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.

Virtual access can be found here:

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://dakotacountymn.zoom.us/j/95332347417?pwd=M3BRU2ZJRjZ1UENvenVFS1JiVmkzQT09
Passcode: 659838
Or One tap mobile :
US: +16513728299,,95332347417#,,,,*659838#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 651 372 8299
Webinar ID: 953 3234 7417
Passcode: 659838
International numbers available: https://dakotacountymn.zoom.us/u/ac5aEiM9Fb

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 us for a Garden Maintenance workshop providing season specific information on how to maintain and promote the health, performance, and beauty of your garden. Maintenance workshops apply to raingarden, native garden, or native shoreline planting projects.

2022 Maintenance Workshops

• Thursday, March 24 – 5:00 p.m.
• Monday, April 25 – 5:00 p.m.

The Garden Maintenance Workshops are provided FREE and open to all – Dakota County residency is not required!

Zoom access:

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://dakotacountymn.zoom.us/j/94964599772?pwd=YUU0K09hOHYrRmF6WWZRaGd6TXkrQT09

Passcode: 923942

Or One tap mobile :

US: +16513728299,,94964599772#,,,,*923942#

Or Telephone:

Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

US: +1 651 372 8299

Webinar ID: 949 6459 9772

Passcode: 923942

International numbers available: https://dakotacountymn.zoom.us/u/aeTWn3Vfw

For free testing, bring a water sample to the free walk-in clinic at the Scott County Fairgrounds in Jordan. This event is supported by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Scott Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and is held in conjunction with the Scott SWCD tree pickup and seedling sale. This clinic is free and open to the public; no appointments are necessary.

How to take your sample

1. Run the cold tap faucet for 3 minutes.

2. Collect about one cup of water in a plastic baggie (double bagged) or a clean disposable water bottle/glass jar.

3. Collect the water anytime within 24 hours of the clinic and keep the water cool.

Bring your friends and family to help clean up the Lakeville area and celebrate Earth Day. The Earth Day celebration runs from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., with cleanup before or after.

Register here.