Welcome! This is the landing page for our forest restoration projects. 

Our current focus is on the management of  Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) and the preservations Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) in the local parks.

There is a forest of buckthorn in the parks of Moorhead and the surrounding lands — but that is a young forest, barely 100 years old. Buckthorn was brought over from Europe and used extensively as hedgerows. The native Bur Oaks have been here since the end of the last ice age. Some these oak trees in our parks are up to 250 years old, but it is rare to find young oaks. Buckthorn strangles the understory of light and nutrients. It is invasive species that releases toxins in the soil to deter competitors, and spreads seeds prolifically which can germinate at any point over 5-6 years. 

Our project involves the targeted removal of buckthorn, the protection of oak saplings, and the annual saving of acorns from our oak elders for local propagation.

Visit this page regularly to see our upcoming event schedule.