Landscaping for Clean Water Shoreline Course @ Mendota Heights City Hall

Apr 13 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Landscaping for Clean Water Shoreline Course

Categories: Events Outreach Workshop Tags: Dakota County SWCD landscaping for clean water native plants planting for clean water turfgrass maintenance water quality

Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course @ Apple Valley Municipal Center McIntosh Training Room

Tickets

May 12 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

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

Categories: Events Outreach Workshop Tags: Apple Valley Dakota County SWCD landscaping for clean water Master Water Stewards native plants planting for clean water SWCD Vermillion River Watershed water quality

Public Meeting: Alimagnet Lake alum treatment @ Burnsville City Hall, Dakota Room in lower level

Tickets

Jul 20 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Public Meeting: Alimagnet Lake Feasibility Study

This spring and summer, the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) is leading an Alimagnet Lake alum (aluminum sulfate) treatment feasibility study. City of Burnsville and City of Apple Valley natural resources staff are also participating in the process. VRWJPO has hired a consultant, Barr Engineering, to conduct field work, analyze data and help put together the final feasibility report. This report is expected to be completed in July. We are hosting a public meeting on July 20, 2023 where the findings of the report will be presented.

What is an alum treatment?

An alum treatment is a common water quality improvement practice in shallow lakes that have excessive phosphorus and poor water clarity as a result of algae growth. Often times phosphorus is released into the water column from lake bottom sediments during the summer months. When alum is added to the water, it attaches to phosphorus and falls to the bottom of the lake, preventing it from feeding algae and improving water clarity. Increased clarity following alum treatments can also lead to increased aquatic plant growth, which help to keep phosphorus levels in check.

One of the first steps in planning for a potential alum treatment is to conduct a feasibility study, which will determine whether Alimagnet Lake is a good candidate for the treatment, and if it is, how to most effectively apply alum in the lake, and the estimated costs. The study will also look at alternative solutions to improve water quality, other than an alum treatment.

At the public meeting, there will be a short presentation to present the findings of the study and then time for attendees to ask questions or provide feedback on the findings. If alum treatment is determined to be a feasible option for Alimagnet Lake, VRWJPO would anticipate applying for a grant in late summer of 2023 to obtain funding to complete the work. No treatment would occur prior to 2024.

If you have any questions regarding the public meeting, please feel free to contact Caleb at 952-895-4543 or caleb.ashling@burnsvillemn.gov.

Categories: Events Meetings Tags: Alimagnet Apple Valley Burnsville public meeting Vermillion River Watershed Water treatment

Special meeting for watershed tour: Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board @ GrandStay Hotel

Tickets

Aug 23 @ 7:30 am – 5:00 pm

Special meeting – Watershed tour: Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board

The Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board is having a special meeting for a bus tour of conservation practices and projects. The tour is being held jointly by the Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources and partners within the Vermillion River Watershed. It begins at the GrandStay Hotel in Apple Valley, MN at 7:30 a.m., running until about 5 p.m.

Contact Valerie Neppl with questions – (952) 891-7019 or valerie.neppl@co.dakota.mn.us.

Categories: Events Meetings Tags: board meeting tour Vermillion River Watershed VRWJPB

Public meeting: VRWJPO 2026-2035 Watershed Management Plan @ Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center Conference Rm. 1-2

Tickets

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 220^th 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.

Categories: Events Meetings Outreach Workshop Tags: public meeting Vermillion River Watershed Watershed Plan

Special meeting: Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board @ Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center Conference Rm. 1-2

Tickets

Oct 12 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Special meeting – Watershed plan: Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board

The Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board is holding a special meeting on October 12, 2023 for the initial planning public meeting for the 2026-2035 Vermillion River Watershed Plan development, from 4-6 p.m. at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center.

Categories: Events Meetings Tags: board meeting tour Vermillion River Watershed VRWJPB

Community Conversation – Vermillion River Watershed Plan @ Lakeville Water Treatment Facility

Tickets

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!

Categories: Events Meetings Outreach Tags: Lakeville public meeting Vermillion River Watershed water quality Watershed Plan

Community Conversation – Vermillion River Watershed Plan @ Pleasant Hill Library

Tickets

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!

Categories: Events Meetings Outreach Tags: Hastings public meeting Vermillion River Watershed water quality Watershed Plan