The 2016 Clean Water Summit will feature up-to-date information and research about green infrastructure for redevelopment and retrofit sites. The conference will focus on innovation in project planning, developing partnerships, engaging the community, design and installation, monitoring, and operations and maintenance. Speakers include Howard Neukrug, PE, former Commissioner and CEO of Philadelphia Water Services, and Rob Traver, Ph.D., Director and Researcher, Villanova Urban Stormwater Partnership. General registration is $80, $70 for Arboretum members and conference affiliates, and includes admission, lunch, and coffee breaks. View the conference web page and sign up at http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/2016CleanWaterSummit.aspx.

The Vermillion River system flows into the mighty Mississippi River at two locations, Hastings and Red Wing. Join Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) for the “State of the River” report on Tues., Nov. 15, 2016, 7:30-8:30 p.m. at the Schaar’s Bluff Gathering Center in Hastings to find out how the great river is doing. FMR Water Program Director Trevor Russell and the Hastings Environmental Protectors will provide an overview of the report, important trends and emerging issues in the river’s health, and potential solutions to improve the Mississippi’s future. An informal question and answer period will follow the presentation. Pre-registration is required, so register soon by contacting FMR or visiting the FMR website.

Turfgrass Maintenance Workshop is for property managers, groundskeepers, and other commercial and public turf managers.

Learn sensible, cost-saving ways to maintain turfgrass and practices that protect lakes and rivers while keeping turfgrass looking its best. Attendees have an opportunity to attain MPCA Level 1 certification in turf care maintenance practices. Topics include fertilizer selection and application, pesticide application, equipment calibration, mowing techniques, environmental effects, soil testing, irrigation best practices and more. Lunch will be provided. Workshop is free.

Pre-registration is required by July 11. To register, send email to environ@co.dakota.mn.us.

Retailers, farmers, and other interested parties in the agriculture industry are invited to a free 4R Technology Review Field Day at the Dave Legvold Farm. The event is hosted by the Minnesota Agricultural Water Resources Center, in partnership with The Mosaic Company, Environmental Tillage Systems, The Fertilizer Institute, and other industry leaders.

The 4R Technology Review Field Day will provide retailers and farmers with information on 4R practices, research and technologies, demonstrations, with guest speakers Tim Radatz, MAWRC; Mark Dittrich, Minnesota Department of Ag; Jeff Vetsch, University of Minnesota; Melinda Sposari, TFI; Steve Emory, CPS; and Adam Herges, Mosaic.

Lunch is included. Continuing Education Credits are available for Certified Crop Advisers in attendance.

In a recent bipartisan effort, Governor Dayton created a goal to reduce water pollution by 25% by the year 2025. Without action, the quality of Minnesota’s waters is only expected to improve six to eight percent by 2034.

This summer and fall, the Governor’s office will hold 10 regional meetings across the state to gather input and perspective on what it could take to realize this goal.

To accompany the regional meetings, an information packet related to water quality in the Twin Cities Metro (Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Scott, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright) was created.