Buckthorn Removal – Greater Kasota Ponds Area
Volunteer removal days, native planting, and wetland education – led by the SAPCC Environment Committee
Expected sites • Google Maps
1) Kasota Ponds Cleanup site (NAPA Auto Parts, 2530 Kasota Ave, St Paul, MN 55108)
2) Additional nearby site(s) in the Greater Kasota Ponds Area (posted here as dates are finalized)
Questions? Email info@sapcc.org.
Mark Your Calendars – Keep Checking Back as May Approaches
This page is the home base for buckthorn removal dates and volunteer sign-ups. We will post confirmed May dates here as they are finalized.
More information coming soon. Final work areas and meeting points will be confirmed closer to the workdays so we can stay flexible based on site conditions, safety needs, and volunteer interest.
Primary meeting point is often the Kasota Ponds Cleanup site – additional meeting points may be used depending on the day.
Upcoming Dates
Buckthorn removal day 1: Date TBD | Time TBD
Meeting point: Kasota Ponds Cleanup site (NAPA) or another nearby site (posted here). Focus area details and sign-up link will be posted here.
Buckthorn removal day 2: Date TBD | Time TBD
Meeting point: Kasota Ponds Cleanup site (NAPA) or another nearby site (posted here). Focus area details and sign-up link will be posted here.
Optional extra day: Date TBD | Time TBD
Scheduled if we need more time to complete a section or if volunteer interest is high.
We typically also host a fall buckthorn workday too (often September). That date will be posted here as well.
What to Expect on a Buckthorn Workday
- We meet at the posted meeting point
- We review safety guidance and demonstrate the removal method
- Volunteers work in teams to cut and manage regrowth as directed by site leads
- We share short education notes – what buckthorn is, why it matters, and what happens next
Where We’re Working – Sites may vary by date
Site 1 – Kasota Ponds (off Highway 280)
For over two decades, volunteers have helped care for the Kasota Ponds wetland area, which faces ongoing dumping, runoff, and invasive pressure. Buckthorn removal happens one section at a time, starting with visible and accessible areas and expanding as follow-up cycles continue.
Site 2 – SAPCC Property Along Robbins Street
SAPCC-owned land where volunteers have piloted a repeated cutting approach in recent seasons. This site also supports neighbor-to-neighbor learning for buckthorn identification and long-term control.
We may also work in additional nearby restoration areas within the Greater Kasota Ponds Area, including sections near the SAP Community Garden, depending on seasonal priorities and access.
What’s With the Orange Tape?
We use a repeated cutting approach (often described as “critical period cutting”). Tape marks shrubs that are part of the cutting cycle so volunteers can return during key growth periods and remove re-growth until the plant dies. This approach works best when paired with native seeding and planting so restored areas are less likely to be reinvaded.
Safety Note – Work Near the Railway
Some work areas near Kasota Ponds are adjacent to Minnesota Commercial Railway. A flagman may be required during volunteer days in those sections for safety and coordination.
About the MWMO Grant
This work is supported by a Stewardship Fund Community Grant from Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO). The grant helps the SAPCC Environment Committee sustain and expand stewardship at Kasota Ponds and nearby areas by combining volunteer workdays with habitat restoration and public education.
The project focuses on buckthorn control using a repeated cutting approach over multiple seasons, followed by native seeding and planting so restored areas are less likely to be reinvaded.
What the grant makes possible
MWMO support helps cover practical needs that allow volunteers to do the work safely and effectively – including restoration materials (native seed and plants), educational outreach (printed materials and signage), basic logistics for managing cut buckthorn, and site safety requirements when work occurs near the railway.
Education – what we’re sharing through this project
Education is a core part of this grant. We use volunteer events, on-site signage, and this page to share practical information about buckthorn, wetlands, and how neighbors can protect local water bodies.
- How to identify buckthorn and why it harms native habitat
- What repeated cutting means and why follow-up visits matter
- Why native seed and plants matter after removal (to reduce re-growth and re-invasion)
- How wetlands and watersheds function – and why native vegetation supports water quality
- Simple prevention steps – clean footwear, stay on paths, and never dump yard waste in natural areas
Project Timeline
This is a multi-season effort. Buckthorn control requires returning during key growth periods, paired with restoration planting to reduce re-invasion. Project activities are planned across 2026 and 2027.
- Spring 2026: Volunteer workdays begin (late May / early June)
- Fall 2026: Follow-up cutting and early restoration as appropriate
- 2027: Continued cutting cycle and expanded native planting
Volunteer Sign-Ups
Sign-up links will be posted here as soon as dates are confirmed.
Buckthorn day 1 sign-up (TBD) →
Buckthorn day 2 sign-up (TBD) →
Optional extra day sign-up (TBD) →
Want an email when dates go live? Email info@sapcc.org with subject line “Buckthorn Volunteer Updates”.
Related Resources
Optional reading for neighbors who want to go deeper.
Buckthorn Removal FAQ
A quick guide to the “critical period cutting” approach we use during volunteer buckthorn days in the Greater Kasota Ponds Area.
What is “critical period cutting”?
It’s a volunteer-friendly, herbicide-free approach that uses timing to weaken buckthorn. Instead of cutting once and walking away, we return during key growth periods to remove new growth and exhaust the plant’s stored energy over time.
Why not just cut it once?
Buckthorn is resilient and typically re-sprouts after a single cut. Repeated cutting and stripping at the right times prevents the plant from rebuilding its reserves, which is what ultimately leads to decline.
What does the timeline look like?
- Late May / Early June: Cut and strip the main stem once fully leafed out.
- Mid-September: Return and remove new growth (re-strip).
- Following Spring: Repeat stripping after leaf-out.
- Following Fall: Final re-strip to fully exhaust the plant.
Timing can vary by site and weather. If a plant is still alive, we continue follow-up work.
What’s with the tape?
Tape marks plants that are part of the cutting cycle. It helps volunteers and leaders quickly identify which stems are scheduled for follow-up stripping later in the season.
What happens after removal?
Removing buckthorn is only half the work. We follow up with native seeding and planting to restore habitat, improve soil stability, and reduce future invasion.
What should volunteers bring?
Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Gloves and basic tools are typically provided. Eye protection is recommended. Insect and tick repellent is optional.