Have you ever looked out at your lawn and thought, “sure would be nice to water less often, reduce the need to fertilize, and spend less time mowing”? Well, we’ve got the program for you! Our new program – Lawns Reimagined – assists landowners in installing a more resilient lawn to reduce water and fertilizer use, and cut down on mowing frequency during the growing season.

Lawns Reimagined is a new program provided through a partnership between the Dakota SWCD, Dakota County, and the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization. The goal of the program is to create healthy looking lawns using deeper rooted grasses that are more resilient to weather conditions and climate change while maintaining traditional turfgrass lawn uses.

These lawns will be composed of fescue grass blends that require little to no watering or fertilizer post-establishment; reducing the impact lawns have on the groundwater supply and decreasing nutrient loss to waterbodies through runoff and lawn clippings. It is recommended to reduce mowing frequency which results in reduced carbon emissions from lawn mowers and healthier air at a local level.

The Dakota SWCD will be hosting two workshops for Dakota County residents:
* June 5 in Apple Valley (Municipal Center) at 6 p.m.
* June 12 in Rosemount (Steeple Center) at 6 p.m.

At the workshops, participants will learn about the benefits of an alternative lawn type, along with technical guidance on site preparation, seeding, and long-term maintenance. From there, landowners can apply to receive further assistance. Once applicants have been approved, SWCD staff complete a site visit to further guide site preparation, seeding, and answer any additional questions. Landowners then complete the site preparation and Dakota SWCD will provide landowners with the seed to complete a fall seeding. If the participants are willing to do a little work, the cost to them will be minimal to none!

For more details and to sign up for the workshop, check out the Lawns Reimagined webpage!

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!

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.

From the City of Burnsville:

This fall, we’re teaming up with volunteers of all ages to collect prairie seeds and plant native flowers and grasses in Burnsville parks like Alimagnet. It’s a hands-on way to learn, connect with neighbors, and leave a lasting mark on our community.

• Everyone is welcome; no experience with seed collecting or native plants is necessary.
• Activity level: Moderate-Traveling off-trail, standing, and walking on uneven ground is expected.
• City staff will provide gloves, glasses, and seed collection training. Feel free to bring your favorite garden gloves and a water bottle.
• Once registered, be on the lookout for an email with parking details and weather updates no later than 24 hours before the event.