Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course
After completing the Introduction to Clean Water class, you are eligible to enroll in the Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course. While the Landscaping for Clean Water program is open to anyone, the $250 cost share grants are only available to Dakota County residents and Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization residents in Ramsey County.
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.
In 2023, the Design Course Online Learning Materials will be provided to all participants for project planning at home. In addition, we are offering three in-person Design Course options this year:
IN-PERSON DESIGN COURSE OPTIONS
- Tuesday/Thursday – April 18/20
Burnsville City Hall
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. - Friday – May 12
Apple Valley Municipal Center
12:00 – 4:00 p.m. - Tuesday/Thursday – June 20/22
Mendota Heights Fire Station
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
There is a $25.00 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 and 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!
APPLY FOR A $250 GARDEN GRANT!
At the end of the Design Course you will have a complete garden project planned and ready to install. You then have the opportunity to apply for a $250 cost share grant, funded by Dakota County watershed organizations. The grant (paid at completion of project) includes in-person site visits at your property and technical assistance from our staff available to you throughout the installation process.
The 2023 grants will be awarded in three rounds, as follows:
| 2023 | Application Date | Project Completion |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | April 26, 2023 | July 21, 2023 |
| Round 2 | May 31, 2023 | August 25, 2023 |
| Round 3 | July 12, 2023 | October 6, 2023 |
South Branch Vermillion River Habitat Day
Join Twin Cities Trout Unlimited as they help the DNR improve the Vermillion River and this Aquatic Management Area for wildlife and anglers.
Work will include:
-Removing buckthorn, honeysuckle and other invasive species
-Pulling debris out of the water
-Picking up trash
Bring heavy work gloves and a willingness to work hard and maybe get wet!
Vermillion River-Kummer AMA Habitat Day
This event is part of Twin Cities Trout Unlimited’s Vermillion River Initiative-a focus on protecting and enhancing this cold water stream so near to the Twin Cities! Join us TCTU as they help the DNR continue to restore the Vermillion River & this Aquatic Management Area for wildlife.
Work will include:
-Removing buckthorn, other invasive species and boxelders
-Dragging and dropping the brush into piles
-Picking up any trash we find
Bring heavy work gloves and a willingness to work hard.
There won’t be any in-water work, but we’ll be able to keep our eyes open for trout!
In case this is cancelled, the back-up day will be June 8, same time and place.
Volunteer for Winter Salt Week – Jan. 27-31
Join Dakota County and local watershed organizations in sampling for chloride in water. Stop by a Dakota County Library branch to pick up sampling materials and learn how you can use less salt and reduce chloride pollution while staying safe this winter.
Chloride levels in Minnesota’s lakes, rivers and groundwater are increasing over time, largely attributed to overuse of de-icing salt. One teaspoon of salt pollutes five gallons of water, with no feasible way to remove it. Salt damages property and the environment, harms aquatic species and impacts drinking water quality.
With friends or family, collect a water sample from a local lake, stream, or wetland and test it for chloride using the Izaak Walton League of America’s Salt Watch Kit. Choose any Dakota County library and sign up to collect testing supplies at that location Jan. 27 – 31.
Your testing kit will include a list and map of streams, ponds or wetlands near the libraries where you can collect a water sample from. Report the data/share the results to the Clean Water Hub. All materials needed and instructions will be provided by the county.
Participating library branches include:
- Burnhaven Library (Burnsville)
- Farmington Library (Farmington)
- Galaxie Library (Apple Valley)
- Heritage Library (Lakeville)
- Inver Glen Library (Inver Grove Heights)
- Kaposia Library (South St. Paul)
- Pleasant Hill Library (Hastings)
- Robert Trail Library (Rosemount)
- Wentworth Library (West St. Paul)
- Wescott Library (Eagan)
While at your favorite Dakota County library:
- Browse book displays on winter topics. Pick up a bookmark with the book lists.
- Have fun on a scavenger hunt.
- Learn how to be a Smart Salter and pick up a cup to use the right amount of salt if it is needed.
- Know what watershed you live in and how you can help protect local water resources.
- Kids activities include Salty Dawg activity book, temporary tattoos, origami and buttons!
- Learn from Salty Dawg and take the pledge to be a Smart Salter. Find more information about the pledge at all library branches and on the Dakota County website
More information about Winter Salt Week
Winter Salt Week is January 27-31, 2025. This event is a collaboration of governmental and non-governmental organizations across the United States and Canada. Winter salt use damages infrastructure and threatens the health of lakes, streams and drinking water. The goal of the event is to engage with Minnesotans on chloride pollution in your community and continue ‘working to keep freshwater fresh.’
Visit www.wintersaltweek.org for more information and to learn about the daily webinars including Minnesota speakers providing public works perspectives and presenting on the policy solutions panel.
Program Contact
Lindsey Albright, Monitoring and Outreach Coordinator, Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District – lindsey.albright@co.dakota.mn.us
Winter safety tips:
- Wait until roads are safe to travel before driving to a sample location.
- Wear crampons or shoes with good traction.
- Approach water where the ground is flat and not slippery.
- NEVER walk on the ice over the water.
- Sample where ice is thin enough to easily break through and reachable from a stable spot on the bank.
- When in doubt, come back when conditions improve.
General safety tips:
- Wear fluorescent clothing when sampling during hunting season or along a roadway.
- Dress appropriately for weather conditions.
- Be sure to sample on public property or secure landowner permission first.
- Park carefully when sampling near a roadway.
- Go with a partner or make sure someone knows where you are going and when you are expected to return.
Vermillion River Watershed Tour for Elected Officials
Local elected officials in the Vermillion River Watershed – County Commissioners, Mayors, City Councilmembers, Township Officers, and relevant staff – are invited to join the VRWJPO for a tour of four recently-completed Capital Improvement Program projects on September 25, 2025, from 9 a.m.-12 noon. Meet staff at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center to board a bus and visit sites. We will show how our work in the watershed benefits our communities.
Project locations will include:
- East Lake Invasive Fish Barrier and Removals, Lakeville
- Foxborough Park Stormwater Improvements, Lakeville
- City of Rosemount Public Works and Police Campus Stormwater Treatment
- Landowner raingarden completed through the Landscaping for Clean Water program, Rosemount
Contact VRWJPO Communications and Outreach Specialist Brita Moore-Kutz if interested: brita.moore-kutz@co.dakota.mn.us or (952) 891-7967.
Snacks and beverages will be available. Please wear appropriate footwear for walking outside. The tour will continue unless there is severe weather.
