National Public Lands Day: Buckthorn Lopping at Crosby Farm!

Join us for a fun morning restoring your local national park! Work alongside the National Park Service and Mississippi Park Connection to help us improve the health and quality of the Mississippi National River and Recreation through a morning of buckthorn lopping along the Mississippi River. 

Buckthorn is a woody plant that outcompetes native plants for access to sunlight, water, and nutrients. We need your help clearing buckthorn from the floodplain forest at Crosby Farm Regional Park as a first step in ongoing restoration efforts to increase species diversity and improve habitat for the wildlife that depends on it for food and shelter.

No previous experience is necessary. All tools, supplies and training will be provided.

All volunteers ages 16 and older will receive a "Fee-Free Coupon", granting them a free one-day pass to participating federal public land sites! 

Schedule:

• 8:45 -9 am : Registration and refreshments
• 9 - 9:30 am: Welcome, project overview, and buckthorn removal demonstration
• 9:30 - 12 pm: Buckthorn lopping!

Terrain: Activities will take place a short walk along a paved trailed. Buckthorn removal will take place in a wooded area with some sloping and/or uneven terrain.  

Minimum Qualifications

• We recommend that volunteers be at least 12 years old to fully engage with this event. Volunteers must be 16 years or older to participate without an adult present.
• Activities may involve walking on uneven terrain, standing for extended periods of time, and stepping over logs/fallen branches. 
• The event will be entirely outside. Please prep and plan for the day's weather conditions.

Learn more and register here: 2026 NPLD Registration!