Want to help the environment locally? You’re in luck.

University of Minnesota Extension Master Naturalist Program, in partnership with the Friends of Indian Heights, invites area residents to participate in National Public Lands Day on Sept. 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Volunteers at Indian Heights Park—found at Terracewood Drive NW in Rochester—will help cut and treat invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle.

National Public Lands Day is the largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands. Since 2012, the Minnesota Master Naturalist Program facilitated the effort at sites statewide. More than 1,000 volunteers assisted with the removal of invasive species, planted pollinator gardens and protected newly planted trees among other projects with over 5,000 service hours.

Volunteers are encouraged to register before Sept. 7 to receive a Master Naturalist NPLD 2019 t-shirt.

Registration closes on Sept. 18.This upcoming year, the MN Master Naturalist Program encouraged residents to join the tradition of stewardship through service at one of 19 locations in Minnesota, including Indian Heights Park in Rochester.

For those interested, registration can be accessed at https://z.umn.edu/IndianHeights.