SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA
Protect our water & land, one event at a time.
Volunteer Corps connects people and organizations with hands-on restoration and conservation work — invasive species removal, native plantings, seed collection, and our signature Watershed-Wide Cleanup.
Our Partners
WHAT YOU’LL DO
Five Ways To Take Action.
Each event is unique, hands-on experience.
Invasive Species Removal
Intense, hands-on, and immediately rewarding. Work in teams with loppers and weed wrenches to cut, pull, and drag dense invasive shrubs — and watch natural areas transform before your eyes.
PHYSICAL & REWARDING
Past sites: St. Olaf Natural Lands, Prairie Creek WMA, River Bend Nature Center, and Nerstrand Big Woods State Park.
Native Species Planting
Broadcasting seed mixes and hand-planting across open terrain. A peaceful, productive change of pace that builds biodiversity and improves water quality with every seed that takes root.
OUTDOOR & ACTIVE
Past sites: Sunktokeca Creek WMA and Medford WMA
Native Seed Collection
Walk through natural areas identifying, picking, and cleaning seeds from wildflowers, grasses, and shrubs. A tranquil, meditative experience that directly restores local ecosystems.
PEACEFUL & MEDITATIVE
We collected native seeds with Sharing Our Roots in fall 2025
Tree Planting
Dig, carry saplings, and mulch for a full day of productive outdoor work. An uplifting mix of physical challenge, community camaraderie, and lasting environmental impact you can point to for decades.
ACTIVE & UPLIFTING
Past sites: Nerstrand Big Woods State Park and the Organic Compound farm
Watershed-Wide Cleanup
Since 2009, our flagship event has brought together community members to clean area parks, rivers, and lakes throughout southeast Minnesota, removing litter like car seats, tires, lawn chairs, food wrappers, and clothing, and making an immediate, visible difference in the places we love.
COMMUNITY-WIDE
Past communities: Red Wing, Cannon Falls, Northfield, Faribault, Owatonna, Medford, and more.
GETTING STARTED
How it works.
From signing up to showing up, it’s that simple.
1
Sign up for emails.
Fill out the form to join our mailing list. No commitment required — just your email.
2
Get invited.
Each time a Volunteer Corps event comes up, we'll send you a personal invitation.
3
Choose your event.
Pick the events that fit your schedule and interests. Come to one or come to many.
4
Show up & act.
Meet your team, get to work, and leave knowing you made a real difference.
HEAR IT FROM THE SOURCE
What People Are Saying
“We heard birds, many different varieties, and I got to see a lot of native plants that I haven’t seen in a long time. So it was a good experience. It was easy, good training, well organized, and I’ll do this again!
“I think it was good to pick up the litter and help the ecosystem thrive. I feel like I helped the wildlife around the areas and I made it a more hospitable place to live.”
“It felt good to be out in nature, having good conversations with others, and help the environment at the same time.”
FOR ORGANIZATIONS
Want to host a volunteer event?
We partner with local organizations to bring volunteers to restoration and conservation projects across southeast Minnesota. If you have land, a project, or a vision, get in touch and we'll see what we can make possible.
VOLUNTEER RESOURCE
Volunteer Handbook
Everything you need to know before your first event: what to wear, what to bring, what to expect, and how to stay safe while doing meaningful work outdoors.
READY TO GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY?
Join the Volunteer Corps
Sign up for our mailing list and we'll invite you to upcoming events throughout the spring, summer, and fall season. No experience needed. Just show up.
Questions?
Contact Lauren Borer (she/her)
Community Engagement Manager
lauren@cleanriverpartners.org
(507) 200-1170
Our Funders
