History of Rivoli Bluffs
Rivoli Bluffs Farm and Restoration Site in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is a great example of a community working together to clean up and bring new life to an old, polluted piece of land. This area is located on Dakota land and is close to the sacred site of Wakan Tipi. Rivoli Bluffs has a long history that goes back to the 1850s when rich people liked to live there because of its beautiful views. But within ten years, railroads surrounded the area, and the wealthy residents moved away.
The neighborhood then became a place where working-class families lived, and many Italian immigrants moved in during the early 1900s. Over the years, Rivoli Bluffs was used for various industrial purposes, including a railroad maintenance shop and a city dump for street sweepings. This caused a lot of pollution in the soil.
Restoration Efforts
To clean up the site, the community received funding from the federal government and brought in clean dirt from nearby places. Even though some of the land still remained empty due to economic and building challenges, the area has now been turned into an urban farm and a youth training program.
EcoAlpha engaged the community to volunteer at Rivoli Bluffs Farm and Restoration Site, where they mulched the soil to suppress invasive plants and plant native plants to restore the natural habitat. They worked with local groups to put in different kinds of native plants, which are important for keeping the environment healthy. These plants give food and shelter to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which are essential for pollination and keeping a diverse ecosystem. Additionally, native plants improve soil quality, stop erosion, and support many types of wildlife. These plants also make the area more beautiful, creating a more enjoyable and welcoming space for the community.