Oct
11
Tue
2022
A Confluence of Stewards @ Capitol Region Watershed District
Oct 11 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
A Confluence of Stewards @ Capitol Region Watershed District | Saint Paul | Minnesota | United States

Confluence of Stewards

Join us for an open house celebrating of the work of Minnesota Water Steward volunteers!

Newly certified Stewards, seasoned Stewards, program partners, and supporters are all welcome!

Come explore the capstone projects of graduating stewards, share your own projects, network with your fellow Stewards, and spend the evening in the good company of others working to improve the health of our waters. This is a fun and casual event with speakers, best management practice tours, and a food truck, all to celebrate Stewards and their efforts.

This event is free, but capacity is somewhat limited so please RSVP on the Freshwater website.

Oct
18
Tue
2022
Minnesota Water Steward Information Sessions @ Virtual
Oct 18 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Minnesota Water Steward Information Sessions @ Virtual

Minnesota Water Steward Information Sessions

Come learn what it takes to become a Water Steward! Along with submitting an application, all program applicants need to attend an information session. Anyone is welcome to attend any info session.

Information sessions for the 2023 program year (starting January 2023) are all virtual and listed below. Sessions run about 45 minutes to an hour long. You must register beforehand and you only need to attend one session.

Contact Alex Van Loh avanloh@freshwater.org with questions.

Tuesday, October 18, 2022, 12:00 pm

Tuesday, October 18, 2022, 5:00 pm

Tuesday, October 25, 2022, 12:00 pm

Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 5:00 pm 

Tuesday, November 15, 2022, 12:00 pm

Tuesday, November 29, 2022, 5:00 pm

Oct
25
Tue
2022
Minnesota Water Steward Information Sessions @ Virtual
Oct 25 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Minnesota Water Steward Information Sessions @ Virtual

Minnesota Water Steward Information Sessions

Come learn what it takes to become a Water Steward! Along with submitting an application, all program applicants need to attend an information session. Anyone is welcome to attend any info session.

Information sessions for the 2023 program year (starting January 2023) are all virtual and listed below. Sessions run about 45 minutes to an hour long. You must register beforehand and you only need to attend one session.

Contact Alex Van Loh avanloh@freshwater.org with questions.

Tuesday, October 18, 2022, 12:00 pm

Tuesday, October 18, 2022, 5:00 pm

Tuesday, October 25, 2022, 12:00 pm

Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 5:00 pm 

Tuesday, November 15, 2022, 12:00 pm

Tuesday, November 29, 2022, 5:00 pm

Nov
1
Tue
2022
Minnesota Water Steward Information Sessions @ Virtual
Nov 1 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Minnesota Water Steward Information Sessions @ Virtual

Minnesota Water Steward Information Sessions

Come learn what it takes to become a Water Steward! Along with submitting an application, all program applicants need to attend an information session. Anyone is welcome to attend any info session.

Information sessions for the 2023 program year (starting January 2023) are all virtual and listed below. Sessions run about 45 minutes to an hour long. You must register beforehand and you only need to attend one session.

Contact Alex Van Loh avanloh@freshwater.org with questions.

Tuesday, October 18, 2022, 12:00 pm

Tuesday, October 18, 2022, 5:00 pm

Tuesday, October 25, 2022, 12:00 pm

Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 5:00 pm 

Tuesday, November 15, 2022, 12:00 pm

Tuesday, November 29, 2022, 5:00 pm

Nov
15
Tue
2022
Minnesota Water Steward Information Sessions @ Virtual
Nov 15 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Minnesota Water Steward Information Sessions @ Virtual

Minnesota Water Steward Information Sessions

Come learn what it takes to become a Water Steward! Along with submitting an application, all program applicants need to attend an information session. Anyone is welcome to attend any info session.

Information sessions for the 2023 program year (starting January 2023) are all virtual and listed below. Sessions run about 45 minutes to an hour long. You must register beforehand and you only need to attend one session.

Contact Alex Van Loh avanloh@freshwater.org with questions.

Tuesday, October 18, 2022, 12:00 pm

Tuesday, October 18, 2022, 5:00 pm

Tuesday, October 25, 2022, 12:00 pm

Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 5:00 pm 

Tuesday, November 15, 2022, 12:00 pm

Tuesday, November 29, 2022, 5:00 pm

Nov
29
Tue
2022
Minnesota Water Steward Information Sessions @ Virtual
Nov 29 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Minnesota Water Steward Information Sessions @ Virtual

Minnesota Water Steward Information Sessions

Come learn what it takes to become a Water Steward! Along with submitting an application, all program applicants need to attend an information session. Anyone is welcome to attend any info session.

Information sessions for the 2023 program year (starting January 2023) are all virtual and listed below. Sessions run about 45 minutes to an hour long. You must register beforehand and you only need to attend one session.

Contact Alex Van Loh avanloh@freshwater.org with questions.

Tuesday, October 18, 2022, 12:00 pm

Tuesday, October 18, 2022, 5:00 pm

Tuesday, October 25, 2022, 12:00 pm

Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 5:00 pm 

Tuesday, November 15, 2022, 12:00 pm

Tuesday, November 29, 2022, 5:00 pm

May
12
Fri
2023
Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course @ Apple Valley Municipal Center McIntosh Training Room
May 12 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course @ Apple Valley Municipal Center McIntosh Training Room

Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course

After completing the Introduction to Clean Water class, you are eligible to enroll in the Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course. While the Landscaping for Clean Water program is open to anyone, the $250 cost share grants are only available to Dakota County residents and Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization residents in Ramsey County.

The Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course helps residents like you create and install beautiful landscaping projects that are unique to your yard! This course is a great opportunity to learn about garden planning from the experts, whether you are interested in finding out about site design, plant selection, raingarden installation, or adding native plants to the landscape.

In 2023, the Design Course Online Learning Materials will be provided to all participants for project planning at home. In addition, we are offering three in-person Design Course options this year:

IN-PERSON DESIGN COURSE OPTIONS

  • Tuesday/Thursday – April 18/20
    Burnsville City Hall
    6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
  • Friday – May 12
    Apple Valley Municipal Center
    12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday/Thursday – June 20/22
    Mendota Heights Fire Station
    6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

There is a $25.00 registration fee for the Design Course that includes a copy of the Blue Thumb Guide to Raingardens book, a Design Folder including aerial property maps and design tools, online instruction materials and one-on-one help.

Are you a returning Design Course participant? Register again for the Design Course and the FEE is WAIVED!

APPLY FOR A $250 GARDEN GRANT!

At the end of the Design Course you will have a complete garden project planned and ready to install. You then have the opportunity to apply for a $250 cost share grant, funded by Dakota County watershed organizations. The grant (paid at completion of project) includes in-person site visits at your property and technical assistance from our staff available to you throughout the installation process.

The 2023 grants will be awarded in three rounds, as follows:

2023 Application Date Project Completion
Round 1 April 26, 2023 July 21, 2023
Round 2 May 31, 2023 August 25, 2023
Round 3 July 12, 2023 October 6, 2023
Jul
20
Thu
2023
Public Meeting: Alimagnet Lake alum treatment @ Burnsville City Hall, Dakota Room in lower level
Jul 20 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Public Meeting: Alimagnet Lake Feasibility Study

This spring and summer, the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) is leading an Alimagnet Lake alum (aluminum sulfate) treatment feasibility study. City of Burnsville and City of Apple Valley natural resources staff are also participating in the process. VRWJPO has hired a consultant, Barr Engineering, to conduct field work, analyze data and help put together the final feasibility report. This report is expected to be completed in July. We are hosting a public meeting on July 20, 2023 where the findings of the report will be presented.

What is an alum treatment?

An alum treatment is a common water quality improvement practice in shallow lakes that have excessive phosphorus and poor water clarity as a result of algae growth. Often times phosphorus is released into the water column from lake bottom sediments during the summer months. When alum is added to the water, it attaches to phosphorus and falls to the bottom of the lake, preventing it from feeding algae and improving water clarity. Increased clarity following alum treatments can also lead to increased aquatic plant growth, which help to keep phosphorus levels in check.

One of the first steps in planning for a potential alum treatment is to conduct a feasibility study, which will determine whether Alimagnet Lake is a good candidate for the treatment, and if it is, how to most effectively apply alum in the lake, and the estimated costs. The study will also look at alternative solutions to improve water quality, other than an alum treatment.

At the public meeting, there will be a short presentation to present the findings of the study and then time for attendees to ask questions or provide feedback on the findings. If alum treatment is determined to be a feasible option for Alimagnet Lake, VRWJPO would anticipate applying for a grant in late summer of 2023 to obtain funding to complete the work. No treatment would occur prior to 2024.

If you have any questions regarding the public meeting, please feel free to contact Caleb at 952-895-4543 or caleb.ashling@burnsvillemn.gov.