Restore Saint Paul: 2012 Accomplishments

Thursday, December 27, 2012

2012 Accomplishments

Post contributed by Saint Paul Parks Natural Resources staff:

2012 was a very successful year filled with a lot of hard work, fun volunteer events, and many improvements to our Saint Paul's natural areas!

With the help of our committed partner organizations, community volunteers, grantors and sponsors, Saint Paul Parks Natural Resources was able to accomplish a great deal this year. Below you will find a summary of our 2012 accomplishments.

Logged 11,282 volunteer hours (4342 volunteers), equivalent to 5.42 full-time employees.

In coordination with partnering organizations, Environmental Services administered approximately $960,084 in grants and donations, including $60,000 of in-kind professional labor to maintain natural areas in Saint Paul.

Provided employment and education for 25 Youth Job Corps members in the Eco-Ranger program curriculum and directed another 60 youth in the Youth Outdoors program, in partnership with the Conservation Corps Minnesota.

Planted approximately 7,300 trees and shrubs, 20,000 native grasses and flowers and 68,000 floodplain tree seeds.

Installed approximately 1 mile of nature trails at Highwood Nature Preserve and Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom.

A special thank you to our partner organizations: Great River Greening, Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, Lower Phalen Creek Project, Community Design Center, Conservation Corps Minnesota, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom Advisory Committee, REI, Hands on Twin Cities, and Saint Paul Parks Conservancy

Many of the projects completed within Saint Paul's natural areas this year would not have been possible without the funding and donations provided by the following grantors: Conservation Partners Legacy, Saint Paul Garden Club, Ramsey Conservation District, Capitol Region Watershed District, Saint Paul Foundation, Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, Urban Bird Treaty, Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, Clean Water Legacy, Friends of the Mississippi River, Xcel Foundation, Saint Paul Conservancy, REI, and Met Council.

Contributing Authors

Saint Paul Parks and Recreation--Natural Resources Division:

It would be impossible for us to maintain and improve Saint Paul's natural areas to the high standards that we are used to without the coordinated efforts of our many partner organizations and volunteers. In addition to Saint Paul's Natural Resources employees, the following groups will be contributing to the content of this blog as they work hard to keep Saint Paul "the most livable city in America."

Conservation Corps of Minnesota:

The Conservation Corps provides meaningful work for young people in conserving energy, managing natural resources, responding to disasters and leading volunteers. Not only do they provide training in resource management, safety, job-readiness and technical skills, they help young people develop personal responsibility, a strong work ethic and greater awareness of environmental stewardship. CCM has been a valuable partner in maintaining Saint Paul Parks natural areas for years.

Eco Ranger Acadamy:

The Environmental Services EcoRanger Academy is an educational summer job program for youth interested in plants, wildlife and the natural environment. Youth work throughout the City in forests, lakes and prairies on restoration projects. They perform tasks such as invasive species removal, planting and mulching. The program covers plant anatomy and identification, trees, entomology, water, soils and ecology. Youth that successfully complete the summer program graduate with a certificate and references from their crew leaders.