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!

Join us for a Garden Maintenance Class that will provide season specific information on how to maintain and promote the health, performance, and beauty of your garden. The Garden Maintenance Class applies to raingarden, native garden, and native shoreline planting projects and will be held live virtually.

Thursday, March 6, 2025
5 – 6 p.m. with time for questions after the presentation

The Garden Maintenance Class is provided FREE and open to all – Dakota County residency is not required.

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.

 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.

The summer turf grass maintenance training focuses on best management practices (BMPs) for lawns and turf. You will learn how turf management affects local lakes and rivers, equipment calibration, selection and application of fertilizers, mowing techniques, pesticide application tips, legal issues and additional resources.

Who should attend: contractors maintaining private/public grounds, employees maintaining park, cemetery, city or school grounds, property managers writing contracts, distributors of turf care products.

Registration information

Registration is required, please make sure to submit details for all individuals planning to attend.

This training is hosted by Dakota County. Funding is provided by MPCA through the Clean Water Fund.

Do you own a shoreline in Dakota County? The Dakota County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) will host a Natural Shoreline Class in collaboration with the Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization (LMRWMO). We will show you how a natural shoreline installed with native plants can protect your shoreline, beautify your property, and provide habitat for pollinators and aquatic animals. We’ll talk about the process to install such a project, necessary permits, as well as technical assistance and grants to make it a reality. There is no charge to attend this class.

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.

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.