- Categories
-
Tags
"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
![Landscaping for Clean Water Intro Course @ Virtual](https://www.vermillionriverwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/LCW-Logo-Final-white-background-300x218.png)
Landscaping for Clean Water Introductory Course
The Introduction to Clean Water class focuses on general water quality practices of raingardens, native gardens, and shoreline stabilization.
Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District staff will provide an overview of Minnesota’s watersheds and our local water quality challenges, providing beautiful and practical ways to improve pollinator habitat and reduce runoff pollutants from your yard that might be contributing to water quality issues.
The Intro to Clean Water class is FREE, and registration is open to everyone – Dakota County residency not required. You only need to attend or view the Intro to Clean Water class one time – no need to repeat in future years if you want to enroll in the Design Course!
![Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course @ Apple Valley Municipal Center McIntosh Training Room](https://www.vermillionriverwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/LCW-Logo-Final-white-background-300x218.png)
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 |
![Landscaping for Clean Water Intro Course @ Virtual](https://www.vermillionriverwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/LCW-Logo-Final-white-background-300x218.png)
Landscaping for Clean Water Introductory Course
The Introduction to Clean Water class focuses on general water quality practices of raingardens, native gardens, and shoreline stabilization.
Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District staff will provide an overview of Minnesota’s watersheds and our local water quality challenges, providing beautiful and practical ways to improve pollinator habitat and reduce runoff pollutants from your yard that might be contributing to water quality issues.
The Intro to Clean Water class is FREE, and registration is open to everyone – Dakota County residency not required. You only need to attend or view the Intro to Clean Water class one time – no need to repeat in future years if you want to enroll in the Design Course!
Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) Public Meeting and Open House on Update of the 10-Year Watershed Management Plan
Notice is hereby given that the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) will hold a public meeting at 4 p.m. on October 12, 2023, at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center (4100 220th Street West, Farmington, MN) in Conference Room 1 & 2 to discuss watershed management issues and priorities that stakeholders and the public want included in the 2026 update of the Vermillion River Watershed Management Plan. A presentation and discussion will take place at 4 p.m., followed by an open house until 6 p.m. to allow interested parties to find out more about the watershed’s goals and activities.
A summary of the issues and priorities identified to date will be provided during the meeting. Interested parties are encouraged to bring their questions, ideas, and concerns about watershed management to the meeting. The feedback will be documented and used to develop the 2026-2035 Watershed Plan. Special accommodations at the public meeting can be obtained by contacting Brita Moore-Kutz at (952) 891-7967 or brita.moore-kutz@co.dakota.mn.us.
Agencies, groups, or persons attending the public meeting or open house will have the opportunity to provide written or oral comments. Prior to the public meeting, written comments may be addressed to the VRWJPO, 4100 220th St. West #103, Farmington, MN 55024, or emailed to Brita Moore-Kutz at brita.moore-kutz@co.dakota.mn.us or Melissa Bokman-Ermer at mbokman@co.scott.mn.us.
Community Conversation – Lakeville
The Vermillion River Watershed invites you to attend our first round of Community Conversations in January! This is your opportunity to learn about the watershed, comment on goals, share concerns, and inform the watershed’s next generation management plan.
Come at 5 p.m. for a short introduction about the watershed from Administrator Travis Thiel; or stop by any time before 7 p.m. to enjoy snacks, get refreshed at the Water Bar, and chat with staff. Kid-friendly activity stations will be available to occupy little ones, so feel free to bring the family. Participants who provide feedback will be eligible to spin a prize wheel to win a $10 gift card to Fluegel’s, Fleet Farm, or Target, among other prizes!
Community Conversation – Hastings
The Vermillion River Watershed invites you to attend our first round of Community Conversations in January! This is your opportunity to learn about the watershed, comment on goals, share concerns, and inform the watershed’s next generation management plan.
Come at 5 p.m. for a short introduction about the watershed from Administrator Travis Thiel; or stop by any time before 7 p.m. to enjoy snacks, get refreshed at the Water Bar, and chat with staff. Kid-friendly activity stations will be available to occupy little ones, so feel free to bring the family. Participants who provide feedback will be eligible to spin a prize wheel to win a $10 gift card to Fluegel’s, Fleet Farm, or Target, among other prizes!
![TCTU Event: South Branch Vermillion River Habitat Day @ South Branch of the Vermillion River State Aquatic Management Area](https://www.vermillionriverwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Brown_trout_pair1-300x216.jpg)
South Branch Vermillion River Habitat Day
Join Twin Cities Trout Unlimited as they help the DNR improve the Vermillion River and this Aquatic Management Area for wildlife and anglers.
Work will include:
-Removing buckthorn, honeysuckle and other invasive species
-Pulling debris out of the water
-Picking up trash
Bring heavy work gloves and a willingness to work hard and maybe get wet!