Under the expert eye of Mark Nemeth of the Minnesota DNR, Twin Cities Trout Unlimited (TCTU) will cut invasive buckthorn and other species and treat stumps to prevent regrowth. TCTU needs 20 volunteers for this event.

The Plan

• Meet at the start time at the parking lot of the South Branch Vermillion River Aquatic Management Area (AMA).
• Sign waivers, drink some coffee and then get to work cutting, treating stumps and stacking brush!

What You Should Bring

• Chest waders (in water work) or be prepared to wet wade
• Long sleeve shirt
• Sunblock
• Heavy work gloves
• Drinking water!

What the DNR & TCTU Will Provide

• All equipment
• Bug spray
• LUNCH afterwards

Please check your email the night before and morning of the event in case of cancellation.

Registration will close 24 hours before the event.

Attend a virtual or in-person introduction class to learn about creating beautiful gardens that help keep water clean.

Creating landscaped areas with native plants or gardens that soak up rainwater is the secret to leisurely living in great-looking yards. Attend a Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction to Clean Water class to see how others in your city have created landscaped areas that benefit local lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Choose one of five dates and locations, all from 6-7 p.m.:

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20

Burnsville City Hall

MONDAY, MARCH 10

Apple Valley Municipal Center

MONDAY, APRIL 7

Dakota Lodge, West St. Paul

TUESDAY, MAY 6

Online Via Zoom

MONDAY, JUNE 2

Farmington Library

Pre-registration for the free class is required. Please visit www.DAKOTASWCD.org to register. Registration is open to everyone, Dakota County residency not required. Contact Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation district at 651-480-7777 or LCW@co.dakota.mn.us with any questions!

After seeing dozens of affordable designs that have transformed bland urban landscapes to beautiful retreats, participants can attend a Landscaping for Clean Water design course where you will receive guidance to create a design for your yard.

For more information about Landscaping for Clean Water go to www.DAKOTASWCD.org.

Bring your family, your neighbors and friends! Fun for all ages! Followed by the annual Watershed Cleanup.

Visit the various education stations and learn about what you can do to help make a difference for the Earth. The education stations include information on the following:

• Aquatic invasive species
• Prairies
• Pollinators
• Recycling
• Water quality
• Watersheds (that’s us)
• And more!

As you visit the stations, you will earn the chance to get Earth-friendly prizes and are sure to have lots of fun along the way.

Other activities include:

• The Zoomobile
• Puppet shows
• Garden tool swap: If you’re in need of new-to-you gardening tools or looking to get rid of excess (but still useful) gardening tools, there will be a garden tool swap at the entrance of the event where you can leave and take what you would like.

Watershed Cleanup Information

You and/or your group can start cleaning on April 26 at 1 p.m., or you can schedule a more convenient time, as long as it is before dark on May 4, 2025. Sign up using the online form here. The deadline to register is Monday, April 21, 2025.

Indicate on the map at the bottom of the form 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. Numbers on the map indicate the number of participants in that area. If on the day of your cleanup 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 will need to know your group’s t-shirt sizes and estimate how many bags you will need

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 or in parks. If you find items that are too heavy to deal with (furniture, tires, etc.), report that by sending an email to environmental@lakevillemn.gov.

Attend a virtual or in-person introduction class to learn about creating beautiful gardens that help keep water clean.

Creating landscaped areas with native plants or gardens that soak up rainwater is the secret to leisurely living in great-looking yards. Attend a Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction to Clean Water class to see how others in your city have created landscaped areas that benefit local lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Choose one of five dates and locations, all from 6-7 p.m.:

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20

Burnsville City Hall

MONDAY, MARCH 10

Apple Valley Municipal Center

MONDAY, APRIL 7

Dakota Lodge, West St. Paul

TUESDAY, MAY 6

Online Via Zoom

MONDAY, JUNE 2

Farmington Library

Pre-registration for the free class is required. Please visit www.DAKOTASWCD.org to register. Registration is open to everyone, Dakota County residency not required. Contact Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation district at 651-480-7777 or LCW@co.dakota.mn.us with any questions!

After seeing dozens of affordable designs that have transformed bland urban landscapes to beautiful retreats, participants can attend a Landscaping for Clean Water design course where you will receive guidance to create a design for your yard.

For more information about Landscaping for Clean Water go to www.DAKOTASWCD.org.

This event is part of Twin Cities Trout Unlimited’s (TCTU) Vermillion River Initiative.

Along with Mark Nemeth of the Minnesota DNR, TCTU will be removing invasive buckthorn, honeysuckle and picking up trash at the Kummer Aquatic Management Area (AMA). A team may be wading across the river so bring waders or wet wade gear.

The Plan

• Meet before the start time at the location.
• Sign waivers, drink some coffee, get set up and get to work.

What You Should Bring

• Dress for the weather
• Waders or footwear that will allow you to cross the river if needed
• Heavy work gloves
• Drinking water
• Camp chair to sit on while we enjoy lunch

What Trout Unlimited & the DNR Will Provide

• All the needed equipment
• Bug spray
• LUNCH afterwards

Registration will end 24 hours before the event so that we can get an accurate headcount. If the event is cancelled, you will be informed via email, so check your email before you leave the house.

The short grasses and wildflowers of the dry prairie at the Hastings Sand Coulee Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) offer a unique beauty in the Twin Cities area. Fourteen rare plant and animal species call this coulee home. The deeply rooted prairie plants also help filter pollutants from runoff water before it can enter the nearby Vermillion and Mississippi rivers.

On this spring evening, volunteers will work with FMR staff to identify and pull garlic mustard, an invasive plant that is found in one small area of the oak woodland flanking the prairie. By removing this plant, volunteers will improve habitat for the native woodland plant and animal species in just a couple of hours, ensuring this garlic mustard patch does not spread.

This event is part of the Vermillion Stewards program, engaging residents to learn about the watershed while working to protect and enhance its unique natural resources.

Please wear sturdy shoes, long pants and long sleeves, and be prepared to work on hilly, uneven terrain in a dense understory of buckthorn. All are welcome, but capacity is limited and registration is required. As always, all tools and training will be provided and volunteers are encouraged to work at their own pace and comfort level.

Join the Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) for an evening of removing invasive garlic mustard at Vermillion River Linear Park, a beautiful 60-acre park in the heart of Hastings and part of a corridor of green space that runs through the city. This park flanks the Vermillion River.

After a brief introduction and training, volunteers will help pull garlic mustard from the wooded areas. Over the years, removing plants like garlic mustard has cleared the way for native plant communities to return and thrive.

All are welcome, however, capacity is limited and registration is required. All supplies and training will be provided and volunteers will work closely with FMR staff. This event is part of the Vermillion Stewards program, engaging Vermillion River Watershed residents to learn about the local watershed while working to protect and enhance its unique natural resources.

Accessibility

There is a less than five-minute walk to the work areas, and some areas of the worksite can be accessed by paved trails. Volunteers will be working on level ground but uneven terrain. Pulling garlic mustard is a lower-intensity activity. Pulling garlic mustard can be done while kneeling or sitting down, and FMR will provide a few kneeling pads. This site has abundant stinging nettle, so long pants and sleeves are suggested.

Ready to register?

Please use this form below to register for this event. If you have questions or concerns, you can contact volunteer@fmr.org(link sends e-mail) or 651.477.0925.

If you’re under 18 and interested in volunteering without the company of your parent or guardian, please take a moment and have them fill out this brief minor permission form.

Attend a virtual or in-person introduction class to learn about creating beautiful gardens that help keep water clean.

Creating landscaped areas with native plants or gardens that soak up rainwater is the secret to leisurely living in great-looking yards. Attend a Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction to Clean Water class to see how others in your city have created landscaped areas that benefit local lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Choose one of five dates and locations, all from 6-7 p.m.:

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20

Burnsville City Hall

MONDAY, MARCH 10

Apple Valley Municipal Center

MONDAY, APRIL 7

Dakota Lodge, West St. Paul

TUESDAY, MAY 6

Online Via Zoom

MONDAY, JUNE 2

Farmington Library

Pre-registration for the free class is required. Please visit www.DAKOTASWCD.org to register. Registration is open to everyone, Dakota County residency not required. Contact Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation district at 651-480-7777 or LCW@co.dakota.mn.us with any questions!

After seeing dozens of affordable designs that have transformed bland urban landscapes to beautiful retreats, participants can attend a Landscaping for Clean Water design course where you will receive guidance to create a design for your yard.

For more information about Landscaping for Clean Water go to www.DAKOTASWCD.org.