The Scott Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is excited to host speaker Dr. Elaine Evans to talk about what’s happening with Minnesota’s state bee: The rusty patched bumble bee.

The Scott SWCD has been awarded funding through the State’s Lawns to Legumes Program to restore critical habitat for the endangered rusty patched bumble bee. Scott SWCD staff will give an overview of funding opportunities while Dr. Elaine Evans from the University of Minnesota discusses why these bees are so important.

This free educational webinar will go over:

• How to identify the rusty patched bumble bee and their role as a critical pollinator species
• The life cycle and behaviors of the rusty patched bumble bee
• What’s being done to protect them
• How you can help expand their habitat and beautify your property with Lawns to Legumes grants

Dr. Elaine Evans holds a PhD in Entomology and works as an Associate Extension Professor at the University of Minnesota Bee Lab in the Department of Entomology. They handle questions related to bee conservation and are currently monitoring the population of the endangered rusty patched bumble bee.

Join us for an open house celebrating of the work of Minnesota Water Steward volunteers!

Newly certified Stewards, seasoned Stewards, program partners, and supporters are all welcome!

Come explore the capstone projects of graduating stewards, share your own projects, network with your fellow Stewards, and spend the evening in the good company of others working to improve the health of our waters. This is a fun and casual event with speakers, best management practice tours, and a food truck, all to celebrate Stewards and their efforts.

This event is free, but capacity is somewhat limited so please RSVP on the Freshwater website.

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

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

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

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

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

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.