Scientific and Natural Areas

Purpose:

Assist with management of invasive species and native plant community enhancement on Minnesota’s Scientific and Natural Areas. This position will locate, document, and remove buckthorn on Spring Creek Prairie SNA and Cannon River Turtle Preserve SNA.

Position Priorities:

• Regular visits to selected sites to monitor and remove buckthorn
• Provide invasive species reports and location data to SNA staff
• Track invasive species removal progress over an 8-month period

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Removal (hand-pull, clip or lop) and treatment of buckthorn
• Monitor current and search for new populations of buckthorn
• Document invasive species locations (take GPS point, use EDDMapS, upload geotagged observations to iNaturalist, or other methods coordinated with SNA staff)
• Assist in monitoring invasive species management projects
• Report buckthorn removal progress via Microsoft Forms
• Follow DNR’s Culture of Respect
• Be open and honest. Communicate with those who need it, credit those who deserve it, and acknowledge mistakes.
• Respect others. Acknowledge divergent views, involve staff appropriately in decision processes, and share decisions and rationale promptly.
• Work together. Take pride in your volunteerism, function professionally, and embrace innovation.
• Respect departmental process. Support decisions, work within department systems, and continuously strive to improve those systems.
• Value Safety. Put safety first in our work, commit to a goal of zero accidents, strive to eliminate unsafe practices, and demonstrate safety excellence in all we do.

Restricted work:

• No use of power tools.
• Herbicide use is only permitted upon completion of proper safety training coordinated with SNA staff.
• If anything exceeds your physical abilities or seems strange, leave the area and seek assistance. You are asked to report problems but are not responsible for enforcing rules and regulations.

*Rules for visiting an SNA

Qualifications needed: 

• Interest or experience in native plant community enhancement and invasive species control.
• Willingness to work independently.
• Must be 16 years of age or older.
• Ability to navigate throughout site (including off trail).
• Ability to document geographical data for invasive species populations.
• Ability to walk over uneven ground.
• Ability to stand, bend, stoop and carry objects.
• Willingness to share contact information with other volunteers to create a volunteer network.
• Experience in a variety of invasive species removal techniques, including hand pulling, clipping, lopping, cutting, and sawing is helpful.

Required Safety Training Topics: 

• Buckthorn Blaster Training video 
• Buckthorn Blaster Quiz for Volunteers
• Hazards and Unsafe Conditions
• Heat and Cold Related Illness
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Poisonous and Hazardous Plants
• Tickborne Illness
• UV Radiation (Sun Protection)
• Invasive plant identification and removal techniques (will be demonstrated at September 27^th 10am-2pm, volunteer training event at Spring Creek Prairie or alternative arrangements can be made if needed)
• Also recommended: Tips for Safe Volunteer Stewardship

Minimum Time Commitment:

Commitment is for 8 months with work totaling 24 hours or about 3 hours per month. The volunteer should visit sites to monitor and/or remove buckthorn and submit a report once a month from October 2025 to May 2026, but more visits are encouraged.

Enrollment Process

• Complete the online application on Volunteer Impact. 
• SNA staff will reach out to coordinate a brief interview to provide more details about the position and answer any questions.
• A background check will be processed before beginning the position.