Who We Are
Through a collaborative partnership led by the Open Space Council, the Community Stewardship Alliance (CSA) is an exciting new conservation program intended to provide focused, trained volunteer leadership to restore and maintain the natural areas within the park. St. Vincent's Site Ambassadors, Chris and Lynn, are the local conservation leaders for this park. Their stewardship team members support their efforts by helping plan and organize volunteer days and engaging other community members to invest in their neighborhood. Join us for an event, meet our site ambassadors, and learn more about how you can become part of the team!
St. Vincent is a 134-acre park in North St. Louis County with upland woodland, marsh wetland, a perennial stream, and successional woodland. Historically, the park is located in what was the prairie belt of St. Louis County, but none of the historical landscape remains due to the various uses the land has seen since the 1800s. Through our collaborative CSA partnership, Ambassadors support conservation efforts to restore woodland within the park, reestablish native prairie habitat over the coming years, and control invasive species within St. Vincent Park with volunteer efforts.
Our CSA partners include Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, Great Rivers Greenway District, Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Master Naturalists Great Rivers Chapter, Missouri Stream Team, Open Space STL, St. Louis Audubon Society, St. Louis County Parks, and St. Louis County Parks Foundation.
What We Do
For The Environment
CSA projects at St. Vincent include:
- Woodland restoration - Over two acres of woodland within the park will be restored through ongoing stewardship events, including tree & shrub planting, woodland perennial seeding/planting, and invasive species management.
- Native pollinator garden expansion - A pollinator garden near the St. Vincent Water Park parking lot was installed in 2017 by CSA Site Ambassador Chris. Through her efforts, over ten different native grasses and wildflowers thrive within the park, providing much-needed food and habitat for local critters and a pretty scene for parkgoers and passersby.
- Prairie establishment - Led by our CSA partner, Great Rivers Greenway, a turf area roughly the size of an acre will be converted into a prairie habitat with native grasses and wildflowers. Within 2-3 years, this area will be a lovely addition alongside St. Vincent Greenway, which connects St. Vincent Park to the University of Missouri-St. Louis campus.
- Savanna establishment - According to our CSA partner, the Missouri Department of Conservation, there are two types of grassland in Missouri: prairies and savannas. The main difference is that prairies have almost no tree cover, while savannas have around 30%. Often, prairies will transition into savanna habitats or vice versa.
For The Community
CSA projects at St. Vincent benefit:
- Community members and volunteers by helping to create lasting relationships that empower local friends and neighbors while bringing people together who value this community treasure and want to see it sustained and thrive.
- Park & Trail users by improving the urban landscapes and beautifying the park for everyone who enjoys these outdoor spaces for recreation.
Ultimately, through collaborative efforts at St. Vincent, we hope to connect the native pollinator garden to the prairie and then the savanna. Fun projects and an incredible team make St. Vincent's CSA program an opportunity you won't want to miss!
Program Opportunities
