Seeds for stewardship: Volunteers collect native prairie seed in Heritage Park

Some 47 volunteers braved the near-freezing chill October 8 to help Friends of the Mississippi River gather much-needed native plant seed at a local restored prairie.

Tucked amongst industrial and residential properties along and near the riverfront, the naturalized area is part of Heritage Village Park, which is also home to a section of the Metro Big River Trail.

According to FMR Stewardship Coordinator Adam Flett, the native plants provide much-needed habitat and sustenance for the millions of birds who migrate through our local stretch of the Mississippi River Flyway annually, not to mention resident populations.

Supported by the city and Inver Grove Heights Parks and Recreation, FMR recently began recruiting and engaging community members to tend the prairie as well as the Rock Island Swing Bridge Park a few blocks south.

Flett said he was delighted at the turnout.

“Community volunteers are the cornerstone of FMR’s habitat restoration efforts. They’re essential,” he noted.

Currently, just over two dozen Inver Grove Heights residents volunteer with FMR. Anyone interested in receiving notices about future local restoration events can contact Flett at aflett@fmr.org.