MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. | Volunteers will gather at William Berry Woods on Saturday, Sept. 26, for a morning of invasive plant removal as part of National Public Lands Day.
The Buckthorn Pull is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon at William Berry Park, located at 3810 Richfield Road in Minneapolis. The event is organized with local park stewards and Minnesota Master Naturalist volunteers.
Local Effort Targets Invasive Buckthorn
The volunteer project will focus on removing buckthorn, an invasive plant that can crowd out native vegetation and alter woodland habitats.
Participants will work in William Berry Woods during the three-hour stewardship event. Organizers are asking volunteers to wear gloves and eye protection and bring drinking water. Loppers and pruners are encouraged, although tools will be available for people who do not have them.
Event Marks National Public Lands Day
The cleanup falls on National Public Lands Day, observed nationally on the fourth Saturday of September.
Minnesota Master Naturalist describes the 2026 observance as a statewide day of service, with volunteers taking part in projects intended to improve public lands and natural areas.
The William Berry Woods project gives Minneapolis residents a chance to participate in that broader effort through hands-on habitat restoration.
Registration Required for Volunteers
Friends and family members are welcome to participate, but registration is required. The Minnesota Master Naturalist listing says registration without a T-shirt closes Sept. 18, while registration by Sept. 4 was required for participants who wanted to receive the event T-shirt.
The listing showed 10 of 20 available spots taken when it was last crawled, indicating that space for participants is limited.
William Berry Park Hosts Environmental Stewardship
The Buckthorn Pull is one of several environmental volunteer projects scheduled around Minneapolis on Sept. 26.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board calendar also lists invasive plant and habitat stewardship activities at other city locations that day, including Loring Park Pond and Father Hennepin Bluff.
For William Berry Woods, the event provides a focused opportunity for volunteers to work directly on invasive species removal while contributing to a larger national public-lands effort.
Event Details
The Buckthorn Pull is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, from 9 a.m. to noon at William Berry Park, 3810 Richfield Road, Minneapolis. Volunteers should bring water and are encouraged to bring loppers or pruners if available. Gloves and eye protection are recommended, while additional tools will be available at the site.