Come learn what it takes to become a Water Steward! Along with submitting an application, all program applicants need to attend an information session. Anyone is welcome to attend any info session.

Information sessions for the 2023 program year (starting January 2023) are all virtual and listed below. Sessions run about 45 minutes to an hour long. You must register beforehand and you only need to attend one session.

Contact Alex Van Loh avanloh@freshwater.org with questions.

Tuesday, October 18, 2022, 12:00 pm

Tuesday, October 18, 2022, 5:00 pm

Tuesday, October 25, 2022, 12:00 pm

Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 5:00 pm 

Tuesday, November 15, 2022, 12:00 pm

Tuesday, November 29, 2022, 5:00 pm

Plan to participate in person to learn more about the ways that agricultural and urban partners are working together to prepare for extreme weather events and improve water quality around Minnesota. This fourth annual event will focus on extreme weather resiliency, with keynote speaker, Heidi Roop, Ph.D., director, Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership at the University of Minnesota.

Who should attend?

Agricultural, government, local, and urban partners looking for ideas on how to develop and strengthen their relationships while improving the water quality of Minnesota lakes and streams are encouraged to attend.

Online registration is open. Registrations are requested before Feb. 21, 2023, to help finalize preparations for the event.

The Introduction to Clean Water class focuses on general water quality practices of raingardens, native gardens, and shoreline stabilization.

Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District staff will provide an overview of Minnesota’s watersheds and our local water quality challenges, providing beautiful and practical ways to improve pollinator habitat and reduce runoff pollutants from your yard that might be contributing to water quality issues.

The Intro to Clean Water class is FREE, and registration is open to everyone – Dakota County residency not required. You only need to attend or view the Intro to Clean Water class one time – no need to repeat in future years if you want to enroll in the Design Course!

The Introduction to Clean Water class focuses on general water quality practices of raingardens, native gardens, and shoreline stabilization.

Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District staff will provide an overview of Minnesota’s watersheds and our local water quality challenges, providing beautiful and practical ways to improve pollinator habitat and reduce runoff pollutants from your yard that might be contributing to water quality issues.

The Intro to Clean Water class is FREE, and registration is open to everyone – Dakota County residency not required. You only need to attend or view the Intro to Clean Water class one time – no need to repeat in future years if you want to enroll in the Design Course!

Join us at the Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 22 at Lakeville’s Central Maintenance Facility from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be several education stations, earth-friendly prizes to win and free lunch.

After the kick off celebration, the official Watershed Cleanup portion will start for those who are interested. You and your group can start the pickup after the celebration at 1 p.m., or you can schedule a more convenient time, as long as it is before dark. Sign up at https://www.lakevillemn.gov/1027/2023-Earth-Day-Celebration-and-Watershed and indicate on the map at the bottom 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. If 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 need to make sure you know your group’s t-shirt sizes and a guess on how many bags you will need as the signup will require that information.

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 line or in parks. If you find items that are too heavy to deal with (furniture, tires, etc.), report that by emailing environmental@lakevillemn.gov.

The Introduction to Clean Water class focuses on general water quality practices of raingardens, native gardens, and shoreline stabilization.

Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District staff will provide an overview of Minnesota’s watersheds and our local water quality challenges, providing beautiful and practical ways to improve pollinator habitat and reduce runoff pollutants from your yard that might be contributing to water quality issues.

The Intro to Clean Water class is FREE, and registration is open to everyone – Dakota County residency not required. You only need to attend or view the Intro to Clean Water class one time – no need to repeat in future years if you want to enroll in the Design Course!