Outdoors Question of the Week

Volunteer opportunities vary across the state from assisting with wildlife research to cleaning rivers to playing Smokey Bear at the State Fair - just to name a few. Right now the DNR is looking for volunteers to help count loons, search for rare wildflowers, catch and identify dragonflies, conduct nighttime listening surveys of frogs and toads, monitor bluebird trails and plant trees at selected State Parks, cut back brush on state trails, spread mulch and plant native vegetation as part of a shoreland restoration project, and help high school students build wood duck and kestrel nest boxes.

 All volunteer positions can be found on the DNR website at www.dnr.state.mn.us by clicking on the word “Volunteering” or by calling the DNR Information Center at (651) 296-6157 or toll free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367). Children under 16 years of age must have adult supervision to volunteer. Opportunities are changed on a seasonal basis.

- Renee Vail, DNR Volunteer Programs administrator