Jun
28
Tue
2016
Make Your Own Rain Barrel Workshop @ Apple Valley Senior Center
Jun 28 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Join Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) for a Make and Take Rain Barrel Workshop on Tuesday, June 28, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Apple Valley Senior Center. A rain barrel is a simple, high-impact way to save water and protect water quality in lakes and rivers. The cost of materials for building your own rain barrel is only $35, thanks to donated barrels from Coca-Cola Refreshments of Eagan. Pre-registration is required.

Aug
22
Tue
2017
Make & Take Rain Barrel Workshop @ Dakota County Fairgrounds
Aug 22 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Make your own rain barrel

It’s easy, make and take a rain barrel.

What’s one of the simplest, high-impact ways to save water and help protect our watershed? Using a make & take rain barrel.

The workshop will begin with a presentation on how home lawn and garden practices impact our waters and how we can make a difference. Next we’’ll discuss the watershed-friendly benefits of rain barrels in more detail, then review how to build, incorporate, install and maintain them.

With guidance from Friends of the Mississippi River staff, participants will then build their very own rain barrel to take home following the workshop. Participants will receive the necessary parts ($35 per kit) and  be guided through the process of converting used syrup barrels from Coca-Cola into a rain barrel to take home and install.

Aug
21
Tue
2018
Make & Take Rain Barrel Workshop @ Dakota County Fairgrounds
Aug 21 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Make your own rain barrel

It’s easy, make and take a rain barrel.

What’s one of the simplest, high-impact ways to save water and help protect our watershed? Using a rain barrel.

The workshop will begin with a presentation on how home lawn and garden practices impact our waters and how we can make a difference. Next, we’’ll discuss the watershed-friendly benefits of rain barrels in more detail, then review how to build, incorporate, install and maintain them.

With guidance from Friends of the Mississippi River staff, participants will then build their very own rain barrel to take home following the workshop. Participants will receive the necessary parts ($35 per kit) and  be guided through the process of converting used syrup barrels from Great Lakes Coca-Cola of Eagan, into a rain barrel to take home and install.

May
12
Fri
2023
Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course @ Apple Valley Municipal Center McIntosh Training Room
May 12 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course @ Apple Valley Municipal Center McIntosh Training Room

Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course

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

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.

In 2023, the Design Course Online Learning Materials will be provided to all participants for project planning at home. In addition, we are offering three in-person Design Course options this year:

IN-PERSON DESIGN COURSE OPTIONS

  • Tuesday/Thursday – April 18/20
    Burnsville City Hall
    6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
  • Friday – May 12
    Apple Valley Municipal Center
    12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday/Thursday – June 20/22
    Mendota Heights Fire Station
    6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

There is a $25.00 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 and 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!

APPLY FOR A $250 GARDEN GRANT!

At the end of the Design Course you will have a complete garden project planned and ready to install. You then have the opportunity to apply for a $250 cost share grant, funded by Dakota County watershed organizations. The grant (paid at completion of project) includes in-person site visits at your property and technical assistance from our staff available to you throughout the installation process.

The 2023 grants will be awarded in three rounds, as follows:

2023 Application Date Project Completion
Round 1 April 26, 2023 July 21, 2023
Round 2 May 31, 2023 August 25, 2023
Round 3 July 12, 2023 October 6, 2023