Project Based Volunteering
Overview
In an effort to increase volunteerism, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is introducing project based volunteer opportunities that aim to maintain and enhance our many natural areas. Below you will find opportunities that are currently available.
Additional projects will be added throughout the spring and summer.
Questions? Contact Shannon O'Brien at 651-632-2458
Wildlife Surveys at Highwood Preserve
Project Description
Comprehensive wildlife surveys have not yet been conducted at Highwood Nature Preserve. Surveys provide a vital record of the wildlife on our land and can result in many interesting discoveries. Reports are also used to help guide property management, with emphasis placed on what we should be doing to maintain and enhance the wildlife living on our land.
The volunteer will be given a site tour and project orientation by a staff member of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation. Skills in wildlife surveying are strongly desired. The volunteer will prepare a detailed record of wildlife signs and sightings within Highwood Preserve boundaries. Volunteers will survey for mammals, reptiles and amphibians, or birds.
Project Location
Highwood Park Nature Preserve
Project Duration
Mammal survey—July through August, 2-3 days per month
Amphibian survey—April through October, 3-4 hours, 2-3 days per month
Bird survey—May through July, 3-4 hours, 2-3 days per month
Option to continue survey in subsequent years if desired!
Desired Number of Volunteers
3 to 6 (1 or 2 each for a mammal survey, amphibian survey, and bird survey)
Training Requirement
Volunteer will be required to complete one field session/site orientation with city staff. You will receive training on GPS use, data gathering techniques, and site history. Previous experience with wildlife surveying and wildlife identification is strongly desired.
Tools and Supplies Needed
GPS and digital camera (can be provided if needed)
To submit a volunteer inquiry click here.
Prairie Restoration at Lilydale Regional Park
Project Description
Lilydale Regional Park is a 384 acre park which includes the 100 acre Pickerel Lake and an additional 100 acres of wetland/marsh. Along the shore of Pickerel Lake, an invasive species called purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is becoming a problem.
Purple loosestrife, a showy perennial plant of Eurasia, is invading wetland and lakeshore habitats across North America. It can form dense stands that crowd out native aquatic plants. Without native vegetation, the wetlands cannot provide as much food, shelter, or nesting sites for wildlife.
Volunteers will work together to clip the flower stalks off of mature plants to prevent them from seeding out into the prairie.
Project Location
Brickyard Prairie
Lilydale Regional Park
Project Duration
August 1st-September 30th
2-3 hours, one day per week
Day of week to be determined by volunteers
Option to continue work in subsequent years if desired!
Desired Number of Volunteers
3 to 5
Training Requirement
An introductory site tour will be provided by Saint Paul staff. Instructions on technique and plant identification will be covered during the tour as well as information about the park itself.
Tools and Supplies Needed
Hand pruners and trash bags will be provided.
To submit a volunteer inquiry click here.
Prairie Restoration at Linwood Recreation Center
Project Desciption
Linwood Recreation Center boasts a beautiful, 1 acre prairie that spans across the hillside. Help protect this wonderful natural area from the invasive plant, garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata). Garlic mustard is creeping into the prairie from the surrounding woodland. Due to its ability to aggressively spread, outcompete important native understory species, and create large monocultures, many ecologically important plant communities are being displaced. Volunteers will spend approximately 2 hours per week pulling garlic mustard by hand.
Project Location
Linwood Recreation Center
Project Duration
April 15th-June 30st
1-2 hours per week
Option to continue survey in subsequent years if desired!
Desired Number of Volunteers
1-3
Training Requirement
An introductory site tour will be provided by Saint Paul staff. Instructions on technique and plant identification will be covered during the tour as well as information about the park itself.
Tools and Supplies Needed
Work gloves and trash bags will be provided.
To submit a volunteer inquiry click here.
Kittentails Survey at Indian Mounds Park - Project Filled
Project Description
Kittentails (Besseya bulii) is a rare plant that was first collected in Mounds Park in 1903 by C.O. Rosendahl. One small population was recorded in Mounds Park in 1992 during a survey by the Minnesota DNR. A survey completed in 2006 did not find any kittentails populations. However, a large amount of restoration work has been completed in the area and the habitat is now more conducive to supporting kittentails populations once again.
Volunteers will complete a survey for kittentails at Mounds Park with Saint Paul Parks and Recreation and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources staff. We will first view a known kittentail population in another park. Then, the volunteer and city staff will do an initial survey at Mounds Park. The volunteer will be responsible for doing a more thorough survey over the following few weeks, and if they identify any kittentails populations they will use GPS technology to record the location and report back to city staff.
Project Location
Indian Mounds Park
Project Duration
April 22nd- May 31st
2 hours per week
Option to continue survey in subsequent years if desired!
Desired Number of Volunteers
1
Training Requirement
Volunteer will be required to complete one field session/site orientation with city staff. You will receive training on plant identification, site history, and GPS use.
Tools and Supplies Needed
GPS and digital camera (can be provided if needed)
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