Feb
27
Thu
2025
Canceled – Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board Meeting @ Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center
Feb 27 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Canceled – Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board Meeting

This meeting has been canceled due to a lack of agenda items.

Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board Meeting @ Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center
Feb 27 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board Meeting

Virtual meeting access will be posted here when available.

Mar
1
Sat
2025
Dakota County Rainbarrel and Compost Bin Sale @ Online
Mar 1 all-day

Discounted compost bins and rain barrels available March 1

Dakota County residents receive a 30% discount when ordering a compost bin or rain barrel – made from recycled materials – from the Recycling Association of Minnesota’s annual sale.

Beginning March 1, order online at www (dot) recycleminnesota (dot) org and use the promo code Dakota. Be sure you can pick up your order on the dates listed for the Dakota County store location you choose. Quantities are limited. Orders will be filled as they are received.

Distribution events will be held in May at the City of Mendota Heights Public Works Facility and the Dakota County Empire Maintenance Facility in Rosemount.

Learn how to compost at home and the advantages of rain barrels.

Mar
6
Thu
2025
Landscaping for Clean Water Maintenance Course @ Virtual
Mar 6 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Landscaping for Clean Water Maintenance Course

Join us for a Garden Maintenance Class that will provide season specific information on how to maintain and promote the health, performance, and beauty of your garden. The Garden Maintenance Class applies to raingarden, native garden, and native shoreline planting projects and will be held live virtually.

Thursday, March 6, 2025
5 – 6 p.m. with time for questions after the presentation

The Garden Maintenance Class is provided FREE and open to all – Dakota County residency is not required.

Mar
10
Mon
2025
Landscaping for Clean Water – Introductory Class @ Apple Valley Municipal Center
Mar 10 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Landscaping for Clean Water - Introductory Class @ Apple Valley Municipal Center

Landscaping for Clean Water – Introductory Class

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.

Mar
11
Tue
2025
Nitrate Testing for Private Well Water @ Farmington Library
Mar 11 @ 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Free Nitrate Testing for Private Well Water

Bring private well water samples in a clean container to get your water tested for nitrates. Get your questions answered by well and groundwater experts from Dakota County Environmental Resources. Water-themed coloring pages and activities will be provided for children. All are welcome.

Mar
18
Tue
2025
Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course @ Burnsville City Hall
Mar 18 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course @ Burnsville City Hall

Landscaping for Clean Water – Design Course

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.

After completing the Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction Class, you are eligible to enroll in the Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course. While the class is open to anyone, the $250 cost share grants are only available to Dakota County residents and Lower Mississippi River Watershed Maintenance Organization residents in Ramsey County.

Design Course Online Learning Materials will be provided to all participants for project planning at home. In addition, there are six in-person Design Course options in two 2-hour blocks or one 4-hour block.

There is a $25 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, 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!

Mar
20
Thu
2025
Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course @ Burnsville City Hall
Mar 20 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course @ Burnsville City Hall

Landscaping for Clean Water – Design Course

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.

After completing the Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction Class, you are eligible to enroll in the Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course. While the class is open to anyone, the $250 cost share grants are only available to Dakota County residents and Lower Mississippi River Watershed Maintenance Organization residents in Ramsey County.

Design Course Online Learning Materials will be provided to all participants for project planning at home. In addition, there are six in-person Design Course options in two 2-hour blocks or one 4-hour block.

There is a $25 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, 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!