What You’ll Help Do:
Maintain habitat diversity and ecosystem quality along Riverland Conservancy-owned Merrimac Preserve. This property, which hosts the Ice Age Trail, boasts acres of springtime lupine. Removing invasive brush from the prairie helps maintain the sea of purple flowers. Provided there is adequate snow cover, we’ll burn the brush piles, too.

Schedule: 
Join us from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Friday, December 6. 

All Talents and Abilities Welcome!
We need brush haulers and trained swampers (volunteers who create brush piles) and brush-cutters. NPS certified sawyers are welcome and encouraged to bring their own chainsaw and PPE.

However, no experience is necessary and there’s a role for volunteers of all ages and abilities. Friendly staff and certified volunteer crew leaders will provide hands-on training to get you started right away.

Registration:
To help us plan this event with your needs in mind, please register by Monday, December 2, 2024.

Limit: 50 volunteers.

Parking and Volunteer Check-In

• Registrants will receive a confirmation email a day or two ahead of the project, containing parking and check-in details.
• There is no overnight camping or base camp for this project.

What to Bring

• Lunch and a water bottle(s) and a thermos filled with a warm beverage.
• Winter-appropriate footwear. If snowy/icy, consider snowshoes and ice cleats (Micro Spikes, Yak Traks, etc.) for secure footing.
• A plastic sled and/or backpack for hauling gear may prove helpful.
• Appropriate ‘near-fire’ clothing (no synthetics – leave that fancy coat at home).
• Clothing to dress in layers (for warmth and to keep dry).
• A daypack, sunscreen, and leather gloves.
• NPS certified sawyers are welcome and encouraged to bring your own saw and PPE.

Questions?
Please contact Steve Pence, Land Restoration Specialist, by emailing: Steve@iceagetrail.org

We hope to see you soon!

Happy Trails,

The Merrimac Preserve Project Team