Apr
10
Thu
2025
Turfgrass Maintenance Certification Training @ Dakota County Empire Transportation Facility
Apr 10 @ 8:00 am – 2:00 pm

Turfgrass Maintenance Training – April 10 in Empire

The summer turf grass maintenance training focuses on best management practices (BMPs) for lawns and turf. You will learn how turf management affects local lakes and rivers, equipment calibration, selection and application of fertilizers, mowing techniques, pesticide application tips, legal issues and additional resources.

Who should attend: contractors maintaining private/public grounds, employees maintaining park, cemetery, city or school grounds, property managers writing contracts, distributors of turf care products.

Registration information

Registration is required, please make sure to submit details for all individuals planning to attend.

This training is hosted by Dakota County. Funding is provided by MPCA through the Clean Water Fund.

Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course @ Mendota Heights City Hall
Apr 10 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course @ Mendota Heights 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!

Apr
14
Mon
2025
Landscaping for Clean Water Natural Shoreline Course @ Dakota Lodge at Thompson County Park
Apr 14 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Landscaping for Clean Water Natural Shoreline Course

Do you own a shoreline in Dakota County? The Dakota County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) will host a Natural Shoreline Class in collaboration with the Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization (LMRWMO). We will show you how a natural shoreline installed with native plants can protect your shoreline, beautify your property, and provide habitat for pollinators and aquatic animals. We’ll talk about the process to install such a project, necessary permits, as well as technical assistance and grants to make it a reality. There is no charge to attend this class.

Apr
21
Mon
2025
Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course @ Eagan City Hall
Apr 21 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course @ Eagan 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!

Apr
22
Tue
2025
Earth Day
Apr 22 all-day
Apr
24
Thu
2025
Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board Meeting @ Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center
Apr 24 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board Meeting

Virtual meeting access:

Microsoft Teams

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 250 720 001 229

Passcode: VY65Jw35

Dial in by phone

+1 651-273-3070,,980027819# United States, Hastings

Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 980 027 819#

Apr
25
Fri
2025
Arbor Day
Apr 25 all-day
Apr
26
Sat
2025
Lakeville Earth Day Celebration @ Lakeville Central Maintenance Facility
Apr 26 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Lakeville Earth Day Celebration @ Lakeville Central Maintenance Facility

Lakeville Earth Day Celebration and Watershed Cleanup

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.