Local elected officials in the Vermillion River Watershed – County Commissioners, Mayors, City Councilmembers, Township Officers, and relevant staff – are invited to join the VRWJPO for a tour of four recently-completed Capital Improvement Program projects on September 25, 2025, from 9 a.m.-12 noon. Meet staff at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center to board a bus and visit sites. We will show how our work in the watershed benefits our communities.

Project locations will include:

• East Lake Invasive Fish Barrier and Removals, Lakeville
• Foxborough Park Stormwater Improvements, Lakeville
• City of Rosemount Public Works and Police Campus Stormwater Treatment
• Landowner raingarden completed through the Landscaping for Clean Water program, Rosemount

Contact VRWJPO Communications and Outreach Specialist Brita Moore-Kutz if interested: brita.moore-kutz@co.dakota.mn.us or (952) 891-7967.

Snacks and beverages will be available. Please wear appropriate footwear for walking outside. The tour will continue unless there is severe weather.

From the City of Burnsville:

This fall, we’re teaming up with volunteers of all ages to collect prairie seeds and plant native flowers and grasses in Burnsville parks like Alimagnet. It’s a hands-on way to learn, connect with neighbors, and leave a lasting mark on our community.

• Everyone is welcome; no experience with seed collecting or native plants is necessary.
• Activity level: Moderate-Traveling off-trail, standing, and walking on uneven ground is expected.
• City staff will provide gloves, glasses, and seed collection training. Feel free to bring your favorite garden gloves and a water bottle.
• Once registered, be on the lookout for an email with parking details and weather updates no later than 24 hours before the event.

This event is part of TCTU’s Vermillion River Initiative, focusing on protecting and enhancing this cold water stream so near to the Twin Cities!

Event copied from the TCTU website.

What Will We Be Doing

• Along with Mark Nemeth of the DNR, we will be executing another step in Project MACHETE
• MACHETE is an experiment of 3 methods of eradicating buckthorn
• Click this link to learn why buckthorn is problematic
• Please NOTE, we will have to wade across the Vermillion

The Plan

• Meet before the start time at the location (see map)
• We’ll sign waivers, drink some coffee, get set up, and get to work

What You Should Bring

• Dress for the weather
• Chest waders or wet wade gear as we will be crossing the Vermillion
• Heavy work gloves
• Water bottle
• Camp chair to sit on while we enjoy lunch

What TCTU & the DNR Will Provide

• All the needed equipment
• Bug spray
• LUNCH after we’re all done working!

Be advised that the event will be canceled if there’s dangerous weather, or if the river is too high & fast for safe crossings. If the event is cancelled, you will be informed via email, so check your email before you leave the house!

Registration will close 24 hours before the event for an accurate headcount.