Jun
25
Sat
2016
Planting Pollinator Patches in Hastings @ Vermillion Falls Park
Jun 25 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Friends of the Mississippi River and the Hastings Environmental Protectors join forces to bring pollinator habitat to Vermillion Falls Park and CP Adams Park in Hastings. Volunteer on Saturday, June 25, 9-11 a.m. to plant pollinator patches in the two parks. Planting these beautiful native species in patches helps birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators find the pollen they need. Tools and training will be provided. Pre-registration is required.

Aug
26
Fri
2016
Winter Parking Lot & Sidewalk Maintenance Workshop @ Dakota County Western Service Center
Aug 26 @ 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
Winter Parking Lot & Sidewalk Maintenance Workshop @ Dakota County Western Service Center | Apple Valley | Minnesota | United States

Winter Parking Lot and Sidewalk Maintenance Workshop is for ice removal contractors, property managers, facilities, parks, cities, and schools.

Learn sensible salting practices to save money, protect lakes and rivers, and keep parking lots and sidewalks safe. Receive a “Winter Parking Lot and Sidewalk Maintenance” manual and a certificate for professional development hour (PDH) credit. Attendees have an opportunity to attain MPCA Level 1 Certification in Snow and Ice Control Best Practices. Lunch will be provided. Workshop is free.

Pre-registration is required. To register, send email to water@co.dakota.mn.us.

Sep
20
Tue
2016
Master Water Stewards Information Meeting @ Dakota County Western Service Center
Sep 20 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Do you want to protect clean water in a lake or stream you care about? The Master Water Stewards program can give you the knowledge, skills, and network to make it happen!

What began as a three-year pilot program in Minnehaha Creek Watershed District through a partnership with The Freshwater Society, is expanding in 2017. The program offers extensive training from top industry professionals — engineers, educators, planners and more. Participants also build a network with like-minded peers, with an emphasis on creativity and collaboration.

Armed with that knowledge, Stewards build projects in their communities that protect water quality and work to educate their neighbors on clean water issues. Everything on city streets flows to our water – oil from cars, bacteria, salt, litter, sediment, and fertilizer. Each year, more polluted runoff reaches our lakes and rivers. Your yard is connected to rivers, lakes, and streams, and you can make a difference in keeping water clean and health. Past certified Stewards have installed raingardens,rain barrels, cisterns, and water-permeable walkways that catch polluted rainwater before it makes it to a nearby lake or stream.

If you are interested in becoming a Master Water Steward, please plan to attend this informational session.

Sep
24
Sat
2016
Vermillion Stewards: native prairie seed collection at Sand Coulee SNA @ Sand Coulees Scientific and Natural Area
Sep 24 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Oct
8
Sat
2016
Minnesota StarWatch at Whitetail Woods @ Whitetail Woods Regional Park
Oct 8 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Dakota County Parks and the Minnesota Institute of Astrophysics bring the night sky to life. Astronomer Mike Lynch presents a short talk and slide show on our solar system. If weather allows, attendees can view the sky through multiple 8-inch reflecting telescopes. The Institute staff also provides free star maps and shows visitors how to use them. Cost of the presentation is $10 per person and registration is required.

Oct
18
Tue
2016
Vermillion Stewards: Landscape for the River @ Angry Inch Brewery
Oct 18 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Join the Vermillion Stewards and Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) in exploring landscape for the river in a workshop on native plants, raingardens, lawn and sidewalk care, and other methods of protecting and improving water quality in the Vermillion River. The workshop takes place in a new venue for the Vermillion Stewards — The Angry Inch Brewery in Lakeville, 20841 Holyoke Ave., a new taproom serving “Angry beer for happy people.” Sample the suds while learning how to turn your backyard into a river friendly force for clean water. Topics include how to reduce runoff from sidewalk salt, landscape with native plants, install a rain barrel, compost yard waste, and create your own raingarden. This free event requires pre-registration. Contact FMR (or visit the FMR website) to reserve your place.

Oct
29
Sat
2016
Volunteers Needed for Trout Unlimited Vermillion Riverkeepers Work Day Oct. 29 @ DNR Vermillion River Aquatic Management Area, South Branch
Oct 29 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Join Trout Unlimited (TU) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a volunteer work day at the DNR Vermillion River Aquatic Management Area to clear invasive species from the banks of the South Branch, one of the Vermillion River’s trout streams. While anyone is welcome to work, a core group of TU volunteers, the Vermillion Riverkeepers, has been clearing invasive species and restoring this great prospective fishing destination for the past few years, donating hundreds of hours to the project. Volunteers will meet at the property, which is west of Hwy. 52 near 200th St. E. (Co. Rd. 66) on Saturday, October 29, 2016, at 9 a.m. After battling the buckthorn (and other invasive plants), volunteers will be provided lunch. To register for the event, contact TU habitat restoration chair Tony Nelson, who will send out an email before the event providing details on what to wear and what to bring.

Nov
5
Sat
2016
Bird Hikes at Carpenter Nature Center @ Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center (CNC)
Nov 5 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Join local bird expert Kevin Smith and other bird lovers on a morning hike at the Carpenter Nature Center. Field guides and binoculars are available, or bring your own. The program is $6 or free for Friends of CNC, St. Croix Valley Bird Club, and Hastings Environmental Protectors. For more information, contact CNC at 651-437-4359 or visit www.CarpenterNatureCenter.org.