Starry Trek Results

On Saturday August 9th, 16 volunteers met at the Thomas Lake Park Pavilion in Eagan to take part in the 8th annual Starry Trek, a statewide aquatic invasive species (AIS) monitoring event focusing on starry stonewort.

This year, volunteers donated 70 hours to monitor 20 lakes and river boat launches in Dakota County. Three new AIS infestations were confirmed with Eurasian watermilfoil found at Schulze Lake (Eagan) and Simley Lake (Inver Grove Heights) and mystery snails at Carlson Lake (Eagan). Both Schulze and Simley will be added to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' (MN DNR) infested waters list. Mystery snail findings do not result in infested waters listings.

Past efforts by Dakota County volunteers have led to the discovery of a new zebra mussel population (2018 - Isabelle), Eurasian watermilfoil findings (2017 - Blackhawk; 2017 - Orchard; 2022 - Thompson), and mystery snails reports at multiple lakes around the county. With the new findings, Dakota County’s total number of new AIS infestations discovered through Starry Trek is at 18 over the past eight years.

Thank you to all the volunteers for their hard work and Dakota County and the City of Eagan for their partnership with this event!

Questions? Contact Lindsey Albright, Monitoring & Outreach Coordinator at 651-480-7783, lindsey.albright@co.dakota.mn.us.

Starry Trek background

Started in 2017, Starry Trek is a statewide volunteer event focused on searching for starry stonewort and other AIS in local lakes and rivers.

Lawns Re-Imagined: From Pilot to Full Flight

Now in its second year, the Dakota SWCD's Lawns Re-Imagined program helps residents convert parts of their traditional lawns to lower maintenance fine fescues.

At our early summer workshops in Eagan and Rosemount, over 100 households learned the process of transitioning their current lawn to one that requires less water, fertilizer, and mowing. Some attendees took the next step, applying for on-site technical assistance from the SWCD and receiving free fine fescue seed and compost. Overall 11 households converted their lawns, putting the two year total at 21 households converting their lawns. Our advice is grounded in University of Minnesota Turfgrass Science research and shaped by experiences of local homeowners who’ve already made the switch.

One of the key lessons from this year? Weed control matters—a lot. While it's always discussed as a part of fine fescue establishment, many participants found that eliminating existing weeds is easier said than done. Our team helped homeowners assess their lawn conditions and plan multiple rounds of weed control before seeding to set themselves up for success.

Another challenge came from the weather. Fall 2024 brought drought conditions, and some participants missed crucial early watering sessions—making it harder for seeds to establish. This year, we emphasized the use of hose-end timers to help automate watering. These affordable devices not only support new lawn establishment but can be reused for other gardening projects—or even loaned to curious neighbors.

Whether your main goal is to use less water, protect groundwater quality, or just cut back on mowing, fine fescues offer a way to take back control of your lawn—without sacrificing appearance or usability. 

Interested in re-imagining your own lawn? Sign up to be notified when the 2026 Lawns Re-Imagined Program opens. Questions? Contact Victoria Ranua, Watershed Coordinator at 651-480-7717, victoria.ranua@co.dakota.mn.us.

Fall fertilizer application considerations

As we approach the end of the crop season, it is important to remember the restrictions that are in place for fall fertilizer applications. 

As a reminder - Part 1 of the Groundwater Protection Rule (GPR) prohibits fall application of commercial nitrogen fertilizer in vulnerable groundwater areas (which includes all course textured soils throughout the county) and prohibits fall application of commercial nitrogen fertilizer anywhere within the Hastings Drinking Water Supply Management Area (DWSMA). Part 2 of the GPR requires farmers to collectively achieve 80% adoption of the Best Management Practices (BMPs) for nitrogen management by 2026.

As we approach the new year, it is important to understand how each farmer’s operation fits within Minnesota Department of Agriculture's (MDA) guidelines. MDA staff continue to offer preliminary evaluations to farmers to assess current practices to see if they are in line with BMPs for nitrogen management. They can also assist in answering questions and provide clarification about the evaluation process.

The Dakota SWCD can also assist farmers in meeting the BMPs for nitrogen. Each farmer’s operation is unique, so it takes a conversation to assess which practices fit best. Farmers may choose to contract with the Dakota SWCD for cover crops, nitrogen inhibitors, split rate nitrogen applications, irrigation water management, or planting green. All these practices can help farmers mitigate risk of nitrate-nitrogen loss to groundwater.

For further information on the Groundwater Protection Rule, or to schedule a pre-evaluation site visit, reach out to MDA staff listed here. For more information on Dakota SWCD cost-share opportunities, contact Dru Larson, SWCD Conservation Technician at 651-480-7782, dru.larson@co.dakota.mn.us.