2011 marks the third summer that Rachel has volunteered as a habitat restoration crew leader for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Because of her passion and experience, she has taken the lead on a prairie restoration project at Coon Rapids Dam on the east side of the Mississippi River. This spring, she led a weekly restoration event focused on removing invasive Garlic Mustard from the floodplain forest along the bicycle trail. The Garlic Mustard outcompetes spring ephemerals (herbaceous flowers that bloom briefly in the early spring), and Rachel was interested in boosting the ephemerals' survival rates. Now that summer is here, she has moved on to the prairie. Every Thursday, Rachel leads a public habitat restoration event in the prairie between Cenaiko Lake and the river. Her main focus is suppressing and eradicating invasive species that threaten the biodiversity of the prairie. As a volunteer in her local national park, Rachel is a vital team member in the effort to maintain and restore this precious habitat. Rachel's project is a win-win situation. While the park clearly benefits from her dedication, Rachel has gained skills, knowledge, friendships, and more from her involvement. She says,
Volunteers are an important part of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. People like Rachel contribute endless energy and countless hours to complete necessary tasks that otherwise might get overlooked. As the summer progresses, the forests and prairies of Coon Rapids Dam will continue to transform, thanks to Rachel's help. To volunteer with one of our programs, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (651) 293-8424 or by e-mail. |
Last updated: November 22, 2019
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