Oct
27
Thu
2022
Nitrate Clinic for Private Well Owners @ Pleasant Hill Library, Hastings
Oct 27 @ 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Nitrate Clinic for Private Well Owners

Bring private well water samples in a clean container to get your water tested for nitrates. Visit the interactive We are Water MN exhibit while you wait for your results.

Pleasant Hill Library
1490 S. Frontage Roa​d, Hastings
Thursday, Oct. 27, 4:30–6:30 p.m. ​

Nov
25
Fri
2022
Opt Outside: We Are Water MN @ Lebanon Hills Visitor Center
Nov 25 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Opt Outside: We Are Water MN @ Lebanon Hills Visitor Center | Eagan | Minnesota | United States

Opt Outside Day: We Are Water MN

Stop by the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. to stroll along the activity trail or use your GPS or phone app to search for themed geocaches. For older adventurers, take on the annual medallion hunt. This year, the event is part of the We are Water MN Exhibit at Dakota County, a Minnesota Legacy program.

Location

When you arrive, head to the Visitor Center and look for the event information station. Each station includes signs with activity instruction information and take-along guides.

Activities

  • Water is Life Activity Trail: Explore the activity trail and investigate how critters (and other lifeforms) depend on water in interesting ways. The littlest kids will love this stroller-friendly scavenger hunt, searching for critters along a paved trail. All ages (especially fun for ages 6 and younger).
  • Protecting our Waters Geocaching:  Search for the multi-cache and become a water saver superhero as you explore how you can help protect water quality. All ages (especially fun for ages 5 and older). Participants must provide their own smartphone with geocaching app or GPS unit for geocaching activity.
  • Medallion Hunt: Solve clever riddles in our medallion hunt to find the “medallion” hidden somewhere in the park. All ages (especially for ages 10 and older). Riddles will be posted on Facebook, on the Opt Outside event page Nov. 24-25. Riddles will be posted at 8 a.m. and noon on Thursday, Nov. 24 and noon on Friday, Nov. 25.

Medallion finders must post a selfie near the location of the find to the Dakota County Parks – forever wild Facebook page and call the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center at 651-554-6530 to report their find. A fantastic prize package goes to the winner.

Mar
1
Wed
2023
Minnesota Ag-Urban Partnership Forum @ College of St. Benedict - Gorecki Center
Mar 1 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Minnesota Ag-Urban Partnership Forum

Plan to participate in person to learn more about the ways that agricultural and urban partners are working together to prepare for extreme weather events and improve water quality around Minnesota. This fourth annual event will focus on extreme weather resiliency, with keynote speaker, Heidi Roop, Ph.D., director, Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership at the University of Minnesota.

Who should attend?

Agricultural, government, local, and urban partners looking for ideas on how to develop and strengthen their relationships while improving the water quality of Minnesota lakes and streams are encouraged to attend.

Online registration is open. Registrations are requested before Feb. 21, 2023, to help finalize preparations for the event.

Oct
12
Thu
2023
Public meeting: VRWJPO 2026-2035 Watershed Management Plan @ Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center Conference Rm. 1-2
Oct 12 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

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.

Jan
16
Tue
2024
Community Conversation – Vermillion River Watershed Plan @ Lakeville Water Treatment Facility
Jan 16 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

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!

Jan
24
Wed
2024
Community Conversation – Vermillion River Watershed Plan @ Pleasant Hill Library
Jan 24 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

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!

May
4
Sat
2024
TCTU Event: South Branch Vermillion River Habitat Day @ South Branch of the Vermillion River State Aquatic Management Area
May 4 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
TCTU Event: South Branch Vermillion River Habitat Day @ South Branch of the Vermillion River State Aquatic Management Area

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!

Jun
1
Sat
2024
TCTU Event: Vermillion River-Kummer AMA Habitat Day @ DNR Vermillion River Aquatic Management Area (Kummer)
Jun 1 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
TCTU Event: Vermillion River-Kummer AMA Habitat Day @ DNR Vermillion River Aquatic Management Area (Kummer)

Vermillion River-Kummer AMA Habitat Day

This event is part of Twin Cities Trout Unlimited’s Vermillion River Initiative-a focus on protecting and enhancing this cold water stream so near to the Twin Cities! Join us TCTU as they help the DNR continue to restore the Vermillion River & this Aquatic Management Area for wildlife.

Work will include:

-Removing buckthorn, other invasive species and boxelders
-Dragging and dropping the brush into piles
-Picking up any trash we find

Bring heavy work gloves and a willingness to work hard.

There won’t be any in-water work, but we’ll be able to keep our eyes open for trout!

In case this is cancelled, the back-up day will be June 8, same time and place.