CONSERVATION PROGRAM
Conservation youth interns support and improve green spaces around the East Side, and participate in the restoration of local parks through removal of displaced plant species, native seed collection and installation of native plants. We teach hands-on skills through the installation and maintenance of rain and pollinator gardens in public and private spaces. Youth also engage in citizen science projects, such as insect surveys, water sampling, and forest inventories. Parks we help to restore include Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary, Indian Mounds Park, Willowbrook Reserve, and Swede Hollow Park. Interns also helped establish and maintain the Harvest Park Native Seed Garden, located within Harvest Park in Maplewood.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE:
On the ground habitat restoration across 3 parks and 141 acres.
Interns build and maintain rain gardens in public and private spaces.
One notable example is located at Swede Hollow Cafe.
Bike fleet for youth to practice safe transportation practices getting to their work sites.
Partner with others to put on community education events.
Some annual events include: Take Aim at Summer Fun, Phalen Freeze Fest, National Public Lands Day, Dragonfly Bonanza, and the Pollinator Festival.
Lead volunteer and service-learning days with local businesses and schools.
Plant over 4,800 native plants during restoration projects annually. Seeds are also collected from these plants for future use.
Manage 4 honey bee hives at Rivoli Bluffs Farm
and Demonstration Site.
PROGRAM STAFF
