Interested in adding some native trees and shrubs to your landscape this spring? The Dakota SWCD Tree Saleprovides an opportunity for landowners to purchase high quality bare root seedlings at a low cost for conservation purposes such as windbreaks, reforestation, erosion control, and food and cover for wildlife. Dakota County residency is not required to purchase trees. Tree and shrub bundles can be purchased online at www.dakotaswcd.org/tree-sale.
NEW THIS YEAR: 5-packs of available Oak species ($20) and Buckthorn Replacement Bundle ($35)!
Tree sale order pick-up will take place on April 23-24, 2026 at the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington. Contact the Dakota SWCD at (651) 480-7777 or SWCD@co.dakota.mn.us with any questions.
Unique Farmland Project in Eagan Helps Keep Lakes Healthy
In the spring of 2025, the McCarthy Family Habitat Forever Foundation came to the Dakota SWCD looking for help with a reoccurring erosion issue on their land. Dedicated to the preservation and protection of environmentally sensitive green space in the center of Eagan, Foundation staff was concerned with the increasing size and depth of gullies on the property following rainfall events.
SWCD met with Foundation staff to walk the site and identified areas of the farm land where soil was leaving the property and depositing on the sidewalk along Wescott Road. In consultation with the City of Eagan, the SWCD designed a grassed waterway and sediment control basin to help direct the runoff and capture soil before the stormwater is metered through a pipe and into the city’s sewer system.
It is estimated that this project will prevent 13.4 tons of sediment and 13.4 pounds of phosphorus from travelling downstream into Fish Lake each year.
Project installation was complete in August 2025 with financial support provided through the SWCD'sIncentive Payment Practices Program, as well as grant funds from the State of MN Board of Water & Soil Resources. This project has helped develop a relationship between the Foundation Board and the SWCD which will lead to continued conversations about cropping systems and conservation practices in the future.
2026 Landscaping for Clean Water Program Open for Registration
Landscaping for Clean Waterseason is upon us! We are once again offering a great variety of both in-person and virtual programming, focusing on reducing lawn care, creating pollinator habitat and improving local water quality!
Our Natural Shoreline Classwill be offered again in 2026. Folks living near a lake, stream, pond, and wetland are welcome - as well as those with general interest in lake health and shoreline restoration! Topics will include property and habitat beautification, native plants and pollinators, natural shoreline installation processes, as well as permit processes, and technical assistance and funding opportunities.
This class is being offered three times in 2026 on the following dates and locations:
THURSDAY, APRIL 2nd - Apple Valley Municipal Center
MONDAY, APRIL 13th - Dakota Lodge, Thompson County Park
TUESDAY, APRIL 21st - Eagan City Hall
All Natural Shoreline Classeswill start at 6:00 pm. Classes are free to attend, but registration is required.
We are teaming up with the Dakota County Library to offer ourGarden Maintenance Classon Tuesday March 3rd at Galaxie Library in Apple Valley!
Register today 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 Classstarts at 5:00 pm and is open to all – Dakota County residency is not required. The class is free to attend, but registration is required.
Do you have a large lawn that you are tired of mowing or an awkward area of your farm field that you just aren't sure what to do with? The Dakota SWCD can help you restore the land back to native prairie through our Native Prairie Restoration Program!
Cost-share funding is available for the installation of native vegetation that protects surface waters and groundwater, reduces erosion, and provides wildlife and pollinator habitat. Landowners in Dakota County with eligible projects of at least ½ acre in size may be eligible to receive up to 85% funding with a limit of to $4,000.00/acre in cost share assistance.
The SWCD provides technical assistance, including project designs and cost estimates for each application. Cost-share applications are accepted year-round.
If you are interested in creating native habitat on your property and want to learn more about native prairie restoration, please contact Alex Scurto, Dakota SWCD Resource Conservationist at (651) 480-7779 or at alex.scurto@co.dakota.mn.us.
Prescribed Burn Association Landowner Interest Meeting
Interested in getting fire onto your landscape but don’t know where to start? The Dakota SWCD is hosting a landowner interest meeting to discuss the formation of a Prescribed Burn Association (PBA) on Wednesday, March 4th at 6:00 pm at the Dakota County Extension Building in Farmington. PBAs are grassroots organizations where members share knowledge, labor, and equipment to implement prescribed fires. Hear from Jason Andersen, Minnesota Prescribed Fire Coordinator from Pheasants Forever, on how a PBA in Dakota County can offer the support needed to confidently integrate fire into your land management practices. This event is free and open to the public (please RSVP below). Dakota County residency is not required to attend.
More information about the event can be found on the Minnesota PBA's website.
Contact Alex Scurto, DCSWCD Resource Conservationist at (651) 480-7779 or at alex.scurto@co.dakota.mn.us with any questions.
For the eighteenth year, Crops Day will bring University of Minnesota, Dakota County, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency and Dakota SWCD experts to Dakota County growers to share local research results and crop management strategies with producers and other agricultural professionals.
Crops Day will be held on Wednesday, March 18th, 2026, at Dakota Electric Association, 4300 220th Street West, Farmington, MN 55024. The program will begin at 9:00 am and conclude at noon with a free lunch to follow.
This event is free and open to the public. Drop-ins are welcome, but pre-registration is requested for food-planning purposes. On-site registration begins at 8:30 am.
Groundwater is the primary source of drinking water for many Minnesota communities, and irrigated agriculture plays an important role in protecting both water quality and water supply. The Dakota SWCD and our federal partners at Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) have assisted irrigators in Dakota County for many years with upgrades to systems for efficiency and have helped support new technology for better irrigation scheduling.
Through USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and in partnership with Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), conservation districts around Minnesota worked to bring $11.6 million to high priority irrigated cropland acres throughout the state, including Dakota County.
Participating irrigators with RCPP may receive assistance for:
Soil moisture sensors and irrigation scheduling tools
Precision irrigation packages, including variable rate technology
Nozzle and pump upgrades to improve system efficiency
Advanced system upgrades with remote operation and monitoring
Improved nitrogen management tied to irrigation practices
Interested in learning more about RCPP? SWCD and NRCS staff will work one-on-one with producers, providing technical support, application assistance, and follow-up services. Applications will be accepted February 2-27, 2026.
Farmers interested in applying are encouraged to contact the SWCD office at (651) 480-7777 or SWCD@co.dakota.mn.us or NRCS to learn more about eligibility, available practices, and next steps.
Financial Assistance for Water Treatment
Are you a private well owner concerned about contaminants in your drinking water? Dakota County has grant funding to help!
Systems such as a Reverse Osmosis (RO) or Carbon filters are eligible. The program is first come, first serve so you are encouraged to apply right away. Households that are connected to a city’s water supply are not eligible.
For more information, visit Dakota County's Safe Drinking Water Grant page.
Rain Barrel, Compost Bin Sale
Beginning February 28th, Dakota County residents can order rain barrels and compost bins while supplies last on the Recycling Association of Minnesotawebsite.
Use code Dakota at checkout for a 30-percent discount.
Pick up in Rosemount (compost bins and rain barrels) or Mendota Heights (rain barrels only) in May.
Volunteer to Monitor Wetlands with WHEP
Dakota County seeks volunteers for theWetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP).Volunteers work with a community-based team to evaluate wetlands by collecting data on plants and macroinvertebrates like beetles, bugs and snails. Previous monitoring experience or a background in science is not necessary.
Contact Dakota County Water Resources at (952) 891-7000 with program and registration questions.
Upcoming Events
January to April 2026: SWCD Tree Sale | The Dakota SWCD's 2026 Tree Sale is now open! All trees are bare root with sizes ranging from 6” to 24”and includes conifer, deciduous trees and shrub species. NEW THIS YEAR: a Buckthorn Replacement Bundle ($35) and 5-packs of available Oak species ($20)!Trees, shrubs, and accessories must be ordered in advance and picked up on the scheduled days in April at the Dakota County Fairgrounds. Learn more.
Monday, January 26th:Winter Salt Week| Winter Salt Week events raises awareness about the adverse impacts of chloride/salt pollution on our water resources and what we can do to 'keep freshwater fresh.' Head to your favorite Dakota County Library branch to complete a salt themed scavenger hunt, pick up an kid-friendly activity booklet, checkout some winter-themed books, and grab some buttons and tattoos to hand out to friends and family! Want to monitor chloride water levels in a local water body? Request a chloride monitoring kit be sent straight to your home from Salt Watch!Learn more.
Thursday, February 26th at 6pm:Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction Class| Join us for an one hour 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.
Tuesday, March 3rd at 5 pm:Landscaping for Clean Water Garden Maintenance Class | Join us at Galaxie Library 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.
Wednesday, March 4th at 6 pm:Prescribed Burn Association Landowner Interest Meeting |Join other fire-interested landowners and begin the process of forming a local Prescribed Burn Association (PBA). Learn why fire is important and how the PBA model works. Learn more.
Monday, March 9th at 6pm:Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction Class | Join us for an one hour class at Mendota Heights 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.
Tuesday, March 10th at 3pm:Free Well Water Nitrate Testing| Bring private well water samples in a clean container to get your water tested for nitrates at the Farmington Library. Get your questions answered by well and groundwater experts from Dakota County Environmental Resources. All are welcome!Learn more.
Wednesday, March 18th 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 SWCD.Learn more.
Thursday, April 2nd at 6pm:Landscaping for Clean Water Natural Shoreline Class| Join us for an one hour class at Apple Valley Municipal Center to learn how native plants can bring stability and beauty to your shoreline. The installation process and permits, as well as technical assistance and funding opportunities will also be covered. 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
