The Dakota County SWCD (DCSWCD) is excited to welcome a new Resource Conservationist, Elizabeth Asendorf, to our team. In her role, Ellizabeth will focus on both rural and agricultural conservation project design and implementation in the County. She has been with Natural Resources Conservation Service in Chilton, WI for a couple of years, first as a Soil Conservationist and most recently a Natural Resource Specialist. Elizabeth has an Environmental Science degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Please join us in welcoming Elizabeth to the DCSWCD!
2025 Landscaping for Clean Water Program Open for Registration
Landscaping for Clean Water season is upon us! We are once again offering a great variety of both in-person and virtual programming, focusing on creating pollinator habitat and improving local water quality!
Sign up for a Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction Class to learn about native plants and raingardens AND how you can have plans for your spring project before the snow melts!
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20th - Burnsville City Hall
MONDAY, MARCH 10th - Apple Valley Municipal Center
MONDAY, APRIL 7th - Dakota Lodge, West St. Paul
TUESDAY, MAY 6th - Online Via Zoom
MONDAY, JUNE 2nd - Farmington Library
All Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction classes will start at 6:00 pm.
Again in 2025, we are offering a Natural Shoreline Class. Folks living near a lake, stream, pond, and wetland are welcome - as well as those an interest in learning how a natural shoreline installed with native plants can protect the shoreline, beautify the property, and provide habitat for pollinators and aquatic animals
This class is being held on April 14th at 6pm at the Dakota Lodge at Thompson County Park in West St Paul. The class is free to attend, but registration is required.
Join us for a virtual Garden Maintenance Class on Thursday March 6th at 5pm to learn season specific information on how to maintain and promote the health, performance, and beauty of your garden. The Garden Maintenance class applies to raingarden, native garden, and native shoreline planting projects and will be held live via online platform.
The Garden Maintenance Class is provided FREE and open to all – Dakota County residency is not required.
Contact the DCSWCD at LCW@co.dakota.mn.us or (651) 480-7777 with any questions.
2025 Tree Sale
The DCSWCD Tree Sale provides the opportunity for landowners to purchase high quality bare root tree and shrub seedlings at a low cost for urban and rural conservation purposes, such as windbreaks, reforestation, erosion control, and food and cover for wildlife. All purchases should be made online and Dakota County Residency is not required to purchase trees. Tree pick-up is April 23-25, 2025 at the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington.
NEW THIS YEAR! Bundle sizes of 10 and 25 bare-roots ($25-$55) and Mixed Bundles of 10 bare-roots, 5 different species for $35.00! Perfect for backyards!
Salt (or chloride) levels in Minnesota's lakes, rivers and groundwater are getting worse. Part of the problem is due to using too much de-icing salt - just one teaspoon of salt pollutes five gallons of water! Unfortunately, there is no feasible way to remove it. Salt damages property and the environment. It harms aquatic species and impacts drinking water quality.
Winter Salt Week (January 27-31) is a collaboration of governmental and non-governmental organizations across the United States and Canada. The goal of the event is to engage people 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.
Local Salt Week Activities
VOLUNTEER AND OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY! The DCSWCD, Dakota County, and several local watershed organizations have partnered with Dakota County Library to host a chloride volunteer monitoring and outreach campaign. During Salt Week, you can:
Team up with friends or families to collect a water sample from a local lake, stream or wetland. Test it for chloride.
Choose any Dakota County Library location (all 10 are participating!) to pick up a Salt Watch test kit starting Jan. 27. Your kit will include a list and map of streams, ponds or wetlands where you can collect a water sample.
For more information, please contact Lindsey Albright, DCSWCD Monitoring and Outreach Coordinator at (651) 480-7783 or lindsey.albright@co.dakota.mn.us.
Mark your calendars - The DCSWCD and University of Minnesota Extension are partnering to provide a workshop surrounding the economics of adopting soil health practices! Enjoy a free lunch in addition to expertise from the Forever Green Initiative, UMN Extension, DCSWCD, NRCS, Dakota County, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and a farmer-led panel.
The event will be held on February 27th from 9am-1pm at the Castle Rock Bank - Randolph Branch (4765 292nd St. East, Randolph, MN 55065). Registration is required so appropriate food accommodations can be made - REGISTER HERE.
For more information, please contact Dru Larson, DCSWCD Conservation Technician at (651) 480-7782 or dru.larson@co.dakota.mn.us.
Groundwater Protection Rule and Nutrient Management
Winter is officially here and now is the perfect time for farmers to recap and evaluate nutrient management.
As a reminder, Part 1 of the Groundwater Protection Rule prohibits fall application of nitrogen in vulnerable groundwater areas (which includes all course textured soils throughout the County) and prohibits fall application of nitrogen 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.
Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) staff are offering preliminary evaluations to farmers to assess current practices to see if they are in line with BMPs for nitrogen management. MDA staff can also assist in answering questions and provide clarification about the evaluation process. As we begin the new year, it is important to understand how each farmers operation fits within MDA guidelines.
DCSWCD can assist farmers in meeting the Best Management Practices 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 DCSWCD 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, reach out to MDA staff listed on the website: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/hastings-dwsma.
For further information on cost-share for nitrogen practices, reach out to Dru Larson, DCSWCD Conservation Technician at (651) 480-7782 or dru.larson@co.dakota.mn.us
Financial Assistance for Private Well Users
Dakota County received Clean Water Funds from the Minnesota Department of Health to help ensure safe drinking water for private well users. Private well users who meet low-income criteria may be eligible for financial assistance to address drinking water quality concerns.
The grant provides funding to eligible homeowners or renters to:
Repair or replace a well contaminated with nitrate or bacteria
Buy or install a water treatment system for wells contaminated with °Arsenic °Nitrate °Coliform bacteria °Lead
Dakota County landowners will soon be able to apply and enroll in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) Walk-In Access program! Walk-In Access (WIA) provides public recreational opportunities, such as hunting, bird-watching, nature photography and similar compatible uses, on private land that is already enrolled in existing conservation programs or lands with high quality natural cover. The WIA program is voluntary for landowners and includes financial incentives for enrolled parcels, including extra liability protection under existing recreational use laws.
As of last year, 54 counties in the state are currently enrolled in WIA, with Dakota County set to join in early 2025. This program will provide increased opportunity for community engagement and connectivity with natural areas in the county, especially for those located in the greater metro area. More information about the WIA program, including enrollment eligibility, can be found by visiting the MnDNR’s website at www.dnr.state.mn.us/walkin.
For any additional information, updates, or if you are interested in enrolling land, please contact Alex Scurto, DCSWCD Resource Conservationist at (651) 480-7779 or alex.scurto@co.dakota.mn.us.
Upcoming Events
Monday January 27th to Friday January 31st:Winter Salt Week | Winter Salt Week events teach people about the adverse impacts of chloride pollution on our water resources and what we can do to 'keep freshwater fresh.' Sign up online to volunteer and then head to your favorite Dakota County Library branch to pick up a monitoring kit, complete a salt themed scavenger hunt, and grab some buttons and tattoos to hand out to friends and family. Learn more.
Thursday, February 20th at 6pm:Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction Class| Join us for a one hour IN-PERSON class at Burnsville City Hall to learn how native plants, raingardens, and shoreline plantings can bring pollinator and water quality benefits to your yard. The class is FREE and is a pre-requisite to taking part in our hands-on Design Course and grant program! Learn more.
Thursday, February 27th at 9am: Economics of Soil Health Workshop | Producer-focused workshop surrounding the economics of adopting of soil health practices! Enjoy a free lunch in addition to expertise from the Forever Green Initiative, UMN Extension, DCSWCD, NRCS, Dakota County, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and a farmer-led panel. Registration is required. Learn more.
Thursday, March 6th at 5 pm:LCW Garden Maintenance Class| Join us ONLINE for our FREE class on maintaining your raingarden, native garden or shoreline planting. Participants will learn tips and tricks for sprucing up your garden and dealing with maintenance issues throughout the year. Sign up today to help create and maintain a beautiful garden for years to come.Learn more.
Monday, March 10th at 6pm:Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction Class | Join us for a one hour IN-PERSON class at Apple Valley Municipal Center to learn how native plants, raingardens, and shoreline plantings can bring pollinator and water quality benefits to your yard. The class is FREE and is a pre-requisite to taking part in our hands-on Design Course and grant program! Learn more.
Tuesday, March 11th at 3pm:Free Well Water Nitrate Testing | Bring private well water samples in a clean container to get your water tested for nitrates. Get your questions answered by well and groundwater experts from Dakota County Environmental Resources. Water-themed coloring pages and activities will be provided for children. All are welcome! Learn more.
Wednesday, March 12th at 9am:Dakota County Crops Day | Join University of Minnesota and agency specialists to Dakota County as they share local research results and crop management strategies with producers and other agricultural professionals. Potential topics include grain markets, weed management in cover crop systems, crop pest and disease outlook, and an update from the Dakota County Soil & Water Conservation District.Learn more.
Monday, April 7th at 6pm:Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction Class | Join us for a one hour IN-PERSON class at Dakota Lodge in West St Paul to learn how native plants, raingardens, and shoreline plantings can bring pollinator and water quality benefits to your yard. The class is FREE and is a pre-requisite to taking part in our hands-on Design Course and grant program! Learn more.
Dakota County SWCD | 4100 W 220th Street | Farmington, MN 55024 US
