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"State of the River" Report 2018 budget 25 by 25 Ag Water Quality Certification agriculture ais Alimagnet Angry Inch Angry Inch Brewery Apple Valley Apple Valley Senior Center aquatic invasive species astronomy bird watching board meeting buckthorn removal Burnsville Carpenter Nature Center Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center citizen advisory group Clean Water Summit 2016 climate Coca-Cola Refreshments in Eagan Minn. Community Advisory Committee community event Conservation Minnesota County Fair CP Adams Park Dakota County Dakota County Parks Dakota County SWCD de-icing workshop Eagan Earth Day exhibits Farmington field day fishing Fix-It Clinic FMR Fortin Consulting Freshwater Society Friends of CNC Friends of the Mississippi River Governor Dayton Greenway groundwater Hastings Hastings Environmental Protectors Hastings Sand Coulee SNA information meeting invasive species removal Inver Grove Heights irrigation Joint Powers Board Kevin Smith Lake Marion Lakeville landscape for the river landscaping for clean water lawn and garden lawns maintenance MAISRC Master Water Stewards Mike Lynch Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Minnesota Institute of Astrophysics Minnesota Landscape Arboretum minnesota pollution control agency Minnesota StarWatch Mississippi River MPCA MWS native plants nitrates North Creek Parks Pine Bend SNA planting for clean planting for clean water pollinators prairie seed collection private wells public hearing public meeting rain barrel rainbarrel raingarden redevelopment rosemount salt sand coulee SNA Schaar's Bluff Gathering Center scientific and natural area Scott County scott swcd shoreline Smart Salting snow and ice best practices South Branch Vermillion River Spring Lake Park St. Croix Valley Bird Club star map starry stonewort starry trek stormwater retrofits SWCD TAG Technical Advisory Group Technical Advisory Group (TAG) tour town hall township officers Trevor Russell trout stream Trout Unlimited TU turfgrass maintenance Twin Cities Trout Unlimited UMN Extension University of Minnesota urban urban best management practices Vermillion Falls Park Vermillion River Vermillion River Aquatic Management Area Vermillion River Watershed Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization Vermillion Riverkeepers Vermillion Stewards volunteer VRWJPB VRWJPO VRWPC water conservation water quality Water treatment watershed management Watershed Plan watershed planning commission Watershed Planning Commission (WPC) We Are Water MN Whitetail Woods Regional Park winter road maintenance WPC
This outdoor, farmers’-market-style event is open to all. In addition to multiple native plant vendors, there will be informational booths where attendees can talk with individuals from Dakota County Soil & Water Conservation District, Dakota County Master Gardeners, and the City of Burnsville natural resources group.
Looking for good neighbors to protect water quality
Applications being accepted for Master Water Stewards program
The Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) invites residents to become Master Water Stewards (MWS). The MWS program provides training and opportunities for residents to protect and improve water quality and habitat.
Freshwater Society developed the MWS program in 2013. The VRWJPO is one of many watershed organizations sponsoring MWS classes.
The cost to enroll in the MWS program in the Vermillion River Watershed is $125 per person, which covers course fees and field trips. The cost will be reimbursed to participants upon certification as a Master Water Steward. Scholarships may be available for situations of demonstrated financial hardship.
The next MWS session begins in October and runs through April 2018. To learn more, visit the Master Water Stewards website or attend any information session in the metro area or Sept. 5 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Dakota County Western Service Center, room 334.
Master Water Stewards are certified by participating in a broad training curriculum led by experts in the fields of hydrology, stormwater management, water policy, community-based social marketing, and raingarden assessment and installation. They must complete a capstone project that captures rainfall and allows more water to soak into the ground, and lead a community outreach event. Stewards then become a point of knowledge and influence in their communities.
For more details and to apply, visit www.masterwaterstewards.org. Direct questions to the Vermillion River Watershed, paula.liepold@co.dakota.mn.us or (952) 891-7117.
After a brief training on the importance of seed collecting and identification, volunteers will help hand collect much-needed native prairie seed while enjoying this rare example of a sand-gravel prairie in full fall bloom. Volunteers will work with FMR Lead Ecologist Karen Schik in the natural area most recently added to the Sand Coulee Scientific & Natural Area. Seed will be used for further habitat restoration. This is especially important as the Sand Coulee provides a home to 13 rare plant and animal species.
Previous seed collection experience is not required, all are welcome. However, this activity is very detail-oriented, and generally best suited for teenagers and up. (Learn more about FMR volunteer seed collection events here.)
This event is part of the Vermillion Stewards program, providing opportunities for hands-on stewardship of this unique cold prairie river and its watershed.
Ready to register?
To sign up and receive precise directions to the meeting spot, contact FMR Volunteer Coordinator Amy Kilgore via the contact form (please select Amy by name from the staff list under “Category”) or at akilgore@fmr.org, 651-222-2193 x31. Please include the name of the event, your name, address and phone number and the number in your party. If you’re under 18 and interested in volunteering without the company of your parent or guardian, please take a moment and have them fill out this brief minor permission form.
To ensure a high-quality experience, capacity is limited and pre-registration required. Registration closes Wednesday, September 27, or upon reaching capacity.
You will receive a confirmation email with details and directions from akilgore@fmr.org within two business days. (If you don’t, please check your SPAM folder.) Amy is typically in the office M-Th.
Join Friends of the Mississippi River and Hastings Environmental Protectors for a unique island cleanup.
Spring Lake Park stretches around the bend of the Mississippi River. After meeting in the Dakota County park, where FMR has been restoring habitat for over 10 years, volunteers will be shuttled to the nearby islands by boat to pick up trash.
As always, all are welcome and encouraged to work at their own comfort level. Due to wet island conditions, waterproof knee or muck boots are highly encouraged. Bags and gloves will be provided.
Following the cleanup, a light lunch will be provided for all volunteers courtesy of Hastings Environmental Protectors.
Ready to register?
To sign up and receive precise directions to the meeting spot, contact FMR Volunteer Coordinator Amy Kilgore via the contact form (please select Amy by name from the staff list under “Category”) or at akilgore@fmr.org, 651-222-2193 x31. Please include the name of the event, your name, address and phone number and the number in your party. If you’re under 18 and interested in volunteering without the company of your parent or guardian, please take a moment and have them fill out this brief minor permission form.
To ensure a high-quality experience, capacity is limited and pre-registration required. Registration closes Thursday, October 5, or upon reaching capacity.
You will receive a confirmation email with details and directions from akilgore@fmr.org within two business days. (If you don’t, please check your SPAM folder.) Amy is typically in the office M-Th.
Local experts from the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization will highlight important trends and emerging issues facing the subwatershed, as well as potential solutions. The presentation will focus in on two main concerns, water volume and sediment issues in the Vermillion River.
Next, hear from FMR’s Stewardship Program Manager Adam Flett on actions you can take to make your home, lawn and community more water friendly.
Following the presentation, we’ll have an informal Q & A session. To make sure everyone has a chance to ask questions, and due to limited seating, capacity is limited and advance registration required.
