VRWJPO at Dakota County Fair
Visit with VRWJPO and environmental partners at the Dakota County Fair’s Natural Resources Building, August 5-11, 2024.
Native Seed Collection at Vermillion River Linear Park – with Friends of the Mississippi River
Gathering the seeds of native plants in order to be able to restore other areas to more natural habitats is important work. It’s also a very enjoyable and educational activity. Come and learn more about the native plants in our area parks.
After a brief introduction and training, volunteers will collect native prairie seeds on the restored sandy-soil prairie. The FMR land conservation team will redistribute the seed to areas of nearby Vermillion Falls Park that have lower plant diversity. This seeding will help improve habitat for pollinators and grassland birds.
All are welcome, however capacity is limited, and registration is required. All supplies and training will be provided, and volunteers will work closely with FMR staff. This event is part of the Vermillion Stewards program, engaging Vermillion River Watershed residents to learn about the local watershed while working to protect and enhance its unique natural resources.
Space is limited, so sign up today!
Volunteer for Winter Salt Week – Jan. 27-31
Join Dakota County and local watershed organizations in sampling for chloride in water. Stop by a Dakota County Library branch to pick up sampling materials and learn how you can use less salt and reduce chloride pollution while staying safe this winter.
Chloride levels in Minnesota’s lakes, rivers and groundwater are increasing over time, largely attributed to overuse of de-icing salt. One teaspoon of salt pollutes five gallons of water, with no feasible way to remove it. Salt damages property and the environment, harms aquatic species and impacts drinking water quality.
With friends or family, collect a water sample from a local lake, stream, or wetland and test it for chloride using the Izaak Walton League of America’s Salt Watch Kit. Choose any Dakota County library and sign up to collect testing supplies at that location Jan. 27 – 31.
Your testing kit will include a list and map of streams, ponds or wetlands near the libraries where you can collect a water sample from. Report the data/share the results to the Clean Water Hub. All materials needed and instructions will be provided by the county.
Participating library branches include:
- Burnhaven Library (Burnsville)
- Farmington Library (Farmington)
- Galaxie Library (Apple Valley)
- Heritage Library (Lakeville)
- Inver Glen Library (Inver Grove Heights)
- Kaposia Library (South St. Paul)
- Pleasant Hill Library (Hastings)
- Robert Trail Library (Rosemount)
- Wentworth Library (West St. Paul)
- Wescott Library (Eagan)
While at your favorite Dakota County library:
- Browse book displays on winter topics. Pick up a bookmark with the book lists.
- Have fun on a scavenger hunt.
- Learn how to be a Smart Salter and pick up a cup to use the right amount of salt if it is needed.
- Know what watershed you live in and how you can help protect local water resources.
- Kids activities include Salty Dawg activity book, temporary tattoos, origami and buttons!
- Learn from Salty Dawg and take the pledge to be a Smart Salter. Find more information about the pledge at all library branches and on the Dakota County website
More information about Winter Salt Week
Winter Salt Week is January 27-31, 2025. This event is a collaboration of governmental and non-governmental organizations across the United States and Canada. Winter salt use damages infrastructure and threatens the health of lakes, streams and drinking water. The goal of the event is to engage with Minnesotans on chloride pollution in your community and continue ‘working to keep freshwater fresh.’
Visit www.wintersaltweek.org for more information and to learn about the daily webinars including Minnesota speakers providing public works perspectives and presenting on the policy solutions panel.
Program Contact
Lindsey Albright, Monitoring and Outreach Coordinator, Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District – lindsey.albright@co.dakota.mn.us
Winter safety tips:
- Wait until roads are safe to travel before driving to a sample location.
- Wear crampons or shoes with good traction.
- Approach water where the ground is flat and not slippery.
- NEVER walk on the ice over the water.
- Sample where ice is thin enough to easily break through and reachable from a stable spot on the bank.
- When in doubt, come back when conditions improve.
General safety tips:
- Wear fluorescent clothing when sampling during hunting season or along a roadway.
- Dress appropriately for weather conditions.
- Be sure to sample on public property or secure landowner permission first.
- Park carefully when sampling near a roadway.
- Go with a partner or make sure someone knows where you are going and when you are expected to return.
Lakeville Earth Day Celebration and Watershed Cleanup
Bring your family, your neighbors and friends! Fun for all ages! Followed by the annual Watershed Cleanup.
Visit the various education stations and learn about what you can do to help make a difference for the Earth. The education stations include information on the following:
- Aquatic invasive species
- Prairies
- Pollinators
- Recycling
- Water quality
- Watersheds (that’s us)
- And more!
As you visit the stations, you will earn the chance to get Earth-friendly prizes and are sure to have lots of fun along the way.
Other activities include:
- The Zoomobile
- Puppet shows
- Garden tool swap: If you’re in need of new-to-you gardening tools or looking to get rid of excess (but still useful) gardening tools, there will be a garden tool swap at the entrance of the event where you can leave and take what you would like.
Watershed Cleanup Information
You and/or your group can start cleaning on April 26 at 1 p.m., or you can schedule a more convenient time, as long as it is before dark on May 4, 2025. Sign up using the online form here. The deadline to register is Monday, April 21, 2025.
Indicate on the map at the bottom of the form where you plan on picking up trash. Specific locations will not be assigned, but by placing the pin on your main route or area, it will help others know someone is there. Numbers on the map indicate the number of participants in that area. If on the day of your cleanup your area looks clean, we hope you will consider picking up in an area that can use it. To place your location pin on the map and officially sign up, you will need to know your group’s t-shirt sizes and estimate how many bags you will need
Take the trash you’ve collected to local dumpster drop-off locations. Information will be sent out on the dumpster locations closer to the event. Please don’t leave bags along the curb or in parks. If you find items that are too heavy to deal with (furniture, tires, etc.), report that by sending an email to environmental@lakevillemn.gov.
