Make a meaningful impact and support wetland restoration at Voyageurs National Park at this special volunteer event! Join park crews for a day of wild rice harvesting on Rainy Lake. Staff will provide supplies and harvesting training. Native plants like wild rice help restore areas where previously invasive cattails have been removed. The more seed collected, the more wetland habitats will recover!
Special Considerations: This is a moderately-strenuous volunteer activity. Volunteers should be comfortable in a canoe, traveling in a motorboat, and sitting/kneeling for extended periods of time. The park will provide all supplies and harvesting training, participants just need to bring appropriate clothing (long sleeves and long pants), shoes that can get wet, sun protection, snacks, and water.
Registration & Sign-up
The Wild Rice Harvesting Volunteer Event is limited to 10 participants and registration is required. Click below to sign-up for this event.
If you are having difficulties registering, please email cassandraolson@partner.nps.gov your name(s) and phone number.
Volunteer Event Details:
Date: Saturday, September 18
Time: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Location: Rainy Lake Visitor Center (1797 Township Rd 342, International Falls, MN 56649)
Awards: Fee-free coupons (eligible at any National Park Service, US Forest Service, and partnering agency site)
Wetland Restoration at Voyageurs National Park
From marsh birds to spawning northern pike, wetlands offer a biodiverse habitat for rare wildlife. The National Park Service, Voyageurs Conservancy, and many other partners launched a 10-year plan in 2016 to restore cattail-invaded wetlands. In 2020, the project restored approximately 25 acres of wetlands through the removal of invasive cattails and reseeding efforts. This important project is increasing biodiverse habitats for wild rice, marsh birds, native fish, and more. If you’re passionate about restoring Voyageurs National Park’s precious wetlands, please consider becoming a friend of the park to support these conservation initiatives.
