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.

Oct
4
Wed
2017
25% by 2025 Town Hall Meeting: Burnsville @ Diamondhead Education Center
Oct 4 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

In a recent bipartisan effort, Governor Dayton created a goal to reduce water pollution by 25% by the year 2025. Without action, the quality of Minnesota’s waters is only expected to improve six to eight percent by 2034.

This summer and fall, the Governor’s office will hold 10 regional meetings across the state to gather input and perspective on what it could take to realize this goal.

To accompany the regional meetings, an information packet related to water quality in the Twin Cities Metro (Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Scott, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright) was created.