Members of our Conservation Crew have been busy getting their hands dirty for a great cause! Recently, the crew learned the essential skills of soil preparation and seed starting with the expert guidance of the United Prairie Foundation. 

Using seeds harvested this past fall, the team has successfully started new growth in seed trays. Here is what is happening next in our restoration journey: 

• Under the Lights: The trays are currently nestled under classroom grow lights to ensure they get the "sunshine" they need to sprout.

• Next Steps: Once the seedlings are strong enough—expected in about two weeks—they will be transplanted into slightly larger containers to continue their growth.

• The Big Day: Near the end of May, these plants will finally make their way into the ground as a key part of our ongoing prairie restoration project. 

A huge thank you to the United Prairie Foundation for helping our crew grow the next generation of native prairie plants!

The DGF Conservation Crew has been hard at work preparing for spring growth! This January 2026, the Crew met with Patrice Delaney, Senior Biologist from the United Prairie Foundation, to master the art of cold stratification. 

The Crew is applying this process to native prairie seeds harvested by our 5th graders this past fall. By mimicking natural winter conditions through controlled moisture and cold, this vital step "wakes up" the seeds, ensuring they are ready to germinate and thrive when they hit the soil in the spring. 

For a deeper dive into the cold stratification process and to see how our 5th graders' hard work is paying off, head on over to the Crew page [HERE].

The DGF Conservation Crew, in collaboration with Conservation Minnesota, is an extracurricular program tailored to each school’s unique needs. Students build leadership skills by designing and implementing conservation projects that make a positive impact on their schools and communities.

This year, the DGF Student Conservation Crew is helping advance our Prairie Restoration and Outdoor Classroom initiatives through this Conservation Crew program. To showcase and celebrate their efforts, we’ve added a new student-led webpage to this site, featuring student-created content and project updates.