Garlic Mustard Removal at Spring Lake Park Reserve

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General Description

Help us bust invasive species in our parks. Garlic Mustard is an invasive species brought over from Europe that outcompetes our native wildflowers and tree seedlings that various native species rely on for food and shelter. It's a biennial which means it completes its life cycle in 2 years. Volunteers pull the second year plants prior to or during flowering. The flowering plants must be bagged up and disposed of, as the plants can still produce seed even after being pulled!

Following a brief training, you'll work alongside Dakota County staff and other volunteers to hone your skills and prepare for the Garlic Mustard Challenge. Following this training, you're encouraged to take the Garlic Mustard Challenge - commit to spending an additional 8 hours pulling Garlic Mustard in one of our three local parks*. Fun prizes await those who complete the challenge.

Location/Date/Time

Camp Spring Lake Retreat Center

13690 Pine Bend Trails

Rosemount, MN 55068

May 7: 6:00 - 8:00 PM

*Three locations will be hosting Garlic Mustard Challenges - Two more locations will be Lake Bysllesby Regional Park near Cannon Falls and Lebanon Hills Regional Park near Eagan. Feel free to join more than one group to expand your hours and increase our restoration efforts.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Learn how to safely and effectively remove this invasive species
• Work with a team to remove Garlic Mustard from predetermined sections of the park
• Remove pulled plants safely from the work sites

Minimum Qualifications

• Able to attend the full event
• Must be able to walk on uneven terrain and stand for extended periods of time
• Must be OK with getting a little dirty and being outside in nature
• Fun for the whole family and all age groups
• If you would like to volunteer as a group (families not included), please contact our Volunteer Coordinator before registering

Minimum Time Commitment

2 hours

Activity Level

Easy - May include light work or walking short distances over relatively level terrain. Comfortable shoes recommended.

Required Training

Training will be offered at the start of this event.

Contact Information

Garrett Zaffke | Community Relations and Volunteer Services Coordinator

Dakota County Communications

1590 Highway 55| Hastings, MN 55033

Direct: (651) 438-4635 | Fax: (651) 438-4405 | Email: garrett.zaffke@co.dakota.mn.us