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"State of the River" Report 2018 budget 25 by 25 Ag Water Quality Certification agriculture ais Alimagnet Angry Inch Angry Inch Brewery Apple Valley Apple Valley Senior Center aquatic invasive species astronomy bird watching board meeting buckthorn removal Burnsville Carpenter Nature Center Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center citizen advisory group Clean Water Summit 2016 climate Coca-Cola Refreshments in Eagan Minn. Community Advisory Committee community event Conservation Minnesota County Fair CP Adams Park Dakota County Dakota County Parks Dakota County SWCD de-icing workshop Eagan Earth Day exhibits Farmington field day fishing Fix-It Clinic FMR Fortin Consulting Freshwater Society Friends of CNC Friends of the Mississippi River Governor Dayton Greenway groundwater Hastings Hastings Environmental Protectors Hastings Sand Coulee SNA information meeting invasive species removal Inver Grove Heights irrigation Joint Powers Board Kevin Smith Lake Marion Lakeville landscape for the river landscaping for clean water lawn and garden lawns maintenance MAISRC Master Water Stewards Mike Lynch Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Minnesota Institute of Astrophysics Minnesota Landscape Arboretum minnesota pollution control agency Minnesota StarWatch Mississippi River MPCA MWS native plants nitrates North Creek Parks Pine Bend SNA planting for clean planting for clean water pollinators prairie seed collection private wells public hearing public meeting rain barrel rainbarrel raingarden redevelopment rosemount salt sand coulee SNA Schaar's Bluff Gathering Center scientific and natural area Scott County scott swcd shoreline Smart Salting snow and ice best practices South Branch Vermillion River Spring Lake Park St. Croix Valley Bird Club star map starry stonewort starry trek stormwater retrofits SWCD TAG Technical Advisory Group Technical Advisory Group (TAG) tour town hall township officers Trevor Russell trout stream Trout Unlimited TU turfgrass maintenance Twin Cities Trout Unlimited UMN Extension University of Minnesota urban urban best management practices Vermillion Falls Park Vermillion River Vermillion River Aquatic Management Area Vermillion River Watershed Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization Vermillion Riverkeepers Vermillion Stewards volunteer VRWJPB VRWJPO VRWPC water conservation water quality Water treatment watershed management Watershed Plan watershed planning commission Watershed Planning Commission (WPC) We Are Water MN Whitetail Woods Regional Park winter road maintenance WPC
Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board Meeting
Virtual meeting access will be posted here when available.
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.

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.
Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board Meeting
Virtual meeting access:
Microsoft Teams
Meeting ID: 250 720 001 229
Passcode: VY65Jw35
Dial in by phone
+1 651-273-3070,,980027819# United States, Hastings
Phone conference ID: 980 027 819#

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.

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.
TCTU Habitat Day: Invasive Species Removal at the Vermillion River Kummer AMA
This event is part of Twin Cities Trout Unlimited’s (TCTU) Vermillion River Initiative.
Along with Mark Nemeth of the Minnesota DNR, TCTU will be removing invasive buckthorn, honeysuckle and picking up trash at the Kummer Aquatic Management Area (AMA). A team may be wading across the river so bring waders or wet wade gear.
The Plan
- Meet before the start time at the location.
- Sign waivers, drink some coffee, get set up and get to work.
What You Should Bring
- Dress for the weather
- Waders or footwear that will allow you to cross the river if needed
- Heavy work gloves
- Drinking water
- Camp chair to sit on while we enjoy lunch
What Trout Unlimited & the DNR Will Provide
- All the needed equipment
- Bug spray
- LUNCH afterwards
Registration will end 24 hours before the event so that we can get an accurate headcount. If the event is cancelled, you will be informed via email, so check your email before you leave the house.
Vermillion River Watershed Community Advisory Committee Meeting
Virtual meeting access will be posted here when available.