Join us for a Garden Maintenance Class that will provide season specific information on how to maintain and promote the health, performance, and beauty of your garden. The Garden Maintenance Class applies to raingarden, native garden, and native shoreline planting projects and will be held live virtually.

Thursday, March 6, 2025
5 – 6 p.m. with time for questions after the presentation

The Garden Maintenance Class is provided FREE and open to all – Dakota County residency is not required.

Attend a virtual or in-person introduction class to learn about creating beautiful gardens that help keep water clean.

Creating landscaped areas with native plants or gardens that soak up rainwater is the secret to leisurely living in great-looking yards. Attend a Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction to Clean Water class to see how others in your city have created landscaped areas that benefit local lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Choose one of five dates and locations, all from 6-7 p.m.:

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20

Burnsville City Hall

MONDAY, MARCH 10

Apple Valley Municipal Center

MONDAY, APRIL 7

Dakota Lodge, West St. Paul

TUESDAY, MAY 6

Online Via Zoom

MONDAY, JUNE 2

Farmington Library

Pre-registration for the free class is required. Please visit www.DAKOTASWCD.org to register. Registration is open to everyone, Dakota County residency not required. Contact Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation district at 651-480-7777 or LCW@co.dakota.mn.us with any questions!

After seeing dozens of affordable designs that have transformed bland urban landscapes to beautiful retreats, participants can attend a Landscaping for Clean Water design course where you will receive guidance to create a design for your yard.

For more information about Landscaping for Clean Water go to www.DAKOTASWCD.org.

Bring private well water samples in a clean container to get your water tested for nitrates. Get your questions answered by well and groundwater experts from Dakota County Environmental Resources. Water-themed coloring pages and activities will be provided for children. All are welcome.

The Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course helps residents like you create and install beautiful landscaping projects that are unique to your yard! This course is a great opportunity to learn about garden planning from the experts, whether you are interested in finding out about site design, plant selection, raingarden installation, or adding native plants to the landscape.

After completing the Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction Class, you are eligible to enroll in the Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course. While the class is open to anyone, the $250 cost share grants are only available to Dakota County residents and Lower Mississippi River Watershed Maintenance Organization residents in Ramsey County.

Design Course Online Learning Materials will be provided to all participants for project planning at home. In addition, there are six in-person Design Course options in two 2-hour blocks or one 4-hour block.

There is a $25 registration fee for the Design Course that includes a copy of the Blue Thumb Guide to Raingardens book, a Design Folder including aerial property maps, design tools, online instruction materials, and one-on-one help.

Are you a returning Design Course participant? Register again for the Design Course and the FEE is WAIVED!

The Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course helps residents like you create and install beautiful landscaping projects that are unique to your yard! This course is a great opportunity to learn about garden planning from the experts, whether you are interested in finding out about site design, plant selection, raingarden installation, or adding native plants to the landscape.

After completing the Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction Class, you are eligible to enroll in the Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course. While the class is open to anyone, the $250 cost share grants are only available to Dakota County residents and Lower Mississippi River Watershed Maintenance Organization residents in Ramsey County.

Design Course Online Learning Materials will be provided to all participants for project planning at home. In addition, there are six in-person Design Course options in two 2-hour blocks or one 4-hour block.

There is a $25 registration fee for the Design Course that includes a copy of the Blue Thumb Guide to Raingardens book, a Design Folder including aerial property maps, design tools, online instruction materials, and one-on-one help.

Are you a returning Design Course participant? Register again for the Design Course and the FEE is WAIVED!

 Under the expert eye of Mark Nemeth of the Minnesota DNR, Twin Cities Trout Unlimited (TCTU) will cut invasive buckthorn and other species and treat stumps to prevent regrowth. TCTU needs 20 volunteers for this event.

The Plan

• Meet at the start time at the parking lot of the South Branch Vermillion River Aquatic Management Area (AMA).
• Sign waivers, drink some coffee and then get to work cutting, treating stumps and stacking brush!

What You Should Bring

• Chest waders (in water work) or be prepared to wet wade
• Long sleeve shirt
• Sunblock
• Heavy work gloves
• Drinking water!

What the DNR & TCTU Will Provide

• All equipment
• Bug spray
• LUNCH afterwards

Please check your email the night before and morning of the event in case of cancellation.

Registration will close 24 hours before the event.

Attend a virtual or in-person introduction class to learn about creating beautiful gardens that help keep water clean.

Creating landscaped areas with native plants or gardens that soak up rainwater is the secret to leisurely living in great-looking yards. Attend a Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction to Clean Water class to see how others in your city have created landscaped areas that benefit local lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Choose one of five dates and locations, all from 6-7 p.m.:

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20

Burnsville City Hall

MONDAY, MARCH 10

Apple Valley Municipal Center

MONDAY, APRIL 7

Dakota Lodge, West St. Paul

TUESDAY, MAY 6

Online Via Zoom

MONDAY, JUNE 2

Farmington Library

Pre-registration for the free class is required. Please visit www.DAKOTASWCD.org to register. Registration is open to everyone, Dakota County residency not required. Contact Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation district at 651-480-7777 or LCW@co.dakota.mn.us with any questions!

After seeing dozens of affordable designs that have transformed bland urban landscapes to beautiful retreats, participants can attend a Landscaping for Clean Water design course where you will receive guidance to create a design for your yard.

For more information about Landscaping for Clean Water go to www.DAKOTASWCD.org.

The Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course helps residents like you create and install beautiful landscaping projects that are unique to your yard! This course is a great opportunity to learn about garden planning from the experts, whether you are interested in finding out about site design, plant selection, raingarden installation, or adding native plants to the landscape.

After completing the Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction Class, you are eligible to enroll in the Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course. While the class is open to anyone, the $250 cost share grants are only available to Dakota County residents and Lower Mississippi River Watershed Maintenance Organization residents in Ramsey County.

Design Course Online Learning Materials will be provided to all participants for project planning at home. In addition, there are six in-person Design Course options in two 2-hour blocks or one 4-hour block.

There is a $25 registration fee for the Design Course that includes a copy of the Blue Thumb Guide to Raingardens book, a Design Folder including aerial property maps, design tools, online instruction materials, and one-on-one help.

Are you a returning Design Course participant? Register again for the Design Course and the FEE is WAIVED!