Let's Give to the Max to Build Waḳaƞ Ṭípi!

Lower Phalen Creek Project is a Native-led nonprofit with a mission to "engage people to honor and care for our natural places and the sacred sites and cultural value within them".

Our service area sits on Dakota land and stretches from Lake Phalen to the Mississippi River and throughout the East Side River District.

We offer programs in Environmental Education, Urban Restoration & Conservation, and Cultural Connections & Healing. 

In addition to our community programs, Lower Phalen Creek Project has also completed numerous larger scale conservation and restoration projects on the east side, often in partnership with the city, local watershed districts, and other nonprofit partners. Some of these projects include:

• The reclamation, restoration and establishment of Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary
• Archaeological site studies for Wakáŋ Tipi cave
• Rain garden installations
• East Side and Lowertown trail connections
• Water Feasibility Study for Phalen Creek

All of our work is driven by community input and need. We have engaged thousands of community members, volunteers, local business owners, nonprofits and stakeholders for each project we have pursued.

Wakáŋ Tipi Center  is our current focus project.  We have completed the pre-design phase and have raised 80% of construction funds with plans to break ground in Spring of 2021. This cultural and environmental interpretive center will honor and protect the Dakota sacred site, Wakáŋ Tipi cave. It will also serve as a visitor center and gathering place for the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary as part of the Great River Passage Master Plan for Saint Paul's parks, trails, and open spaces along the Mississippi River corridor. 

Donate today and not only will you support our mission to engage people to honor and care for our natural places and the sacred sites and cultural value within them, you will help us unlock more than $13,000 in challenge dollars!

All gifts will be recognized and celebrated in our annual report!