Dakota County Parks

General Description

Help us enhance a remnant prairie right here in Dakota County. Remnant prairies are fragments of Minnesota’s original, pre-settlement prairie landscapes that are home to rich and irreplaceable biodiversity.

Whitetail Woods Regional Park in Farmington contains acres of prairie landscapes that were once used for agriculture/livestock grazing. But nestled within the park, we also have pockets of prairie that have never been tilled or converted for various land use. Preserving these areas is a top priority for us!

Join us out in the prairies this season to help us protect and promote these rare and amazing areas of the county. Activities vary with each shift and may include removing encroaching woody species, treating cut stumps with herbicide, planting native plugs and native seed collection.

No experience is necessary, just an enthusiasm to help and a willingness to learn!

Location/Directions

Whitetail Woods Regional Park - Empire Lake Shelter

17100 Station Trail

Farmington, MN 55024

Follow the park driveway all the way to the parking lot and meet at the picnic shelter.

Dates/Times

Tuesday, June 9 5-7pm

Thursday, June 25 2-4pm

Tuesday, July 7 5-7pm

Thursday, July 23 2-4pm

Tuesday, August 4 5-7pm

Thursday, August 20 2-4pm

Tuesday, September 8 5-7pm

Thursday, September 24 2-4pm

Duties & Responsibilities

• Volunteers will assist Parks staff in enhancing remnant prairie.
• Activities will vary throughout the season but will include cutting woody species and treating stumps with herbicide, planting native plants and seed collection.
• Other related activities may apply as well.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be able to walk 1/4 mile each way between picnic shelter and work site, mostly on mowed grass but also within areas of tall vegetation and on uneven terrain.
• Accommodation may be provided to shorten walking distance to 1/10 mile upon request. Please reach out before signing up if you have questions or concerns.
• Tools, gloves, and training will be provided.

Age Requirements 

Children over age 13 are welcome to accompany their grown-ups. If minors want to volunteer by themselves, they need to be 16 years old or older.

Minimum Time Commitment

Shifts will be 2 hours including a brief intro and a 10-minute walk to the site. You are welcome to sign-up for as many shifts as you would like to throughout the season, no maximum/minimum hours required.

Activity Level

Medium - Will involve varying amounts of activity (some walking on rough terrain; moderate physical exertion of bending, stooping, kneeling; using arms/hands to use hand tools and herbicide applicators). May not be suitable for volunteers with physical limitations. Contact us with questions. Comfortable, sturdy, closed-toe shoes and long pants required. Long sleeve tops, sun protection (hat, sunscreen), and tick protection (gaiters or tucking pants into socks) highly recommended.

ATTENTION: Pollinators are out! This event will take place outside, in nature, out in the elements. This project may expose you to outdoor elements that are beyond our control. Please do not participate if you have severe or adverse allergic reactions to outdoor elements such as bee stings or plant sensitivities. Please let the volunteer coordinator know if you get stung or hurt during the event so that we can help. 

Contact Information

Megan Howard (she/her)

Natural Resources Technician

megan.howard@co.dakota.mn.us 

612-834-7365