VRWJPO will be hosting an activity booth at the annual Party in the Park for the City of Hastings, at Levee Park on the Mississippi.

The event will be canceled in case of bad weather.

Visit with VRWJPO and environmental partners at the Dakota County Fair’s Natural Resources Building, August 5-11, 2024.

Virtual meeting access will be posted here when available.

Twin Cities Trout Unlimited needs 14 volunteers to help improve stream habitat for trout.

What Will We Be Doing

This will be Day 1 of a unique 2 Day effort. You can also, if so desired, sign up for Day 2 (a separate sign-up for Saturday, Aug. 24).

Under the direction of Mark Nemeth of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, we will be harvesting & hauling cedar trees to a trailer, then delivering to the South Branch Vermillion Aquatic Management Area. The trees will be used to protect the banks of several areas on the river. We will also be doing some reseeding where we cut the trees.

The Plan

Meet at the start time at the parking lot of the AMA. We will carpool to the Vermillion Highlands area to cut trees, re-seed, and haul the trees back to the AMA.

What You Should Bring

• Long pants
• Long sleeve shirt
• Sunblock
• Heavy work gloves
• Water

What TCTU & the DNR Will Provide

• All equipment
• Bug spray
• LUNCH after we’re all done working

Registration will end 24 hours before the event for an accurate headcount.

Twin Cities Trout Unlimited needs 20 volunteers to help improve stream habitat for trout.

Under direction from Mark Nemeth of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, we will be installing cedar trees (cut during the event the day before) in sections of the river to protect the stream banks from erosion.

The Plan

• Meet at the start time at the parking lot of the South Branch Vermillion River Aquatic Management Area.
• We will haul and install cedars at several locations in the river.

What You Should Bring

• Chest waders (in water work) or be prepared to wet wade
• Long sleeve shirt
• Sunblock
• Heavy work gloves
• Water

What the DNR & TCTU Will Provide

• All equipment
• Bug spray
• LUNCH after we’re all done working

Registration will close 24 hours before the event for an accurate list of participants.

Virtual meeting access will be posted here when available.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) Smart Salting training helps improve salt effectiveness and reduces chloride pollution. It also keeps surfaces safe and prevents chloride contamination in water bodies. Dakota County hosts Smart Salting Training at no cost to participants.

In the course, you will learn to:

• Reduce indoor and outdoor salt damage
• Use sustainable practices
• Manage liability and hidden costs of salt use on properties
• Look at winter maintenance strategies to discover improvement areas

New MS4 permit chloride requirements will be reviewed. Attendees can meet MPCA Level 1 Certification in Snow and Ice Control Best Practices. Certification is valid for two years. Session is online. Register by Sept. 30.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) Smart Salting training helps improve salt effectiveness and reduces chloride pollution. It also keeps surfaces safe and prevents chloride contamination in water bodies. Dakota County hosts Smart Salting Training at no cost to participants.

In this course, participants will learn how to integrate science with practical winter maintenance while minimizing impacts on the environment.

• Audience: private winter maintenance companies and city park, hospital, and school winter maintenance professionals
• Upon completion of training and passing the test issued at the end of training, you will earn a Smart Salting certification that expires five years from the date of training.