteer coordinator Beth Albrecht at or 651-632-2411. Please include the name of the event, your name, number in your party, email and phone number.
Thank You Volunteers for a Successful Spring Parks Cleanup!
Results from SPCU event on Saturday, April 10:
•946 volunteers
•1,908 volunteer hours
•36 parks
•~ 3.1 tons of trash
Thanks to our volunteers, partners and sponsors for helping make this event a success!
Partner organizations: Hands On Twin Cities, National Park Service, Conservation Corps Minnesota, City of St. Paul VISTAS, Eureka Recycling, Minnesota Environmental Fund, District 10 Como Community Council
Sponsor organizations: Toyota, Xcel Energy , Patagonia, Peace Coffee, Blue Sky Guides, SuperMom’s Bakery, Pioneer Press, Kowalski’s Markets