Saturday, September 27, 2014 volunteer event to kickoff new venture aimed at improving lake water quality and views in Alimagnet Park in Apple Valley.
Saturday, September 27, 2014 volunteer event to kickoff new venture aimed at improving lake water quality and views in Alimagnet Park in Apple Valley.
The City of Apple Valley and Great River Greening have entered into a partnership to restore 20 acres in Alimagnet Park that should help with the water quality in Lake Alimagnet.
The restoration plans call for tree removal to allow for more sunlight for grasses and flowers, to slow runoff from the hillsides that surround the lake. Great River Greening will bring in community volunteers to help with this long-term project, beginning with an event, this fall, involving 150 volunteers who will stacking cut woody invasive species and seeding native plants. This event is free and open to the public of ages and skills. Registration is required.
WHAT: Volunteer stacking cut woody invasive species and Seeding native plants
WHEN: Saturday, September 27, 8:30am-12:30pm
WHERE: Alimagnet Park, Apple Valley, MN
REGISTER: greatrivergreening.org
Why remove trees?
Until about 100 years ago, Alimagnet Park was predominately oak savannah, landscape that provides both beneficial sunlight and shade to an area. Excessive tree growth occurred as its use changed from farming and grazing to recreation and the deepening shade has destroyed the ground layer plants– grasses, sedges and wild flowers. Bare soil on the hillside is inviting to more shade plants, like buckthorn and garlic mustard, and allows for too much runoff to the waters in below. Over time, this has impaired the quality of Alimagnet Lake.
Said Great River Greening ecologist, Steve Thomforde: Our goal for Alimagnet Park is to make this site less inviting to buckthorn, garlic mustard, and other low quality species. By opening the site up, we mimic what the park would have looked like if grazing and fire hadn’t been eliminated 60 years ago. This work is designed to release native wildflowers and shrubs and make Alimagnet more beautiful and pleasant for plant diversity, wildlife and people.
About the fall volunteer event
Volunteers will drag and stack precut trees and seed cleared areas in an attempt to rejuvenate wildflower populations. Lunch is provided
Register online at greatrivergreening.org/vol-events/ Or contact Jen Kader, Volunteer and Outreach Manager 651.665.9500 x11 jkader@greatrivergreening.org
This project is made possible with support from the City of Apple Valley and the
Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Fund.
About Great River Greening
Great River Greening is a local conservation nonprofit that inspires, engages and leads communities in conserving and caring for the land and water that enrich our lives. We work side-by-side with 33,000 volunteers to improve, restore and care for Minnesota’s natural heritage—12,000 acres and counting. Our experienced, committed ecologists apply state-of-the-art practices to restoration projects, sharing skill and knowledge with landowners, volunteers, students and at-risk youth. We also help the next generation discover opportunities in environmental science with a confidence and connection to the world. Through active participation and learning by doing, volunteers become advocates with a deep connection to the land and water.