After a brief training, volunteers will help collect much-needed native prairie seed while enjoying this rare example of a sand-gravel prairie in full fall bloom. Volunteers will work with FMR Ecologist Joe Walton and Assistant Stewardship Coordinator Kate Clayton in the natural area most recently added to the Sand Coulee Scientific and Natural Area. Seed will be used for further habitat restoration. Large quantities — of volunteers and seed alike — are needed!
Previous seed collection is not required — all abilities and groups are welcome. However, this activity is very detail-oriented, and generally best suited for teenagers and up. (Learn more about FMR volunteer seed collection events here: http://fmr.org/volman/seedcollection/events.)

About the Coulee
Home to 14 rare plant and animal species, FMR helped this Hastings-area gem earn SNA or Scientific and Natural Area status from the Department of Natural Resources — affording it the highest level of protection in the state.

The site is home to pussytoes, prairie smoke, blue-eyed grass, Carolina puccoon, and toadflax to name just a few native plant species, and is renown for its bird population, including larksparrow, loggerhead shrike, and many other species who depend upon such rare patches of native habitat.

To learn more about the Sand Coulee, please visit our Sand Coulee profile feature (http://fmr.org/volman/specialplaces/sandcoulee) and our Sand Coulee project page (http://fmr.org/projects/sand_coulee_restoration).
Photos from a previous seed collection event at the coulee are available on FMR’s Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/friendsmissriv/sets/72157624973702611.

This event is also part of the Vermillion Stewards program, which involves volunteers in hands-on stewardship and educational programs throughout the unique Vermillion River watershed. 
Ready to register?

To ensure a high-quality experience and adequate supplies, capacity is limited and preregistration required. Youth are welcome with a parent or guardian.

To sign up, contact the FMR Volunteer Registrar at jknittel[at]fmr.org or by selecting “volunteering” in the dropdown menu under “Category”  in our contact form: http://fmr.org/contact. She can also be reached at 651-222-2193 x31. Please include: the name of the event, your name, address and phone number and the number in your party.

You will receive a confirmation email and additional details, such as directions and what to wear, from jknittel[at]fmr.org within one or two business days. Please add her email address to your address book to help assure receipt. If you don’t see a confirmation, however, please do check your SPAM folder.

If you can’t make this event but would like to be notified of future Vermillion Stewards restoration and education events, contact FMR Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator sue rich at srich [at] fmr.org or by selecting “Volunteer” under “Category” in our contact form! Or sign up for our twice-a-month e-newsletter, Mississippi Messages,” by entering your email in the periwinkle box at right.

Thank you program partners Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Outdoor Heritage Fund and the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization!

Advance registration is required. Please see above.