Species360 Volunteers: Preserving Natural Habitats

In mid-July, more than 25 staff removed truckloads of invasive plants to make way for native flora and fauna.

Species360 Staff Volunteer Day / National Wildlife Refuge / MN River Valley

As part of environmental initiatives led by our Green Team, more than 25 members of the Species360 staff dug in to clear invasive plants from the 14,000-acre Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

Located near a major international airport, freeways, and urban areas, the park is critical to sustaining populations of native and migratory birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Like national parks worldwide, this refuge also relies heavily on volunteers for the labor needed to preserve and protect the land.

Jim Guenter, CEO, Species360, Sarah Inouye-Leas, Volunteer Coordinator, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, and Erika Fronk, Member Support and Green Team Lead, Species360

“This is a great way to make a difference, especially for countless animal species that refuel here during migration or reside year-round,” said Erika Fronk, Species360 Member Support and Green Team Lead.

In all, the team contributed more than 75 work hours, adding to a similar effort completed at the same location in 2018.