Develop a program to involve community members in hands-on land restoration, invasive species management and stewardship projects.
Best Practice of this action
Rating Guideline
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Create an annual event (can be in cooperation with other organizations) or ongoing 'adopt a park' effort for volunteer trash cleanup of open space, buckthorn removal, etc. for parks or selected public open space areas; educate community members about invasive species. Report gardens plots in city parks under BP 27.3 |
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In addition to cleanup and removal of exotics (1 Star), engage community members in annual restoration of natural areas (replanting shoreland buffers, restoring prairie, etc.). |
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Create and fund an annual city-wide event for cleanup and restoration, engaging residents in most neighborhoods and creating a public promotion around the event; coordinate the use of unused public land for seasonal community use (pop-up parks, gardens, art, etc.). |
Resources
- See St. Paul-based Great River Greening for assistance in working with volunteers, and Sentencing to Service for a court alternative that puts carefully selected, nonviolent offenders to work on community improvement projects.
- 'Friends of the Parks' civic groups help deliver, among other benefits, cost savings to a city from the use of volunteers.
- Community volunteers often help a city in managing terrestrial and aquatic invasive species; guidance and funding for invasives' management is available from MN DNR and a number of other organizations.
- Promote or coordinate a citizen science program. Use the SciStarter project finder to find an activity that will help your community.
- Clean up and utilize unused public land for seasonal needs such as event space, parks, art installations, and community gardens - see BPA 27.3.
Order Number
8