Spring events to restore lakes and rivers
Thanks to support of volunteers and partners, Great River Greening is expecting to host over 1,000 volunteers this spring in public and private restoration events that kick off mid-April.
[Spring 2013] With registration for this season's activities now open, volunteers are eager to work at some new sites as well as return to old favorites. The latter include projects to restore a rare urban trout stream, open up stunning views of the Minnesota Valley from a cloak of overgrown undesirable shrubs, and protect the last remaining undeveloped shoreline on Cedar Lake, in New Prague.Shoreline transformation made possible by volunteers and supportersWork at Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park is scheduled for May 18, when 100 volunteers will work to help transform a diversion ditch into a wetland at the park by planting native upland and aquatic vegetation, augmenting the site engineering and excavation already completed by Greening ecologists.The wetland has added a half acre of surface water along the shore of Cedar Lake. Frogs, muskrats and turtles have already moved in to the new habitat. The May 18 planting event will further enhance the educational opportunities and wildlife value. Volunteers are truly making a difference for the site, joining the 150 Greening volunteers who last fall planted native shrubs for a shoreline buffer (pictured above).Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park was identified as one of the Last Best Places in the Metropolitan Council's Regional Parks Policy Plan. It boasts attractions that park-goers love including wetlands, mixed woodlands, picnic areas, horseshoe pits, open fields, a lake, and over 4,000 feet of pristine lakeshore for swimming and other lake sports, including shore fishing. The lake has ample supply of bluegill and walleye, black crappie, largemouth bass, northern pike, and yellow perch.Long term plans for the park involve further enhancing the wildlife value of the area and educational opportunities for stewards of tomorrow to learn about native species, aquatic life, and restoration.