Help Wild River State Park improve wildlife habitat by establishing scattered oak and jack pine trees across a prairie restoration project area in the park. Meet at Wild Riverís trail center at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 23 for this annual naturalist program and service project.

Take advantage of your visit to the park by doing some hiking, birdwatching, or other outdoor recreation before or after the planting program. Admission to Wild River State Park requires a current Minnesota State Park vehicle permit on each vehicle entering the park. Permits are available at the park office as you enter the park. A permit for the day costs $7, or you can purchase a 12-month permit good in all 72 Minnesota state parks for $25.

Surveyorsí notes from the 1850s describe ìpoor quality scattered oak timberî or ìoak and pine barrensî on much of the land that is now in Wild River State Park. The combination of scattered trees surrounded by prairie grasses and wildflowers was important nesting habitat for many birds that are rarely seen now. You can make a contribution of time in recognition of Earth Day and Arbor day and help bring back the wildlife-rich oak savanna and pine barrens habitat of the 1800s. The park will supply locally-collected acorns and jack pine seeds, instructions, and background information. No digging or bending - just press acorns into the soil with your toe or scatter pine seeds and press them into the soil by stepping on them.

Dress appropriately for whatever the weather brings us that day. Wear clothing and shoes suitable for walking across bumpy, grassy fields.

Also plan ahead for another day outdoors in May. Wild River State Parkís annual ìSeegwan - A Celebration of Spring,î sponsored by Friends of Wild River State Park, is set for Saturday, May 21. This all-day event starts with a bird hike at 7:30 a.m. and ends with a special guest presentation from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. Also featured are service learning programs in the afternoon to help the park plant some of the $41,000 worth of prairie wildflower and grass seed that volunteers collected in 2004, a native plant sale to help you get started on a wildflower garden or butterfly garden by your home, and a variety of other activities and exhibits.

For more information about naturalist programs, education opportunities, and service learning projects at Wild River State Park, contact park naturalist Dave Crawford at (651) 583-2925, or email dave.crawford@dnr.state.mn.us.

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