- Home
- Living Here
- Volunteer
- Parks & Natural Resources
Natural Resources
Help us Preserve Native Prairies
This fall, we’re teaming up with volunteers of all ages to collect prairie seeds and plant native flowers and grasses in Burnsville parks. It’s a hands-on way to learn, connect with neighbors and leave a lasting mark on our community.
- Everyone is welcome, no experience with seed collecting or native plants is necessary.
- Activity level: Moderate-
Traveling off trail, standing and walking on uneven ground is expected. - City staff will provide gloves, glasses and seed collection training. Feel free to bring your favorite garden gloves and a water bottle.
- Once registered, be on the look out for an email with Parking details and weather updates no later than 24 hours before the event.
Seed collection
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, Sept. 11 | 5 - 6:30 p.m. | Terrace Oaks West |
| Thursday, Oct. 2 | 5 - 6:30 p.m. | Terrace Oaks West |
| Saturday, Oct. 4 | 9 - 10:30 p.m. | Alimagnet Park |
| Monday, Oct. 6 | 5 - 6:30 p.m. | Civic Center Prairie |
Register to help with seed collection
Planting Event
Saturday, Oct. 11
9 -11 a.m.
Terrace Oaks West
Invasive species, like garlic mustard and common buckthorn, are causing problems in our natural areas. They choke out native trees, eliminate wildflowers and cause soil erosion. We’re working on invasive species control, but volunteers are needed to help with the long-term management of the many restoration sites. We’re looking for volunteers to help cut and treat small buckthorn and monitor and pull garlic mustard from your designated site.
Qualifications
- Ability to control smaller buckthorn
- Ability to safely use hand tools (saw, loppers, weed wrench)
- Ability to treat the stump with herbicide and leave the cut buckthorn on the ground to naturally decompose
- Commit to adopting an area for at least two years
- Commit to a minimum of one workday in the spring and two workdays in the fall
Time Commitment
Own pace/Time commitment
Apply now to Adopt-a-Woodlot!
Storm drains located on our roadways, drain directly to local ponds, rivers and lakes without any pre-treatment. When hazardous materials are dumped down storm drains or residents use poor yard care practices, it contributes to local pollution. Storm drain stenciling helps educate, through painted stencils next to drains. Volunteers also hand out door hangers in the area they work that explains the project and how to dispose of hazardous waste properly.
Qualifications
- Stenciling can be done as an individual, family, or group
- Kids under 16 must be accompanied by an adult
- A request form should be submitted at least two weeks prior to when you would like to stencil
Time Commitment
Stenciling can be scheduled between June 1 – September 30
Submit a project request form
Help us keep our streets clean! Let us know you’re interested and we’ll work with you to select a great spot. Streets residential in nature and those which are routinely cleaned by adjoining property owners are not eligible.
Qualifications
- Group representative must sign an agreement on behalf of your entire group. All participants must review the safety information before every pickup
- Participants ages 12 – 17 must have adequate adult supervision
- Groups shall arrange pickup dates in advance with our Public Works team. Work may not be allowed on or near holidays
- Groups shall leave filled trash bags along the roadside
Time Commitment
Two years, pick up three times a year
Adopt-a-Street Terms and Conditions (PDF)
Interested in adopting a street? Give our engineering team a call at 952-895-4463
Volunteers in the Metropolitan Council's Citizen-Assisted Monitoring Program (CAMP) monitor eight Burnsville lakes, including Crystal, Keller, Lac Lavon, Alimagnet, Sunset Pond, South Twin, Earley and Wood Pond. Volunteers collect water samples and information like water clarity and temperature.
Find more program information and how to get involved on CAMP’s website.
Dakota County's Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP) is made up of volunteers who visit local wetlands to gather data about the plants and critters that live there. Volunteers work as a group and are trained on all the steps.
Visit the WHEP website to learn how you can become part of the Burnsville WHEP team.