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Water Storytelling and Collage
Join us for storytelling and collage with Julie Boada of the Fond du Lac people and Park Ranger Judy Geck who will share memories, relationships and the hidden histories that have shaped their own personal experiences in and near Minnesota waters. Presented by ArtStart. Registration required.
Pleasant Hill Library
Tuesday, Oct. 25, 3–5 p.m. Geared for teens. Register now.
Wescott Library
Wednesday, Nov. 2, 1–3 p.m. Geared for adults. Register now.
Burnhaven Library
Thursday, Nov. 3, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Geared for adults. Register now.
Nitrate Clinic for Private Well Owners
Bring private well water samples in a clean container to get your water tested for nitrates. Visit the interactive We are Water MN exhibit while you wait for your results.
Pleasant Hill Library
1490 S. Frontage Road, Hastings
Thursday, Oct. 27, 4:30–6:30 p.m.

Minnesota Water Steward Information Sessions
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

Minnesota Water Steward Information Sessions
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

Opt Outside Day: We Are Water MN
Stop by the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. to stroll along the activity trail or use your GPS or phone app to search for themed geocaches. For older adventurers, take on the annual medallion hunt. This year, the event is part of the We are Water MN Exhibit at Dakota County, a Minnesota Legacy program.
Location
When you arrive, head to the Visitor Center and look for the event information station. Each station includes signs with activity instruction information and take-along guides.
- Visitor Center Trailhead, Lebanon Hills Regional Park
Activities
- Water is Life Activity Trail: Explore the activity trail and investigate how critters (and other lifeforms) depend on water in interesting ways. The littlest kids will love this stroller-friendly scavenger hunt, searching for critters along a paved trail. All ages (especially fun for ages 6 and younger).
- Protecting our Waters Geocaching: Search for the multi-cache and become a water saver superhero as you explore how you can help protect water quality. All ages (especially fun for ages 5 and older). Participants must provide their own smartphone with geocaching app or GPS unit for geocaching activity.
- Medallion Hunt: Solve clever riddles in our medallion hunt to find the “medallion” hidden somewhere in the park. All ages (especially for ages 10 and older). Riddles will be posted on Facebook, on the Opt Outside event page Nov. 24-25. Riddles will be posted at 8 a.m. and noon on Thursday, Nov. 24 and noon on Friday, Nov. 25.
Medallion finders must post a selfie near the location of the find to the Dakota County Parks – forever wild Facebook page and call the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center at 651-554-6530 to report their find. A fantastic prize package goes to the winner.

Minnesota Water Steward Information Sessions
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

Minnesota Irrigator Program
Are you an irrigator concerned about matching your irrigation with crop water use? Are you wondering how to improve water use efficiency and reduce water costs? The University of Minnesota Extension is offering the Minnesota Irrigator Program (MIP), to help answer these questions and more.
The three-day MIP will be held in person at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center in Farmington (same building as our office and Dakota County SWCD) on March 1, 8, and 15 from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm. Topics will include general water use and flow, irrigation sprinkler systems, variable rate irrigation, agronomics, maintenance, energy costs, and much more. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Participation is capped at 25 individuals and the cost is $75. For more information and to register, go to https://z.umn.edu/MIP23registration.
MIP attendance is one of the requirements for the Irrigation Endorsement awarded by the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program and certified producers are eligible for tuition reimbursement. Contact your local MAWQCP certifier for more information.