Volunteer Events

MNRR Park Rangers welcome volunteers for the 2024 Missouri River Cleanup

NPS / Lynn Scroggins

Missouri River Cleanup

Join us on the first Saturday in May at Riverside Park in Yankton, SD for the Missouri River Cleanup. During this annual event, volunteers help to pick up litter on islands and shorelines along the Missouri River. Since 2005, volunteers at the Missouri River Cleanup have collected more than 100 tons of trash!

Not only does this help keep the Missouri River clean and beautiful before summer kicks in, but it also keeps the river safe and healthy for people, fish, and wildlife. This event is perfect for individuals, families, and groups!

 

Volunteers celebrate National Trails Day by picking up litter at Mulberry Bend Overlook.

NPS / Tom Pemrick

Litter Cleanups

Throughout the year, volunteers can join us for single-day litter cleanups all along the Missouri National Recreational River. From the smallest pieces of plastic to large tires, the trash that these volunteers collect can be harmful to the river ecosystem. That's why we are so grateful to the volunteers who come out to keep the river clean.

These events can be great for individuals, families, and groups. By sharing a little time, you can make a big difference.

 

A volunteer removes invasive Siberian elm saplings at Bow Creek Recreation Area.

NPS / Caroline Ver Mulm

Invasive Plant Removal

Managing invasive plant species is a major priority for the Missouri National Recreational River. Species like Russian olive, canada thistle, musk thistle, leafy spurge, Siberian elm, and white/yellow sweet clover are all invasive plants that encroach on the space needed by native grasses, flowers, trees, and more.

At Invasive Plant Removal Events, volunteers help us remove these non-native plants using pruning shears, loppers, and hand pulling. It can be tough work, but with a big group of volunteers, we can accomplish a lot. For volunteers, these events can be great opportunities to spend time outside, explore new places along the river, learn about native and invasive plants, and more!

 

Before and After an Invasive Plant Removal Event

An amazing group of volunteers helped remove invasive Siberian elm saplings from this grassland at Bow Creek Recreation Area. In the "Before" image, you can see lots of small green vegetation. That's the Siberian elm, which can quickly overtake grasslands and prairies if the saplings are not managed. In the "After" image, the majority of the saplings have been cut down by volunteers. All this work helps the native grasses thrive!

 

Ready to Volunteer?

Reach out and email MNRR's Volunteer Program Manager or call [phone]x28. Or, apply to current volunteer opportunities on volunteer.gov.