Friends of Eden Prairie Parks celebrates growth at annual meeting

People are pitching in to help preserve and enhance Eden Prairie’s natural spaces, according to figures announced March 5 at the annual meeting of Friends of Eden Prairie Parks (FEPP).

The non-profit, founded by Glenn Olson in 2023, saw a 164% increase last year in volunteers. The meeting, attended by local volunteers, community members and city officials, focused on that growth and fut goals.

Bridget Byer, president of FEPP, emphasized the organization’s mission to “improve and maintain the biodiversity and enhance the ecosystems within our natural spaces” and highlighted the importance of community stewardship and volunteer engagement.

FEPP growth by the numbers

FEPP grew across several areas in 2024, according to Byer. The increase in volunteers reflects a surge in participation in hands-on conservation efforts. Subscribers to FEPP’s newsletter rose 190%, she said, and volunteer hours increased 266% from 2023 to 2024, totaling more than 365 hours. This is “equivalent to one volunteer hour a day,” Byer noted. The number of restoration events also jumped, with FEPP hosting more than 40 in 2024, up from nine in 2023.

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FEPP’s growth was attributed to a strong partnership with the city and the efforts of FEPP’s park stewards, volunteers who dedicate time and energy to specific parks or conservation areas. Byer lauded the park stewards as “boots on the ground folks that are in the park or conservation area that they are invested in,” on a nearly daily basis. FEPP has 19 park stewards, said Byer, and wants to add more.

Karli Wittner, the city’s forestry and natural resources supervisor, gave a presentation during the meeting and noted that 44% of Eden Prairie’s land is designated for parks and open spaces.

Buckthorn and beyond: Looking ahead in 2025

Byer said FEPP’s goals for 2025 center on continued restoration efforts and increased community engagement. The organization will continue to focus on restoration events, increasing the number of volunteers, removing invasive species, planting native species, and harvesting native plant seeds. Continued buckthorn removal remains a major goal, she added.

Community outreach and engagement strategies to increase overall volunteer participation are also a priority. As Byer noted, “We would love to see more people out in the parks, helping us out at some of these events.” The goal for 2025 is to increase the number of volunteers to 100, she added.

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To support these goals, FEPP is formalizing a new role, the “event lead,” who will provide opportunities for individuals to host events.

FEPP’s success is also rooted in its strong partnership with the city. A memorandum of understanding signed in 2024 has fostered “open trust and communication,” enabling collaborative efforts in natural resource management, according to Byer. The organization also acknowledged the support from local businesses, organizations and individual contributors, including donations from Great Southern Bank, Eden Prairie Local News and an Eden Prairie Community Foundation grant, which have been instrumental in expanding FEPP’s outreach and impact.

As the spring season for the invasive garlic mustard plant approaches, FEPP is seeking volunteers to help remove it, Byer said. 

“If you came for just one event and pulled garlic mustard, your time is incredibly valuable and greatly appreciated,” she said.

People interested in joining the group can email friendsofepparks@gmail.com. To donate, visit epcommunityfoundation.org and click “Donate.” Select the Friends of Eden Prairie Parks Fund. Checks can be made out to the Eden Prairie Community Foundation, with “Friends of Eden Prairie Parks” in the memo line, and mailed to: Eden Prairie Community Foundation, 8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344.