EVENTS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

*January 8
Legislative Forum
6:00p.m. Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W. Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul. Join the environmental and conservation community in a discussion of MEP's new collaborative agenda and other important environmental issues.

*January 8
Eskimo Curlew
Audubon Minnesota, St. Paul Chapter
7:00p.m. Fairview Community Center, 1910 West County Road B, Roseville. One of the great mysteries in the world of birds is the lack of attention paid to a dwindling species, the Eskimo Curlew. At one time it was one of the most numerous birds in North America, now it hovers on the brink of extinction. In fact, many treat its extinction as inevitable, pointing to the few sightings since the 1960s. But Bob Russell and others think there’s room for hope. Some believe the curlew still could persist in the vastness of the Argentine pampas and North American arctic. Russell, who has led two Maritimes expeditions in search of the curlew and has surveyed habitat in Argentina, will describe the bird’s history and decline due to market hunting in the 1800s. He’ll discuss the curlew’s far-flung migration route, discuss sightings and searches as well as the bird’s former stopover and wintering sites. “I’ll also note the top 10 sites to look for this species, should anyone wish to mount their own search,” Russell adds. Bird lovers everywhere are invited to this free Saint Paul Audubon program at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8 at Fairview Community Center, 1910 West County Road B in Roseville, just west of Fairview Avenue. The event is open to the public, with free parking. Come at 6:45 for the social hour and  For more information, call Dan McGuiness at 651-260-6260.

*January 9
Conference on Renewable Engery Payments
8:00a.m. St. Olaf College, Northfield. This one-day conference will explore the innovative renewable energy payment (feed-in tariff), a policy designed to encourage rapid development of renewable energy production while maximizing local ownership and the community economic benefit. For more information go to http://www.ilsr.org/fitconference.html

*January 10
Winter Birds
Audubon Minnesota, Minnesota River Valley Chapter
2:30p.m. Wilkie Unit, MVNWR. Join fellow birders for a birding event. For more infomation contact Craig Mandel at 952-546-3407.

*January 10
Minnesota Grown Vegetables in Winter
9:00a.m. - 4:30p.m. Hamline University, St. Paul. 9:00 am – 1:00 pm 1st session 12:00pm – 1:00pm Lunch - featuring locally produced foods will be available. 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm 2nd session - Multiple language translation provided. Presenters: Carol Ford and Chuck Waibel, Garden Goddess CSA Location: Hamline University, St. Paul MN, Law and Graduate Student Building, Room 005. The fee for the workshop is $15 per person. For Land Stewardship Project members and Minnesota Food Association member farmers the workshop is free. Session 1 and 2 will cover the same information. Call Amy Bacigalupo to reserve a spot at 320-269-2105.

*January 11
Full Moon Hike
North Star Chapter of the Sierra Club
6:00 - 7:30p.m. MN Valley Wildlife Refuge, Wilkie Unit. Meet at the trailhead off of Hwy 101 and hike through frozen wetlands to catch a glimpse of the Minnesota River under the full moon. The hike is 2-3 miles round trip. Wear warm clothes and bring a small flashlight (just in case). Dogs are allowed on leash. For more information or to RSVP contact Outing leader, Angie Hong at 952-261-9599 or algoodri@hotmail.com.

*January 11
Worm Composting Workshop
Eureka Recycling
2:00p.m. Griggs Recreation Center, 1188 Hubbard Ave, St. Paul. Worm composting, also known as vermiculture composting, allows you to compost kitchen scraps even if you don't have space for a backyard compost bin. With an indoor worm bin, you can turn your kitchen scraps into a potent natural fertilizer all year long. This workshop has tips for maintaining a healthy worm bin no matter what type of composter you are. Please call Eureka Recycling at 651-222-7678 to register or inquire about additional workshop dates. Workshop cost: $5 (a limited number of scholarships are available. Please call for details). Workshop participants will be eligible to purchase worms and informational materials for $45.

*January 15
Expand your zone- Extend your season
1:00 - 5:30p.m. St. Cloud Civic Center. A season extension workshop led by one of the nation’s leading experts, Eliot Coleman, author of The New Organic Grower, Four Season Harvest, and Winter Harvest Manual. Eliot Coleman will discuss suitable crops, soils and fertility management, tunnels and tunnel construction, timing of plantings, yearly scheduling, growing crops not normally grown in northern zones, and much more. There will be plenty of time for discussion and questions. The workshop will be held at the St. Cloud Civic Center, MN. The $50 Registration Fee includes the workshop, afternoon break, and a copy of Eliot Coleman’s book, Winter Harvest Manual. Seating is limited. The event is brought to you by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the University of Minnesota Southwest Research and Outreach Center with additional funding from: Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy Sow the Seeds Campaign, Minnesota Institute.

*January 16-17
2009 Minnesota Organic Conference and Trade Show
St. Cloud Civic Center, 10 Fourth Ave. South, St. Cloud. Information on organic agriculture for both experienced organic producers as well as people new to this farming system. Besides the keynote speakers there will be more than 30 breakout sessions on organic production of crops, dairy, livestock, fruits and vegetables, marketing, and many more topics. We will serve organic and grass-fed products for our snacks and meals, and highlight these growers and processors at the conference. For more information go to http://www.mda.state.mn.us/food/organic/.

*January 17
Brush Removal at Ottawa Bluffs
The Nature Conservancy
10:00a.m. - 2:00p.m. Ottawa Bluffs, Le Sueur County. Join the Nature Conservancy to help remove brush at the Ottawa Bluffs.. For more information about volunteering, call the Conservancy at 612-331-0762 or email mnvolunteer@tnc.org to sign up for the monthly volunteer e-newsletter.

*January 17
Cross-Country Skiing Day Trip
North Star Chapter of the Sierra Club
St. Croix River, Grantsburg, WI. Day cross-country skiing along the bluffs and bottom lands of the St. Croix River near Grantsburg, Wisconsin. We will break our own trail for eight miles and be out all day. You will need a day pack with extra clothing, food and water. . For more information or to RSVPcontact Outing Leader, Basil Loney at 651-774-2640 (evenings) .

*January 17
Dinner on the Lake
Audubon Center of the North Woods
7:00 - 10:00p.m. Sandstone. Join the Audubone Center of the North Woods for a delicious meal, plus a chance to learn more about reducing your carbon footprint, saving money and energy. For more information go to http://www.audubon-center.org/dinner.htm

*January 17
Brush Removal at Weaver Dunes
The Nature Conservancy
10:00a.m. - 2:00p.m. Weaver Dunes, Wabasha County, near Kellogg. Join the Nature Conservancy for a day to help the Weaver Dunes. For more information about volunteering, call the Conservancy at 612-331-0762 or email mnvolunteer@tnc.org to sign up for the monthly volunteer e-newsletter.

*January 17-18
Gardening Like the Forest: Fundamentals of Ecological Gardening
9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m. Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), 2501 Stevens Ave., Minneapolis. This workshop explores the vision, theory, design, and practice of ecosystem agriculture using the temperate deciduous forest ecosystem as the model. Lectures and experiential class will reveal the nature of ecosystem architecture, social structure, underground economics, and succession. This is a workshop for gardeners, designers, and students of gardening, ecology, and design. Cost: Early Bird: (Before Dec. 6th) $100; After Dec. 6th: $125; Workshop Kit: $185, includes Workshop, PRI Cold Climate membership and Introduction to Permaculture by Bill Mollison. Online Registration at www.pricoldclimate.org. For more information contact Kara Ferguson at karaferguson08@gmail.com or 612-423-5441.

*January 22
Reducing Energy Costs in Local Government
9:00a.m. - 4:30p.m. St. Cloud Civic Center, St. Cloud. Learn about actions that local government can take now to reduce energy costs through case studies of communities that have successfully reduced their energy bills, access to energy assistance providers, information sharing and discussion with other communities that are taking successful steps and realizing the benefits. Sponsored by Association of MN Counties, League of MN Cities, MN Association of Townships, MN Dept. of Commerce, Office of Energy Security, MPCA, & MN School Boards Association. For more information contact Paul Moss at paul.moss@state.mn.us or 651-296-6300.

*January 22-23
Midwest Value Added Agriculture Conference
Rochester. "Farm and Home Added Value: Profiting from Renewable Energy and Regional Food" is the theme for the 11th annual conference. Learn how to profit from the growing market for local food and renewable energy. Visit the trade show, participate in round table discussions and eat your fill of great locally grown food. For more info http://www.rivercountryrcd.org/valad.html.

*January 24
Winter Birds
Audubon Minnesota, Minnesota River Valley Chapter
2:30p.m. Visitor Center, MVNWR. Join fellow birders for a birding event. For more infomation contact George Skinner at 952-936-0811 .

*January 24
Cross Country Skiing
North Star Chapter of the Sierra Club
1:00p.m. Lebanon Hills Visitor Center, 860 Cliff Road, Eagan. We'll gather at 1:00 pm inside the Lebanon Hills visitor center. Plan on an a 1 - 1 1/2 hour leisurely tour. Ski rentals are available at the park. There are a number of trails with varying levels of ability, so we'll pick the most suitable for all of us. Afterwards we can enjoy hot cider and companionship in the visitor's center. Note that starting this year there is a $5 daily ski pass required. No dogs are allowed on the ski trails. For more information contact outings leader Tom Baltutis at tfbaltutis@earthlink.net.

*January 24
11th Annual Citizens in Action Workshop
Clean Water Action, Duluth
9:00a.m. - 2:00p.m. Unitarian Universalist Congregation Church, 835 W College St, Duluth. Speakers, workshops, networking. Opening speaker Senator Tarryl Clark- Assistant Majority Leader. Meet your area elected officials. Free %amp; open to the public. Sponsored by Clean Water Action and the League of Women voters. For more information contact Rosie Loeffler-Kemp at 218-722-8557 or rkemp@cleanwater.org.

*January 24-25
Weekend Winter Camping
North Star Chapter of the Sierra Club
BWCA Ely District. We will leave Friday at 6pm and return Sunday evening. This short trip would be a good opportunity to introduce yourself to the Boundary Waters in the winter. . For more information and to RSVP contact outings leader Basil Loney at 651-774-2640 (evenings).

*January 26
The Colors of a River: Pollution and the Upper Mississippi River
Friends of the Mississippi River
7:00 - 8:30p.m. Augsburg College, Minneapolis. What was the Mississippi River like when only American Indians and early explorers paddled its waters? When did we first begin polluting the Mississippi and how? How bad did it get before anyone did something about it? Join historian and author Dr. John O. Anfinson of the National Park Service for a discussion of these questions and a look at the pollution issues facing the great Mississippi today. John, a dynamic and engaging speaker, is a historian with the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service. He is the author of a history of the metro area Mississippi River entitled A River of History and The River We Have Wrought: A History of the Upper Mississippi River, published as an independent scholar with the University of Minnesota Press. This event is part of the Gorge Stewards program and is sponsored by the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization. A defining feature of the Upper Mississippi, the River Gorge is an ecological treasure in the heart of the Twin Cities metro-area. The Gorge Stewards program brings citizens together to restore and protect this amazing resource. (More Gorge Stewards will be posted on the calendar as the habitat restoration and outdoor event season approaches.) While the presentation is free, space is limited. Pre-registration to Friends of the Mississippi River Volunteer Coordinator Sue Rich is required. Email srich@fmr.org or leave a message at 651-222-2193 x14 including: your name, the number in your party, your email, your daytime phone number and your mailing address (or just city and ZIP if you prefer not to receive postcard event notifications). A confirmation e-mail with details, including the lecture's exact location, will be sent to registrants only.

*January 27th
What's the Future for Grassland Birds?
Audubon Minnesota, Zumbro Valley
7:00p.m. Quarry Hill Nature Center, 701 Silver Creek Road NE.Douglas Johnson,  a research statistician and senior scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey's Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center will discuss Grassland birds, their decline, and what must be done to secure their survival.  Doug and his colleagues have conducted a variety of studies of grassland birds in North and South Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota. As a group, grassland birds recently have been recognized as the species that have suffered the greatest population declines. Doug will discuss the diversity of birds that depend on grasslands as well as the ecological forces that shape grasslands and their bird communities. For more information go to http://www.zumbrovalleyaudubon.org/.

*January 30-31
Northwest Regional Workshop: Connecting People, Parks, Trails and Communities
Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota
Chase on the Lake, Leech Lake, Walker. The Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have been working with a dynamic group of Northwestern Minnesota leaders who have identified common ground for promoting and providing stewardship of the region’s outdoor resources. From recreation and natural resource interpretation to tourism and economic sustainability, Northwestern Minnesota is brimming with new outdoor opportunities. This workshop is designed specifically to build and strengthen lasting partnerships between Northwestern Minnesota park and trail professionals, park groups, trail groups, community leaders and business leaders. By bringing together this diverse cross-section of stakeholders, this workshop will help create new energy and foster a broader understanding of the issues and opportunities for parks, trails, tourism, economic development and active and healthy living within the region. The workshop is intended to help establish a more cohesive network of organizations and individuals who already have a vested interest in identifying and expanding opportunities for connecting people with the outdoors. A workshop registration fee of $50 includes dinner on Friday, Jan. 30 and lunch on Jan. 31. Friday night lodging at Chase on the Lake is available at a special conference rate of $109. To reserve a room, please call 218-547-7777 and say you are with the Parks & Trails Council workshop. Exhibitor space is available. Groups or organizations that register at least one person will be able to display and disseminate information free of charge. Groups or organizations that will not be registering someone to attend the workshop can set up a display for a nominal fee of $25. For more information, please contact Brett at 651-726-2457. Registration forms containing a complete workshop schedule will be mailed in mid December. Online registration will also begin in mid December.

*January 31
Brush Removal at Ottawa Bluffs
The Nature Conservancy
10:00a.m. - 2:00p.m. Ottawa Bluffs, Le Sueur County. Join the Nature Conservancy to help remove brush at the Ottawa Bluffs.. For more information about volunteering, call the Conservancy at 612-331-0762 or email mnvolunteer@tnc.org to sign up for the monthly volunteer e-newsletter.

FEBRUARY

*February 7
Birding Field Trip
Audubon Minnesota, Zumbro Valley
9:00a.m. Quarry Hill Nature Center, 701 Silver Creek Road NE. Junco Bird Watching Tour led by Terry & Joyce Grier. For more information go to http://www.zumbrovalleyaudubon.org/.

*February 7
CURE's Annual Meeting
Hollywood Theater, Montevideo. For more info contact Patrick Moore 1-877-269-2873.

*February 7
Explore Outdoor Life
Audubon Minnesota, St. Paul Chapter
Harriet Alexander Nature Center, Roseville. Join fellow birders for an outdoor event. For more information go to http://www.saintpaulaudubon.net/Newsletters/CurrentCardinal.pdf

*February 7-8
Cross Country Ski and Winter Camping Weekend
North Star Chapter of the Sierra Club
Mille Lacs Lake. We will walk or ski traveling across Mille Lacs Lake, stopping to camp in the middle. This unusual trip is about as close to an arctic experience as you can get in Minnesota. Because of exposure to wind, this trip is for experienced winter campers. For more information and to RSVP contact outings leader Basil Loney; 651-774-2640 (evenings).

*February 12
History of logging in Minnesota
Audubon Minnesota, St. Paul Chapter
7:00p.m. Fairview Community Center, 1910 West County Road B, Roseville. Bird lovers everywhere are invited to this free Saint Paul Audubon program at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 12 at Fairview Community Center, 1910 West County Road B in Roseville, just west of Fairview Avenue. The event is open to the public, with free parking. Come at 6:45 for the social hour and refreshments.   For more information, call Dan McGuiness at 651-260-6260.

*February 13-16
Great Backyard Bird Count
Audubon Minnesota, Zumbro Valley
Millions of novice and accomplished bird watchers can make their fascination with nature add up for science and for the future during the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), led by Audubon and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.  You can have fun seeing how many different kinds of birds are in your backyard or neighborhood park and, by submitting a report on the GBBC web site (at www.birdcount.org) we can learn more about how our North American birds are doing, and what that says about the health and the future of our environment.  These reports create an exciting real-time picture of where the birds are across the continent and contribute valuable information for science and conservation.  People of all ages and experience levels are invited to take part wherever they are-at home, in schoolyards, at local parks or wildlife refuges, even counting birds on a balcony. Observers count the highest number of each species they see during at least 15 minutes on one or more of the count days and then enter their tallies online. The web site provides helpful hints for identifying birds. Participants can compare results from their town or region with others, as checklists pour in from throughout the U.S. and Canada. They can also view bird photos taken by participants during the count and send in their own digital images for the online photo gallery and contest.  Already, the count results show how the numbers of some birds species have changed in recent years, such as a decline in Northern Pintails and an increase in Hooded Mergansers, consistent with trends from the Christmas Bird Count and Breeding Bird Survey. For more information on how to participate, including identification tips, photos, bird sounds, maps, and information on over 500 bird species, visit www.birdcount.org.

*February 14
Backyard Composting Workshop
Eureka Recycling
2:00p.m. Griggs Recreation Center, 1188 Hubbard Ave, St. Paul. Did you know a typical household in the Twin Cities area throws away about 10 pounds of compostable material every day? Come learn about the environmental benefits of composting and how you can easily reduce waste at home! Backyard composting is easy! A few inexpensive supplies are all you need to set up a compost pile in your own backyard. A backyard compost bin provides a convenient place to get rid of weeds, leaves and other yard waste, as well as organic kitchen scraps. Our backyard composting fact sheet explains how and why to compost, including the different types of bins you can use, how to maintain your compost pile, and how to use the finished compost to benefit your garden.This workshop has tips for maintaining a healthy compost pile no matter what type of composter you are. Please call Eureka Recycling at 651-222-7678 to register or inquire about additional workshop dates. Workshop cost: $5 (a limited number of scholarships are available. Please call for details). Workshop participants will be eligible to purchase a backyard compost bin for $45.

*February 14
Brush Removal at Ottawa Bluffs
The Nature Conservancy
10:00a.m. - 2:00p.m. Ottawa Bluffs, Le Sueur County. Join the Nature Conservancy to help remove brush at the Ottawa Bluffs.. For more information about volunteering, call the Conservancy at 612-331-0762 or email mnvolunteer@tnc.org to sign up for the monthly volunteer e-newsletter.

*February 15
Mississippi River: Winter Eagle Ecology
Audubon Minnesota, St. Paul Chapter
Join fellow birders for an outdoor event. For more information go to http://www.saintpaulaudubon.net/Newsletters/CurrentCardinal.pdf

*February 20
Candlelight Ski, Snowshoe and Skate
Audubon Center of the North Woods
7:00 - 10:00p.m. Sandstone. Join the Audubone Center of the North Woods for an evening of skiing, skating or snowshoeing as well as a bonfire, hot beverages and snacks, but instructions on all your favorite winter activities. For more information go to http://www.audubon-center.org/candlelight.htm

*February 21
2009 Wetlands Summit
Izaak Walton League, MN Division
Normandale Community College, Bloomington. The proposed theme this year is hydrology of the land. Check http://www.minnesotaikes.org/ for more information soon.

*February 21
Dinner on the Lake
Audubon Center of the North Woods
7:00 - 10:00p.m. Sandstone. Join the Audubone Center of the North Woods for a delicious meal, plus a chance to learn more about life in England and Japan. For more information go to http://www.audubon-center.org/dinner.htm

*February 21
Brush Removal at Weaver Dunes
The Nature Conservancy
10:00a.m. - 2:00p.m. Weaver Dunes, Wabasha County, near Kellogg. Join the Nature Conservancy for a day to help the Weaver Dunes. For more information about volunteering, call the Conservancy at 612-331-0762 or email mnvolunteer@tnc.org to sign up for the monthly volunteer e-newsletter.

*February 21
Living Smarter: 13th Annual Roseville Home & Garden Fair
Fairview Community Center, Roseville. Call it building a “sustainable lifestyle.” Explain how our community can do its part for the environment. Say how we can make choices to ensure that our families are healthy and comfortable. For more info www.livingsmarter.org.

*February 21
Winter Birds
Audubon Minnesota, Minnesota River Valley Chapter
2:30p.m. Wilkie Unit, MVNWR. Join fellow birders for a birding event. For more infomation contact Craig Mandel at 952-546-3407.

*February 24
Worm Composting Workshop
Eureka Recycling
6:30p.m. South Saint Anthony Recreation Center, 890 Cromwell Avenue, St. Paul. Worm composting, also known as vermiculture composting, allows you to compost kitchen scraps even if you don't have space for a backyard compost bin. With an indoor worm bin, you can turn your kitchen scraps into a potent natural fertilizer all year long. This workshop has tips for maintaining a healthy worm bin no matter what type of composter you are. Please call Eureka Recycling at 651-222-7678 to register or inquire about additional workshop dates. Workshop cost: $5 (a limited number of scholarships are available. Please call for details). Workshop participants will be eligible to purchase worms and informational materials for $45.

*February 24
Rattlesnakes in Minnesota's Blufflands
Audubon Minnesota, Zumbro Valley
7:00p.m. Quarry Hill Nature Center, 701 Silver Creek Road NE. Join Jaime Edwards, MN DNR Nongame Wildlife Specialist, for an evening learning about the status of timber rattlesnakes in SE Minnesota. The DNR just completed a large scale survey of the snake's historical range in an effort to determine current distribution of this species in Minnesota. Additionally, the DNR just completed a telemetry study comparing rattlesnake behavior on bluff prairies that have had some restoration work versus sites that are overgrown with cedars. Learn about the results of that project along with some other interesting facts about our rattlesnake population. For more information go to http://www.zumbrovalleyaudubon.org/.

*February 28
Brush Removal at Ottawa Bluffs
The Nature Conservancy
10:00a.m. - 2:00p.m. Ottawa Bluffs, Le Sueur County. Join the Nature Conservancy to help remove brush at the Ottawa Bluffs.. For more information about volunteering, call the Conservancy at 612-331-0762 or email mnvolunteer@tnc.org to sign up for the monthly volunteer e-newsletter.

*February 28
Birding Field Trip
Audubon Minnesota, Zumbro Valley
1:00p.m. Wabasha Eagle Center. Wabasha Eagle Center Tour led by Cliff Hansen.  We will car pool to Wabasha to the Eagle Center and spend the afternoon observing and learning about eagles.  While at the Eagle Center we will also partake in the Eagle Feeding and Education Presentations which are offered by the staff.  Everyone is welcome including families, please join us.  We will meet at east Heintz Center parking lot in Rochester to car pool. For more information go to http://www.zumbrovalleyaudubon.org/.

*February 28
Winter Birds
Audubon Minnesota, Minnesota River Valley Chapter
2:30p.m. Wilkie Unit, MVNWR. Join fellow birders for a birding event. For more infomation contact Craig Mandel at 952-546-3407.

Ongoing/Monthly Volunteer Opportunities:

*Friends of the Mississippi River started a project called The Gorge Stewards Project. The Gorge Stewards project aims to bring neighbors together to work toward a common goal of protecting and restoring this amazing resource. Gorge Stewards can sign up to monitor trails on a regular basis, participate in hands-on stewardship activities, or attend educational workshops and trainings. The Gorge Stewards project is focused on the area of the gorge between I-94 and Ford Parkway and serves the Minneapolis neighborhoods of Greater Longfellow, Prospect Park, and Seward, and the Saint Paul neighborhoods of Desnoyer Park, Merriam Park, and Mac-Groveland. Gorge Stewards activities include: Trail monitoring Buckthorn busts Invasive species monitoring Native plantings Prairie seed collections Litter clean-ups Interpretive walks Plant identification Natural history programs Storm drain stenciling Trail work and erosion control Celebration picnics and potlucks. The Gorge Stewards is a great way to get involved with the community and really make a difference for the Mississippi River. All programs are free and open to the public. For more information contact Beth Storey at 651-222-2193 ext 16 or at bstorey@fmr.org

*Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy is in need of a volunteer for some general office assistance, including filing, data entry, and general web-based research. Computer skills will be quite helpful. Interested individuals can contact Joan Wells at 651-223-5969.

*Join monthly Volunteer Days and Nights at the Minnesota Conservation Federation office - help with mailings and other fun stuff. To find out what's on tap, call 651-690-3077 for information.

*Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota has volunteer opportunities ranging from trail-clearing to legislative lobbying to stuffing envelopes. You can work at the statewide level with Parks & Trails Council, or support your favorite park or trail by joining one of the many “friends” groups. Please call the office at 651-726-2457 for more information on volunteering and committees.

*Sierra Club has many volunteer opportunities, including tree planting and office work. They also sponsor outings several times a month. Contact the Sierra Club office at 612-659-9124 or visit www.northstar.sierraclub.org for more information.

* Sierra Club offers speakers to teach others about the dangers of diesel
The Sierra Club North Star Student Group released a comprehensive, exciting curriculum packet with background information on the harms of unnecessary idling of diesel school buses and the new Minnesota state law, discussion topics, and activities for children of all ages to learn more about this issue. To schedule a presentation or for more information, contact Michelle Rosier, Air Toxics Organizer, 612-659-9124.  You can view the curriculum and supplements at www.northstar.sierraclub.org/schoolbus/curriculum.html

*The Nature Conservancy is forming a Grassroots action network called the Minnesota Conservation Action Network (MN CAN). MN CAN will allow members to learn more about the Conservancy's legislative priorities and assist members in communicating with legislators about Conservancy priorities. To join the MN CAN network and support Conservancy initiatives, please send your name, address, and email to info@mncan.org or call 612-331-0762.

*Voyageurs National Park Association would like help to continue to fulfill its mission of protecting Voyageurs National Park. Whatever your area of interest or expertise, VNPA can provide an opportunity for you to help preserve the scenic, educational, recreational, and ecological treasures of Voyageurs for the benefit of people today and generations to come. Do the layout for the newsletter. Contact legislators. Fundraise. Plan events. Write an article. Promote VNPA. Increase membership. Develop partnerships. Provide policy input. Or visit Voyageurs National Park to participate in and help with activities in the Park. VNPA welcomes help from all volunteers. Presently we are especially in need of assistance with: Managing our membership database, Newsletter layout, Newsletter editing, Efforts to increase our membership, Fundraising. you can help in one of these areas or you would like to volunteer in other ways, please contact us.

*Wilderness Inquiry hosts Volunteer Night, the first Wednesday evening of each month at their Minneapolis location. Contact Wilderness Inquiry at 612-676-9400 to save your spot!