Preserve Update: Volunteer Clean-Up Day, Annual Celebration, and Ongoing Hazards from Fallen Trees

8/12/2025

You are an incredible community, and we feel so much love and support from all of you! We truly appreciate everyone who has reached out wanting to help. Now, we have some exciting news to share!

Join Us for Cleanup Day
We invite volunteers and community members to help us begin restoring the preserve during a Cleanup Day on August 14th at 5:30 PM. This event is a great opportunity to get involved, clear debris, and make the preserve safer for everyone. Please watch for additional opportunities to get involved! See the event here. 

2025 Annual Celebration. Looking ahead, please save the date for our 2025 Annual Celebration on Saturday, September 27th at the Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve. This will be our first scheduled event since the storm and a chance to celebrate the progress made, learn about future plans, and enjoy good food and company. RSVP for the Annual Celebration here. 

Preserve Update: NSNP Remains Closed and Ongoing Hazards from Fallen Trees. The Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve remains closed to visitors and on-site programming has not yet resumed. While we continue to assess and address the damage caused by the June 21, 2025, storm, we want to update you on the current state of the preserve and the ongoing risks.

In the aftermath of the storm, the preserve's landscape remains unstable. Fallen trees and debris continue to pose significant risks to both visitors and staff. We urge everyone to avoid entering the preserve until it the preserve opens.

Looking Ahead
We are committed to restoring the preserve and ensuring it is safe for all to enjoy. Our team is working diligently to remove hazardous trees, clear debris, and assess the health of the forest. We will continue to provide updates as progress is made and will announce the reopening timeline once it is safe to do so.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve when it is safe to do so.

To support restoration efforts at the Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve, please consider making a donation at: https://bit.ly/HelpNSNP.

Learn more:
For interviews, or group visit inquiries, contact:
Beth Drost, Outreach Coordinator
Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society
Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve
beth@spearheadmhas.org
http://www.spearheadmhas.org