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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. 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 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 Kevin Smith Lake Marion Lakeville landscape for the river landscaping for clean water lawn and garden lawns 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 redevelopment rosemount salt sand coulee SNA Schaar's Bluff Gathering Center scientific and natural area scott swcd 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
Lawns Reimagined Pilot Program
Have you ever looked out at your lawn and thought, “sure would be nice to water less often, reduce the need to fertilize, and spend less time mowing”? Well, we’ve got the program for you! Our new program – Lawns Reimagined – assists landowners in installing a more resilient lawn to reduce water and fertilizer use, and cut down on mowing frequency during the growing season.
Lawns Reimagined is a new program provided through a partnership between the Dakota SWCD, Dakota County, and the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization. The goal of the program is to create healthy looking lawns using deeper rooted grasses that are more resilient to weather conditions and climate change while maintaining traditional turfgrass lawn uses.
These lawns will be composed of fescue grass blends that require little to no watering or fertilizer post-establishment; reducing the impact lawns have on the groundwater supply and decreasing nutrient loss to waterbodies through runoff and lawn clippings. It is recommended to reduce mowing frequency which results in reduced carbon emissions from lawn mowers and healthier air at a local level.
The Dakota SWCD will be hosting two workshops for Dakota County residents:
* June 5 in Apple Valley (Municipal Center) at 6 p.m.
* June 12 in Rosemount (Steeple Center) at 6 p.m.
At the workshops, participants will learn about the benefits of an alternative lawn type, along with technical guidance on site preparation, seeding, and long-term maintenance. From there, landowners can apply to receive further assistance. Once applicants have been approved, SWCD staff complete a site visit to further guide site preparation, seeding, and answer any additional questions. Landowners then complete the site preparation and Dakota SWCD will provide landowners with the seed to complete a fall seeding. If the participants are willing to do a little work, the cost to them will be minimal to none!
For more details and to sign up for the workshop, check out the Lawns Reimagined webpage!
TCTU Event: Habitat Project on South Branch Vermillion River, Day 1
Twin Cities Trout Unlimited needs 14 volunteers to help improve stream habitat for trout.
What Will We Be Doing
This will be Day 1 of a unique 2 Day effort. You can also, if so desired, sign up for Day 2 (a separate sign-up for Saturday, Aug. 24).
Under the direction of Mark Nemeth of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, we will be harvesting & hauling cedar trees to a trailer, then delivering to the South Branch Vermillion Aquatic Management Area. The trees will be used to protect the banks of several areas on the river. We will also be doing some reseeding where we cut the trees.
The Plan
Meet at the start time at the parking lot of the AMA. We will carpool to the Vermillion Highlands area to cut trees, re-seed, and haul the trees back to the AMA.
What You Should Bring
- Long pants
- Long sleeve shirt
- Sunblock
- Heavy work gloves
- Water
What TCTU & the DNR Will Provide
- All equipment
- Bug spray
- LUNCH after we’re all done working
Registration will end 24 hours before the event for an accurate headcount.
TCTU Event: Habitat Project on South Branch Vermillion River, Day 2
Twin Cities Trout Unlimited needs 20 volunteers to help improve stream habitat for trout.
Under direction from Mark Nemeth of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, we will be installing cedar trees (cut during the event the day before) in sections of the river to protect the stream banks from erosion.
The Plan
- Meet at the start time at the parking lot of the South Branch Vermillion River Aquatic Management Area.
- We will haul and install cedars at several locations in the river.
What You Should Bring
- Chest waders (in water work) or be prepared to wet wade
- Long sleeve shirt
- Sunblock
- Heavy work gloves
- Water
What the DNR & TCTU Will Provide
- All equipment
- Bug spray
- LUNCH after we’re all done working
Registration will close 24 hours before the event for an accurate list of participants.
Meet-a-Stream Day with Minnesota Trout Unlimited
Join MNTU education specialist and long time fly angler, Evan Griggs, at his favorite MNTU habitat project sites. Tour the project site to see how habitat work benefits the stream. Learn about stream ecology by sampling macroinvertebrates to determine water quality and see what the trout are eating. Then we’ll practice our fly fishing skills, like casting and knot tying, before heading out to try and catch some trout.
Our programs are tailored for kids, families, and newer anglers. This is a great way to explore some new fishing spots, understand how our habitat projects benefit trout, and grow your fishing skills! All gear provided and no fishing license or trout stamp are required for participants at these events. For ages 10+, an adult must accompany their minor(s) at all times. If looking to register more than 3 people or have questions, contact Evan Griggs, tic.mntu@gmail.com.
