Feb
15
Sat
2025
VRWJPO at Dakota County Fix-It Clinic – Apple Valley @ Galaxie Library
Feb 15 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

VRWJPO at Dakota County Fix-It Clinic – Apple Valley

Stop by our table and learn about your watershed while you get items fixed or mended for free by Dakota County volunteers. Reusing items means you’re keeping them out of the river!

Feb
20
Thu
2025
Landscaping for Clean Water – Introductory Class @ Burnsville City Hall
Feb 20 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Landscaping for Clean Water - Introductory Class @ Burnsville City Hall

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
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
29
Sat
2025
TCTU Habitat Day: Buckthorn Cutting at South Branch AMA @ South Branch Vermillion River Aquatic Management Area
Mar 29 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

TCTU Habitat Day – Buckthorn Cutting at South Branch Vermillion River AMA

 Under the expert eye of Mark Nemeth of the Minnesota DNR, Twin Cities Trout Unlimited (TCTU) will cut invasive buckthorn and other species and treat stumps to prevent regrowth. TCTU needs 20 volunteers for this event.

The Plan

  • Meet at the start time at the parking lot of the South Branch Vermillion River Aquatic Management Area (AMA).
  • Sign waivers, drink some coffee and then get to work cutting, treating stumps and stacking brush!

What You Should Bring

  • Chest waders (in water work) or be prepared to wet wade
  • Long sleeve shirt
  • Sunblock
  • Heavy work gloves
  • Drinking water!

What the DNR & TCTU Will Provide

  • All equipment
  • Bug spray
  • LUNCH afterwards

Please check your email the night before and morning of the event in case of cancellation.

Registration will close 24 hours before the event.

Apr
7
Mon
2025
Landscaping for Clean Water – Introductory Class @ Dakota Lodge at Thompson County Park
Apr 7 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Landscaping for Clean Water - Introductory Class @ Dakota Lodge at Thompson County Park

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.

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.

May
6
Tue
2025
Landscaping for Clean Water – Introductory Class @ Virtual
May 6 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Landscaping for Clean Water - Introductory Class @ Virtual

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.