Join Twin Cities Trout Unlimited as they help the DNR improve the Vermillion River and this Aquatic Management Area for wildlife and anglers.

Work will include:
-Removing buckthorn, honeysuckle and other invasive species
-Pulling debris out of the water
-Picking up trash

Bring heavy work gloves and a willingness to work hard and maybe get wet!

This event is part of Twin Cities Trout Unlimited’s Vermillion River Initiative-a focus on protecting and enhancing this cold water stream so near to the Twin Cities! Join us TCTU as they help the DNR continue to restore the Vermillion River & this Aquatic Management Area for wildlife.

Work will include:

-Removing buckthorn, other invasive species and boxelders
-Dragging and dropping the brush into piles
-Picking up any trash we find

Bring heavy work gloves and a willingness to work hard.

There won’t be any in-water work, but we’ll be able to keep our eyes open for trout!

In case this is cancelled, the back-up day will be June 8, same time and place.

Twin Cities Trout Unlimited needs 14 volunteers to help improve stream habitat for trout.

What Will We Be Doing

This will be Day 1 of a unique 2 Day effort. You can also, if so desired, sign up for Day 2 (a separate sign-up for Saturday, Aug. 24).

Under the direction of Mark Nemeth of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, we will be harvesting & hauling cedar trees to a trailer, then delivering to the South Branch Vermillion Aquatic Management Area. The trees will be used to protect the banks of several areas on the river. We will also be doing some reseeding where we cut the trees.

The Plan

Meet at the start time at the parking lot of the AMA. We will carpool to the Vermillion Highlands area to cut trees, re-seed, and haul the trees back to the AMA.

What You Should Bring

• Long pants
• Long sleeve shirt
• Sunblock
• Heavy work gloves
• Water

What TCTU & the DNR Will Provide

• All equipment
• Bug spray
• LUNCH after we’re all done working

Registration will end 24 hours before the event for an accurate headcount.

Twin Cities Trout Unlimited needs 20 volunteers to help improve stream habitat for trout.

Under direction from Mark Nemeth of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, we will be installing cedar trees (cut during the event the day before) in sections of the river to protect the stream banks from erosion.

The Plan

• Meet at the start time at the parking lot of the South Branch Vermillion River Aquatic Management Area.
• We will haul and install cedars at several locations in the river.

What You Should Bring

• Chest waders (in water work) or be prepared to wet wade
• Long sleeve shirt
• Sunblock
• Heavy work gloves
• Water

What the DNR & TCTU Will Provide

• All equipment
• Bug spray
• LUNCH after we’re all done working

Registration will close 24 hours before the event for an accurate list of participants.

What’s A Redd?

Trout are gravel nest spawners. Females excavate a nest, called a redd, where they deposit eggs. These eggs are fertilized by one or more male trout and then covered by gravel. Counting the number and distribution of redds over time provides data on the health of our streams. TCTU has decided to begin collecting redd data on the trout streams in our service area, data that we can share with the DNR, other agencies and anyone that is interested.

What Will We Be Doing?

• Doing TCTU’s 1st ever redd survey
• We will be walking the stream (about 1.8 miles)  searching for and documenting redds
• We hope to have a total of 9 volunteers

The Plan

• Meet at the start time at the parking lot of the AMA.
• We will break out into teams, and walk sections of the river searching for and documenting redds.

What You Should Bring

• Clothes appropriate for the weather!
• Chest waders as some of you will have to cross the stream!

The short grasses and wildflowers of the dry prairie at the Hastings Sand Coulee Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) offer a unique beauty in the Twin Cities area. Fourteen rare plant and animal species call this coulee home. The deeply rooted prairie plants also help filter pollutants from runoff water before it can enter the nearby Vermillion and Mississippi rivers.

On this spring evening, volunteers will work with FMR staff to identify and pull garlic mustard, an invasive plant that is found in one small area of the oak woodland flanking the prairie. By removing this plant, volunteers will improve habitat for the native woodland plant and animal species in just a couple of hours, ensuring this garlic mustard patch does not spread.

This event is part of the Vermillion Stewards program, engaging residents to learn about the watershed while working to protect and enhance its unique natural resources.

Please wear sturdy shoes, long pants and long sleeves, and be prepared to work on hilly, uneven terrain in a dense understory of buckthorn. All are welcome, but capacity is limited and registration is required. As always, all tools and training will be provided and volunteers are encouraged to work at their own pace and comfort level.