You’re invited to an open house to learn, interact, and have questions answered about natural resource management improvements along two Dakota County Greenway Trails. These plans outline ecological restoration, invasive species management, and pollinator plantings in public lands along these trails.

You’re invited to an open house to learn, interact, and have questions answered about natural resource management improvements along two Dakota County Greenway Trails. These plans outline ecological restoration, invasive species management, and pollinator plantings in public lands along these trails.

Join the Vermillion Stewards in distributing native seed and removing garlic mustard at Vermillion River Linear Park in Hastings. Friends of the Mississippi River staff will provide instructions. Please contact Sophie Downey to register. FMR requests limiting groups to 4 or fewer.

Join the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization and the City of Farmington to clear out invasive buckthorn around the Vermillion River! Meet at 10 a.m. at the pavilion at Rambling River Park for instructions. Please bring your own tools (loppers, pruners, gloves, safety glasses) and dress appropriately.

Register ahead of time at https://www.vermillionriverwatershed.org/signup-form-buckthorn-removal-at-rambling-river-park/ so we can have a head count. Everyone is welcome – you do not have to live in Farmington to participate.

Come for the beautiful waterfall and stay to join FMR staff and fellow volunteers in hauling previously cut buckthorn and honeysuckle. You’ll help us prepare the area for oak savanna restoration at this unique site.

This MPCA Smart Salting Certification Training is an opportunity to learn more efficient winter maintenance best practices (BMPs) while taking a comprehensive look at the many aspects for managing snow & ice on parking lots and sidewalks. The training will also cover the new chloride requirements in the recently released MS4 permit, as well as resources available to help you reduce your salt use.

The training will be held in-person.

Who should attend?

• Hands-on public or private winter maintenance staff
• Those who hire or supervise winter maintenance staff
• Private contractors
• Those who may influence others or are interested in making a difference at work

What you’ll learn:

• Environmental impacts of chloride
• Equipment calibration
• Using weather condition info more efficiently
• Application rates
• Plowing and physical removal
• BMPs for storing materials
• De-icing and anti-icing
• Regulatory issues and managing liability
• Customer and staff educational resources
• Success stories

Earn the MPCA Smart Salting for Parking Lots & Sidewalks certification by taking the optional online test at the end of training and be listed on the MPCA Smart Salting webpage. Certificates are sent to Minnesota participants only and are valid for 5 years.

MPCA permittees are allowed registration preference. If the training exceeds capacity, those that are not permittees will be put on a waitlist and notified accordingly.

Training questions? Contact the MPCA Smart Salting Training Program smartsalting.pca@state.mn.us.

This training is hosted by Dakota County and the MPCA Chloride Reduction Program. with Clean Water Fund and the Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund.