Mar
1
Wed
2023
Minnesota Ag-Urban Partnership Forum @ College of St. Benedict - Gorecki Center
Mar 1 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Minnesota Ag-Urban Partnership Forum

Plan to participate in person to learn more about the ways that agricultural and urban partners are working together to prepare for extreme weather events and improve water quality around Minnesota. This fourth annual event will focus on extreme weather resiliency, with keynote speaker, Heidi Roop, Ph.D., director, Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership at the University of Minnesota.

Who should attend?

Agricultural, government, local, and urban partners looking for ideas on how to develop and strengthen their relationships while improving the water quality of Minnesota lakes and streams are encouraged to attend.

Online registration is open. Registrations are requested before Feb. 21, 2023, to help finalize preparations for the event.

Mar
7
Tue
2023
Landscaping for Clean Water Intro Course @ Virtual
Mar 7 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Landscaping for Clean Water Intro Course @ Virtual

Landscaping for Clean Water Introductory Course

The Introduction to Clean Water class focuses on general water quality practices of raingardens, native gardens, and shoreline stabilization.

Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District staff will provide an overview of Minnesota’s watersheds and our local water quality challenges, providing beautiful and practical ways to improve pollinator habitat and reduce runoff pollutants from your yard that might be contributing to water quality issues.

The Intro to Clean Water class is FREE, and registration is open to everyone – Dakota County residency not required. You only need to attend or view the Intro to Clean Water class one time – no need to repeat in future years if you want to enroll in the Design Course!

Mar
23
Thu
2023
Landscaping for Clean Water Maintenance Course @ Virtual
Mar 23 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Apr
3
Mon
2023
Landscaping for Clean Water Intro Course @ Eagan City Hall
Apr 3 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Landscaping for Clean Water Intro Course @ Eagan City Hall | Eagan | Minnesota | United States

Landscaping for Clean Water Introductory Course

The Introduction to Clean Water class focuses on general water quality practices of raingardens, native gardens, and shoreline stabilization.

Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District staff will provide an overview of Minnesota’s watersheds and our local water quality challenges, providing beautiful and practical ways to improve pollinator habitat and reduce runoff pollutants from your yard that might be contributing to water quality issues.

The Intro to Clean Water class is FREE, and registration is open to everyone – Dakota County residency not required. You only need to attend or view the Intro to Clean Water class one time – no need to repeat in future years if you want to enroll in the Design Course!

Apr
13
Thu
2023
Landscaping for Clean Water Shoreline Course @ Mendota Heights City Hall
Apr 13 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Apr
22
Sat
2023
Lakeville Earth Day Celebration and Watershed Cleanup Day @ Lakeville Central Maintenance Facility
Apr 22 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Lakeville Earth Day Celebration and Watershed Cleanup Day

Join us at the Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 22 at Lakeville’s Central Maintenance Facility from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be several education stations, earth-friendly prizes to win and free lunch.

After the kick off celebration, the official Watershed Cleanup portion will start for those who are interested. You and your group can start the pickup after the celebration at 1 p.m., or you can schedule a more convenient time, as long as it is before dark. Sign up at https://www.lakevillemn.gov/1027/2023-Earth-Day-Celebration-and-Watershed and indicate on the map at the bottom where you plan on picking up trash. Specific locations will not be assigned, but by placing the pin on your main route or area, it will help others know someone is there. If your area looks clean, we hope you will consider picking up in an area that can use it. To place your location pin on the map and officially sign up, you need to make sure you know your group’s t-shirt sizes and a guess on how many bags you will need as the signup will require that information.

Take the trash you’ve collected to local dumpster drop-off locations. Information will be sent out on the dumpster locations closer to the event. Please don’t leave bags along the curb line or in parks. If you find items that are too heavy to deal with (furniture, tires, etc.), report that by emailing environmental@lakevillemn.gov.

May
3
Wed
2023
Landscaping for Clean Water Intro Course @ Virtual
May 3 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Landscaping for Clean Water Intro Course @ Virtual

Landscaping for Clean Water Introductory Course

The Introduction to Clean Water class focuses on general water quality practices of raingardens, native gardens, and shoreline stabilization.

Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District staff will provide an overview of Minnesota’s watersheds and our local water quality challenges, providing beautiful and practical ways to improve pollinator habitat and reduce runoff pollutants from your yard that might be contributing to water quality issues.

The Intro to Clean Water class is FREE, and registration is open to everyone – Dakota County residency not required. You only need to attend or view the Intro to Clean Water class one time – no need to repeat in future years if you want to enroll in the Design Course!

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