Volunteering opportunities

Click the following to find a volunteering opportunity in your area:

Metro area and Central MN

Northwestern MN

Northeastern MN

Southern MN

METRO AREA AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA - Spring 2013

NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA -  Spring 2013

NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA - Spring 2013

SOUTHERN MINNESOTA -  Spring 2013

 

bittersweetOriental Bittersweet Survey Events

(Metro area and Southern MN)

Oriental Bittersweet is an invasive woody vine that is overtaking forested areas in Winona, Red Wing and Stillwater. If left unchecked, this vine will spread and wreak havoc by killing trees and smothering vegetation.

Minnesota Forest Pest First Detectors and other trained professionals and volunteers know the importance of finding and controlling Oriental bittersweet vines before these infestations spread. Join the fight in detecting and delimiting infestations by taking part in an upcoming survey event! This survey will help us to detect and later contain and control existing Oriental bittersweet infestations in a coordinated multi-agency effort of the U of M Extension, Minnesota DNR and Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Surveys will track the presence or absence of Oriental bittersweet and volunteers will only be on public land when surveying. Participants will receive a safety vest, maps with travel routes, a GPS unit and paper forms for data collection. You will work in teams of two and travel by either vehicle or foot depending on the area surveyed and preference indicated at registration. Lunch will be provided. Join us for one of these fun outdoor events!  Online Registration  is required.

Note: The survey event workshop is considered continuing education for Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners and Woodland Advisors.

Survey dates and locations:
Thursday, March 14 - Red Wing
Thursday, March 21 - Stillwater
Thursday, March 28 – Winona

Please complete  Online Registration  for one or more of the survey events.  Please register early to allow time for map making and other preparations.

Survey Schedule

Time

Activity

9:00 – 10:30 AM

Check-in and training in field

10:30 AM – noon

Survey

Noon – 1:30 PM

Meet for lunch and feedback on survey methodology

1:30 – 3:30 PM

Survey

3:30 – 4:00 PM

Check out and return equipment and data forms

Click here for more information. If you have questions, please contact Arrest-the-Pest at Arrest.The.Pest@state.mn.us or 888-545-6684.

 

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cutting buckthornState Natural Areas Assistance

(Metro and Central MN, NW, NE, and Southern MN)
Photo credit Jill Sinclair

State scientific and natural areas (SNA) are the premier state lands displaying examples of native prairies, old growth forests, geological features and habitat for rare and endangered species.  The state natural areas program needs volunteers to work on projects at natural areas throughout the state. Projects are typically carried out on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM unless otherwise noted, many weekends throughout the year. Activities include prairie and woodland seed collection, planting seedlings, removal of exotic species, pulling buckthorn, and cutting and burning brush such as sumac. These activities are posted under the SNA Program at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteering/sna/index.html  

Volunteer Project: Clear Brush

Date:

Saturday, March 23th

Time:

10 AM to 2 PM

Location:

Lost Valley Prairie SNA

Description:

Come lop, saw, and cut away the day. The task for this project is brush removal along burn breaks in preparation for prescribed burns at the site. See the site's web page for a map and description. This event will be led by the Lost Valley Prairie Site Steward, Jim Smetana.

Directions:

Located from the Twin Cities, S on US Hwy 61 to MN Hwy 95, then N on MN 95 to Co Rd 78, then E on Co Rd 78 to Nyberg Avenue, then .5 mi N on Nyberg. Park at the end of the road.

More Information:

Contact Kelly Randall, SNA Outreach Coordinator at 651-259-5070 or by email at sna.dnr@state.mn.us.

Volunteer Project: Invasive Removal

Date:

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Time:

10 AM to 2 PM

Location:

Lost Valley Prairie SNA

Description:

Try your hand at a little lopping. The day's task will be removing invasive sumac. See the site's web page for a map and description. This event will be led by the Lost Valley Prairie Site Steward, Jim Smetana.

Directions:

Located from the Twin Cities, S on US Hwy 61 to MN Hwy 95, then N on MN 95 to Co Rd 78, then E on Co Rd 78 to Nyberg Avenue, then .5 mi N on Nyberg. Park at the end of the road.

More Information:

Contact Kelly Randall, SNA Outreach Coordinator at 651-259-5070 or by email at sna.dnr@state.mn.us.

 

 

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treefrogMinnesota Frog and Toad Calling Survey

(NE, NW, Central MN, Southern MN)

Volunteer to participate in the Minnesota Frog and Toad Calling Survey (MFTCS), Minnesota’s portion of the nation-wide program (North American Amphibian Monitoring Program) to monitor the number and distribution of frog and toad populations throughout the U.S.  Participants will be assigned to pre-selected routes and will be asked to conduct nighttime “listening surveys” on three evenings per year between April and July. 

Help is needed statewide, but especially in southwestern and northern Minnesota.   Available route locations and other information can be found on our website at
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteering/frogtoad_survey/index.html.  Training materials including a CD of Minnesota’s frog and toad calls, maps, and data forms will be provided. 

Volunteers need a vehicle and valid driver’s license, good hearing, an interest in frog and toad conservation, a willingness to learn frog calls, a commitment to completing assigned route(s), and a desire to participate in the program for multiple years.   This project takes a total of about 15 hours per year.   

For more information, contact Heidi Cyr at 651-259-5107 or heidi.cyr@state.mn.us for details.  If possible, please specify the area of the state or the particular survey route of interest.

 

 

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hosts by busOver 50 Opportunities to be a Campground Host This Summer at a MN State Park!

(Metro and Central MN, NW, NE, and Southern MN)

If you enjoy the great outdoors, scenic vistas, and the company of other campers, then consider volunteering to be a "live in" host for at least 4 weeks (one month) during the period of May to October at a Minnesota State Park campground. A host’s primary responsibility is to assist campers by answering questions and explaining campground rules in a cheerful and helpful manner. Campground Host volunteers should be familiar with state park campground rules, perform light maintenance work around the campground such as litter pickup, sweeping, stocking supplies in toilet buildings and making emergency minor repairs when possible. Hosts may be requested to assist in the naturalist program by posting and distributing schedules, publicizing programs or helping with programs. Volunteers will set an example by being model campers, practicing good housekeeping at all times in and around the host site, and by observing all rules.

Campground Host volunteers generally work independently. Volunteers are accountable to the park manager who will provide training and orientation for hosts and assist hosts throughout the season with any question or problems that may arise. Length of period, workdays and hours are established with the campground manager, but will generally include all weekends and holidays. Avid campers or RV’ers are encouraged to apply!

Read more about the Campground Host Program and find out specifically which State Parks need hosts . Email your questions to campground.host@state.mn.us or call 888- MINNDNR (888-646-6367) or in the Metro area call 651-259-5607.

To apply for any of these volunteer positions, fill out the Campground Host application and email it to campground.host@state.mn.us. Campground Hosts will be selected from applications that have been satisfactorily completed and submitted in a timely manner. Interviews will be conducted by the campground manager. The number of consecutive years that a host may serve may be limited to allow others an opportunity. These limitations are at the discretion of the campground manager. All DNR volunteers must undergo a background check. This is done at the time of selection. This also applies to hosts returning from the previous season

 

 

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prairie flowersVolunteer Rendezvous - Wild River State Park Visitor Center

Sunday, May 19, 12 noon – 3 pm  (Metro Area and Central MN)

Initiated in 1993 by Naturalist Dave Crawford, the Prairie Care Program at Wild River State Park has become an icon for prairie restoration programs throughout the state. Having restored 450 acres of prairie and revitalized countless native plant species from abandoned farm land, there's much to be learned about the importance of prairie habitat, the process of restoring them, and the creative ways to become involved as a volunteer. Volunteering in Minnesota State Parks is a rewarding way to leave a legacy for future generations while enjoying the outdoors on your time and at your pace!  

This Volunteer Rendezvous is intended for past, present, and future volunteers of Wild River State Park or other prairie restoration sites.  The day will consist of an update on the Prairie Care program, volunteering safety and logistics, the auctioning of Species Steward responsibilities, and a guided walk with Prairie Care founder, Dave Crawford.  Registration is required by calling 651-583-2125 x227 or emailing Kacie.carlson@state.mn.us.

Directions: Wild River State Park is located approximately 17 miles northwest of Taylors Falls on the St Croix River.  From I-35 take State Hwy 95 east to County Rd 12. Drive 3 miles north on County Rd 12 to the entrance of Wild River State Park.

 

 

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troutlilySearch for the Rare MN Dwarf Trout Lily

(Metro and Central MN, Southern MN)

Interested in wildflowers?  If so, use this interest to assist the DNR to search for, and collect data on the Minnesota Dwarf Trout Lily, a Federally Endangered spring wild flower, endemic to a few forest rivers in southeastern Minnesota.  This is part of an annual monitoring effort at selected sites in Goodhue, Rice, and Steele Counties approximately 1 – 2 hours south of the Twin Cities.  Volunteers work as part of a crew of 3 – 7 people supervised by DNR staff or experienced volunteers to search previously demarked areas, flag, and count plants.  No independent volunteer opportunities are available for rare plant monitoring.

People of any background with an interest in wildflowers are welcome.  Volunteers will need to be able to spot a flower bud the size of a grain of rice five feet in front of them, while working with an organized team to systematically survey an area.  Some sites may also include rough, very steep terrain that volunteers must be able to walk/climb, as well as crossing small streams and rivers. Training in identifying the lily and search methods will be provided in the field at the beginning of each workday.

Work will be conducted sometime between April 1 and May 12 (dependent on flower development).  A full day’s commitment is required.   For more information and/or to get on a mailing list with more specific details as the survey dates approach, contact Derek Anderson, Botanist/Plant Ecologist, St Paul, at 651-259-5071 or email Derek.Anderson@state.mn.us

 

 

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various plantsProtecting Trees on the North Shore

(NE MN)

 

Promote a healthy forest by planting and protecting trees at Tettegouche State Park.  Help is needed scarifying the soil (raking leaves and needles from areas exposing the soil for tree seeds to grow on), planting trees, trimming, and fencing areas to keep the deer away from trees, to name a few. Starting in May, volunteers can come any day of the week, but need at least 4 hours of time to work.  Please call ahead to set up since winter goes away slowly some years.

Volunteers may also adopt a tree(s) if they so choose at the park. “Adoption” means that the volunteer(s) would return the following year in spring to check the overall health of the tree and/or place a fence around the tree, replant if needed, prune, or remove any competing vegetation. Depending on the species of tree, for instance white pine, we would appreciate it if the volunteer(s) would return in the fall to cap the tree to protect it from deer.

If a volunteer or group would like a different opportunity for service, there is also a need for help on some of the trails. Things such as cleaning debris off of steps, removing small branches that are on the trail, or trimming small encroaching brush are all trail projects that could be done this spring! 

Contact Nick Hoffmann, Operations Supervisor, Silver Bay, 218-226-6365 or e-mail nick.hoffmann@state.mn.us for more information or to schedule a time.  Directions to Tettegouche State Park: The park is located 58 miles northeast of Duluth. Entrance to the park is 4 1/2 miles northeast of Silver Bay on U.S. Highway 61.

 

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various plantsFirst Annual Parsnip Pull at Whitewater State Park - Saturday, June 22

(Southern MN)

 

Volunteers will gather at the main picnic grounds at Whitewater State Park where they will be assigned work groups and work with a group leader to pull parsnip from heavy-use areas of the park. There will be a potluck lunch and volunteers are encouraged to bring a parsnip dish to share. Volunteers should wear long pants, long sleeve shirts, a hat, good work boots and work gloves and bring a shovel. Rubber gloves will be provided. For more information about this event or to sign up, contact Sara Grover, Interpretive Naturalist, Whitewater State Park, Altura, at sara.grover@state.mn.us or by phone at 507-932-3007 ext 226. The park is located 3 miles south of Elba on State Highway 74 just west of Winona

 

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loonMinnesota Loon Monitoring Program

(NW, NE, Central MN)

Volunteers across the state are needed to track Minnesota’s loon population.  With the generous assistance of volunteer observers, the DNR annually gathers information about common loon numbers on more than 600 lakes distributed among six regions, or "index areas" of the state.  Now in its 20th year, the Minnesota Loon Monitoring Program will assign you to a pre-selected lake to count the number of loons you see on one morning between June 28 and July 8, 2013.  See the map for areas needing volunteers.

Detailed instructions, training materials, maps, and a data form will be provided.  Time commitment is 2-4 hours per lake.  Surveys must be done sometime between 5:00 a.m.-12:00 noon. Volunteers must commit to completing assigned lake(s) and be willing to participate in the program for multiple years. 

hosts by busCall or e-mail the following DNR Regional Nongame Wildlife staff to be assigned to a lake(s) in one of the listed counties:

Becker or Otter Tail Counties: Contact Sherry Wright, Bemidji, 218-308-2620, sherry.wright@state.mn.us
Cook, Lake, or Itasca Counties: Contact Sarah Verke, Grand Rapids, 218-999-7808, sarah.verke@state.mn.us 
Aitkin or Crow Wing Counties: Contact Karen McLennan, Brainerd, 218-828-2605, karen.mclennan@state.mn.us
Kandiyohi County: Contact Dorie Tess, New Ulm, 507-359-6036, dorie.tess@state.mn.us

 

 

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girl with fishMinnAqua Fishing: Get in the Habitat! Leaders Guide Workshops

(Metro and Central MN, NE, NW, Southern MN)

Today there are many people in Minnesota that have never tried fishing.  Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources MinnAqua Program needs volunteers that are willing to be trained on our new Fishing: Get in the Habitat!  leader’s guide.  These lessons are ideal to teach to scouts, 4-H, elementary school classes, and other youth organizations.  Whether you are an avid angler or have never picked up a fishing rod, we've designed Fishing: Get in the Habitat! to make it easy for you to plan and conduct fishing trips/clinics that are safe, educational and fun!

The guide includes lessons and activities on:

  • Aquatic Habitats
  • Minnesota Fish
  • Water Stewardship
  • Fisheries Management
  • Fishing Equipment and Skills
  • Safety and the Fishing Trip

Anyone interested in teaching fishing and aquatic education can utilize this easy to use, innovative, Minnesota-based curriculum guide.

Lessons are aligned with:

  • Minnesota Academic Standards for grades 3-5
  • Environmental Literacy Scope and Sequence
  • Boy Scout badge requirements
  • Junior Girl Scout badge requirements
  • 4-H Fishing Sports activity requirements

Interested in joining the MinnAqua team in our goal to introduce every child in Minnesota to the thrill of fishing?

For the metro area and Central Minnesota, contact Michelle Kelly, MinnAqua Education Specialist, at 651-259-5751 or email michelle.kelly@state.mn.us for information.

For Northern Minnesota, contact Nadine Meyer, MinnAqua Education Specialist, at 218-740-2063 or email nadine.meyer@state.mn.us  for information.

For Southern Minnesota, contact Deb Groebner, MinnAqua Aquatic Education Specialist, at (507) 359-6049 or email deborah.groebner@state.mn.us for more information.

 

 

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varnishing cookies100 Tree Cookies

(Metro and Central MN, NW, NE, and Southern MN)

Project Learning Tree (PLT) program is a natural resources education program for teachers across Minnesota. PLT needs volunteers to create “tree cookies” as teaching aides for teachers to use with their students. Tree cookies are slices of branches or trunks that show the rings of a tree. They are used to teach children how trees and other woody plants grow, environmental factors affecting tree growth, tree identification, and more. Teachers often don’t have the time or capability to make these so volunteer help is greatly appreciated!

Slice the branches or trunk into half-inch thick, wafer-shaped “cookies” that are between three to six inches in diameter. Sand the surfaces until the rings appear. Finish the surfaces with clear varnish. "Interesting" cookies with easily readable rings are preferred (e.g. cookies that show history of disease, disturbance, or other story). Labeling cookie species and location harvested is optional, but appreciated. This project can be done individually or with a group (scouts, 4-H, FFA, Kiwanis, etc.) You must provide your own tree or woody plant material, saws, sander, oven, varnish, and labor. When finished contact Laura Duffey, Project Learning Tree Coordinator, at 651-259-5263 or email laura.duffey@state.mn.us to arrange for delivery to site and to get Minnesota DNR recognition! The Project Learning Tree program could use at least 100 cookies made by each volunteer group. 100 cookies are enough for about three classes. So the more you can make, the better! They will be used!
Tree Cookies - How to Make Your Own (PDF)

 

 

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volunteers with desksBuild Portable Field Desks

(Metro and Central MN, NW, NE, and Southern MN)

The Minnesota School Forest Program works with schoolteachers to educate students about forestry topics. Much of this education needs to happen outdoors, however, one of the barriers to outdoor teaching is the teachers’ lack of outdoor infrastructure suitable for learning. Volunteers are needed to help bridge this gap by building portable field desks for the students to use outside. These portable field desks will serve 3 functions: 1) they let students carry in to the field materials like paper, pencils and measuring tools, 2) the removable clipboard/lid gives students a hard surface to write on, and 3) the box itself allows students a portable stool to sit on.

Volunteers who make classroom sets of student field desks will help teachers to take their students outdoors for a variety of natural resources-related educational activities. These portable desks will be given to teachers in the Minnesota School Forest Program (www.mndnr.gov/schoolforest ) who have expressed an interest in teaching outdoors. Volunteers who already work with a teacher in their community are encouraged to create these portable desks for this purpose, too!

Using the carpentry specifications provided in the pdf : "How to Make a Field Desk" 

Volunteers are needed to construct a number of desks. (A classroom set is 30.) Volunteers will need to provide their own lumber, tools, and work site. Volunteer will transport the finished product to selected school. Volunteer should be able to use carpentry tools safely. At the volunteer’s discretion, it’s okay to add a label or wood burn a signature such as “Created by…..” on the bottom of the desks. This could be a possible Eagle Scout project.

Email AmyKay.Kerber@state.mn.us  to select a school to build desks for and make arrangements for this project.

Currently there are about 20 School Forests awaiting field desks.  If you are not able to transport the field desks to the school, a few teachers are willing to pick them up! Contact Amy Kay for more information.

 

 

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instructor certificate***WANTED*** ALL DAY RANGE AND FIELD DAY INSTRUCTORS

(Metro and Central MN, NW, NE, and Southern MN)

Consider becoming a Certified Volunteer Hunter Education Youth Firearms Safety Instructor for the NEW All Day Range and Field Day online course option.

Comments from students and parents about the online option have been nothing but positive. The surprising part is that almost 50% of the online students are 18 or older. The online option provides an opportunity to get safety messages out to those who have missed classroom training in the past.  When they participate in the course from home and come to an All Day Range and Field Day they are truly thankful for the opportunity and quality of training students receive. Course student demographics for both the classroom and online option has remained virtually unchanged at 30% female and 70% male.

Instructors who have offered opportunities for the online student and modified their range day to the All Day Range and Field Day format are ecstatic about the results. They can’t believe how well prepared and engaged the students are at these field days. They’ve seen for themselves that this new delivery method really works. Instructors see first-hand that the mentoring they provide in real hunting situations is the best format to provide training for our students.


Pass on your passion for hunting and shooting sports by teaching ethics and safety to future hunters. Successful applicants will be trained to use methods and procedures for instructing youth and adults in hunter education firearms safety.  Become certified and join a team in your community!  Consider inviting friends to attend the training with you.

For more information on the Education and Training Instructors program please  contact a Regional Training Officer in your area. 

 

 

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firearms safety instructorsVolunteer Safety Instructors

(Metro and Central MN, NW, NE, and Southern MN)

Consider becoming a Certified Volunteer Safety Instructor in Firearms, Bowhunter Education, Snowmobile, ATV, or Wildlife Species!

Pass on a love for your sport by teaching youth and adults the ethics and safety you would expect from those you meet in the field. During the instructor training, applicants will learn about policy and procedures, teaching concepts, use of training aids and youth classroom training techniques.

Check current certified volunteer instructor classes or sign up for our instructor e-mail list to receive notification of any additional instructor training sessions.
All new instructor applicants and instructors seeking recertification must meet the requirements of being at least 18 years old and passing a Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) background check. All applicants for any of the DNR safety programs must also complete the forms online and attend a volunteer instructor training course. There is no fee to attend.

Please contact the Regional Training Officer in your area - Map of RTOs (PDF)

 

 

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mmn logoMinnesota Master Naturalist Training

(Metro and Central MN, NW, NE, and Southern MN))

The Minnesota Master Naturalist Program is a volunteer program that trains adults about Minnesota's natural resources, teaches how to educate others, and provides opportunities to do conservation projects. To learn more visit www.MinnesotaMasterNaturalist.org.

 

 

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horned owlMinnesota’s Breeding Bird Atlas: Help Write the Book on Minnesota’s Breeding Birds!

(NE, NW, Southern, Metro area and Central MN, Statewide)

Great Horned Owl credit: Johnnie Stowers

This is a great opportunity to ‘bird with a purpose’ by participating in the Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas, the largest, most comprehensive bird conservation project ever conducted in Minnesota.  In 2009, Minnesota began this 5-year project to document every breeding species in the state and where they nest. If you ever needed a reason to get outside and go birding, this is it.

 

tiny example map of where owls areNow, after four successful seasons, there is only one more year to contribute breeding bird information and make a lasting contribution to Minnesota bird conservation.  In 2013, volunteers and partners will submit their sightings before September 1 which will wrap-up this historic project.  We are expecting the final season to our best ever!

There are Two Ways to Help

  • Surveyors select and sign-up for a critical (priority) block.  Blocks are available throughout the state.  Surveyors spend about 20 hours between March and August driving, walking, paddling, or biking through different habitats within their survey block to record what they see.  The goal for every block survey is to record as many species as you can find with the strongest evidence of breeding observed for each species.  Evidence includes: seeing a pair in suitable habitat, an adult carrying nesting material or food, or seeing fledglings.

2. Field Observers document evidence of breeding species the same as surveyors, however, they are can submit observations from anywhere throughout the state or from your backyard or favorite birding site.

Participants do not need to be experts but need to be sure the species they report is correct.  We do not count birds and you don’t have to find nests, although by watching bird behavior you will definitely find them.

Please join us!

Your observations will help us learn more about our breeding birds and you will improve your bird identification and observational skills. Results from the Atlas will map the distribution of every breeding species we find and support local, county, state, and regional conservation planning.

To learn more about this project, how to participate, or see Atlas results to date, check out our project website, www.mnbba.org.  Review the Handbook under the Materials tab and then use the Easy Guide to get started.

Still have questions? Contact the Project Coordinator, Bonnie Sample at bsample@audubon.org, or 651-739-9332, ext 20.

The Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas is funded by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund and the MN DNR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Audubon Minnesota, the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union, and the Natural Resources Research Institute at UMD.

 

 

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st croix riverGet Involved at Interstate State Park

(Metro Area and Central MN)

Located on the St Croix River, Interstate State Park has cliffs, glacial deposits and potholes that make this park unique. Enjoy the beautiful river bluff scenery as you assist the Park Naturalists with a variety of activities this spring and summer.  The following two projects need up to 3 volunteers each. Grab a friend and volunteer at the park!

  • Trail Monitor

Hike park trails with the naturalist at first and then eventually on your own, searching for and recording the presence of particular plants or wildlife. Pick up litter while hiking the trails to help keep the park beautiful. Assist the naturalist with invasive species removal in key areas of the park.

Volunteers should have an interest in or knowledge of local plant and animal species.  Time required for trail monitoring varies and may be Monday through Sunday between 9 am and 4 pm.

  • Interpretive Activity Assistant

Assist staff naturalists with ongoing games, crafts, and nature-based activities at the Visitor Center during special events.  Volunteers with an interest in or knowledge of local plant and animal species, and who enjoy working with the public are needed for 1 – 3 hours on Saturdays or Sundays in May through August.

For more information on these volunteer positions, contact Jenni Webster, Interpretive Naturalist, Interstate State Park, 307 Milltown Rd, Taylors Falls, MN 55086      at 651-465-5711 x 225 or email Jenni.webster@state.mn.us

 

 

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lake carlos state parkVolunteer Naturalist Assistant – Lake Carlos State Park

(Metro Area and Central MN)

Sculpted by ancient glaciers, Lake Carlos State Park contains a variety of interesting natural areas that people enjoy exploring and learning more about, such as a tamarack bog, marshes, woodland ponds, and lakes.  Assist the park naturalist in organizing craft activities and assembling program materials for interpretive programs on these areas. 

If that’s not your thing, volunteers are needed to open and staff the Visitor Center during times that the naturalist is not present.  Give information, answer questions, and be a friendly face for the visitors. 

Finally, volunteers are always needed to assist in several large programs or events throughout the year (school groups, fishing programs, Fall Founders Day, and Candlelight Events).   Several people may help, so bring your friends with you to volunteer anytime!  Some knowledge of nature is preferred, but not required.

For more information contact Ben Eckhoff, Area Naturalist, Lake Carlos State Park,  2601 County Rd. 38 NE Carlos, MN 56319, at  320-852-7200 or email Benjamin.Eckhoff@state.mn.us   The park entrance is located 10 miles north of Alexandria on State Highway 29, then 2 miles west on Highway 38.

 

 

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riprapWater Permits Consolidation

(Metro Area and Central MN)

Assist with filing, sorting and scanning public waters and water appropriation permit paper files into an electronic format.  Public waters permits are issued for beach sand blankets, riprap (which protects the shore from eroding), and construction of bridges and culverts.  Water appropriation permits are required for those requesting to use 10,000 gallons of water per day or 1 million gallons of water per year for irrigation purposes.  This general office work will help reduce the amount of file cabinets needed as the office undergoes remodeling.

Volunteers with entry-level computer and typing skills are needed.  Training will be provided.  This work must be done at the DNR Central Region Headquarters, 1200 Warner Road, Saint Paul, MN 55106, anytime from 10 AM – 2 PM, Monday through Friday.  Hours are flexible and any amount of time is acceptable (from 1 to 4 hours). For more information contact Lindsey Peterson, Ecological and Water Resources, St Paul, at 651-259-5771 or email Lindsey.peterson@state.mn.us

 

 

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bridgeFiling Water Sheets 

(Metro area and Central MN)

Since 1937, water appropriation permits have been required from entities that take more than one million gallons of water per year from a water source of the State.   Assist in filing the 2010 water use information sheets submitted by all municipal and public water supply systems.  This information is used to determine the possible impacts of the use of the water on natural resources and the sustainability of the use.

Filing these sheets will make the original source of the data readily and easily available.
One volunteer is needed to match the permit number and name on the sheets with those in the books.  Training will be provided.

The time commitment is flexible Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM at the DNR Central Office, 500 Lafayette Road, Saint Paul, MN 55155.  For more information contact Joe Richter, Hydrologist, at 651-259-5703 or email Joe.Richter@state.mn.us

 

 

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mud lake damMowing Control Dam Site

(NE MN)

Enjoy some great bird and otter watching while helping to mow, trim grass, and pick up litter at the Mud Lake Dam public access site on the Leech River located in the Mud Goose Wildlife Management Area, Northern Cass County, near the town of Ball Club.  This site is a water control dam, at the outlet of Mud Lake, commonly used by fishermen, duck hunters, bird watchers and those harvesting wild rice. Maintenance of the site would need to be done about every two weeks for one to two hours during the open water fishing /hunting season, dependent on grass growth and public use from late April through October. Some mileage reimbursement is available for a local person. A power push lawn mower and weed whip will be stored at the site, so the volunteer doesn’t have to load and unload, or travel with them every time. 

Feel free to bring your fishing rod and bait to stay and catch fish while standing on the dam or along the shore below.  Or just enjoy the site as is after the work is done! You’re almost guaranteed to see otters, waterfowl, songbirds and eagles every time you go!

For more information on this or two other water access sites in the area that could use some cleaning up, contact Mark Spoden, Assistant Area Wildlife Manager, Grand Rapids, at 218 – 999 – 7941 or email mark.spoden@state.mn.us

 

 

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campsiteTrail Clearing and Campground Preparation

(Southern MN)

Enjoy the fresh spring weather while preparing campgrounds and trails for the busy season in Frontenac State Park located on Lake Pepin.  Volunteers are needed to clear the bluff face trails of leaves, branches and other debris that has accumulated over the winter.  Leaf raking is needed in campsites and the picnic area.  The trails traverse steep terrain with steps and switchbacks and can be physically demanding in spots.  Light to moderate lifting is required to clear branches. This project can be done on weekdays or weekends.   It is preferred that volunteers work at least half days, if possible, but smaller time blocks will be accepted.  Help is needed in April, possibly late March if spring arrives early.  For more information contact Jenny Dehn, Assistant Park Manager, Frontenac State Park, 651-345-3401, or email Jennifer.dehn@state.mn.us

Frontenac State Park is located approximately 10 miles SE of Red Wing on Highway 61 or 5 miles northwest of Lake City, then 1 mile north on County Road 2.

 

 

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fishingExperienced Anglers Wanted!

(Southern MN)

Do you know how to clean fly line, maintain different kinds of reels, or load new monofilament onto a closed-face reel? The MinnAqua fishing equipment at the DNR’s Southern Regional Office in New Ulm is due for some TLC! This is a way for individual volunteers or organizations with experience and a high level of expertise in the care and maintenance of fly-, ice-, and/or spin-casting fishing equipment to help new anglers get excited about fishing!

MinnAqua is a statewide education program designed to teach angling recreation and stewardship as well as the ecology and conservation of aquatic habitats.
Our fishing equipment gets used by children and adults during fishing clinics, special events, and workshops led by MinnAqua interns and Specialists. Well-maintained, functional equipment is essential to the success of fishing education programs: if a first-time angler gets frustrated with a broken reel, s/he may quickly lose interest in fishing altogether.

While equipment maintenance is an ongoing need, it’s most critical in the spring before the busy summer kicks off in early June.   Here’s what’s needed:

  • Examine fishing rods and reels (spin, ice, and/or fly combos) to identify equipment that needs to be cleaned, repaired, or replaced
  • Replace or clean fishing line; complete basic reel maintenance; make minor equipment repairs
  • Document maintenance completed and note which equipment is not repairable or requires professional repair

This would be a great project for a couple of volunteers to do any weekday or possibly on a few weekends or evenings as a sportsman’s group or fishing club.  Some travel reimbursement is available.

For more information contact Deb Groebner, MinnAqua Aquatic Education Specialist, 261 Highway 15 South, New Ulm, MN  56073 at (507) 359-6049 or email deborah.groebner@state.mn.us

 

 

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