During the class, we introduce water quality challenges facing Minnesota watersheds and discuss beautiful and practical ways to reduce runoff pollutants from your yard that might be contributing to water quality issues, along with improving pollinator habitat. There are two more chances to learn this year!
TUESDAY, MAY 6th - Online
MONDAY, JUNE 2nd - Farmington Library
All Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction classes will start at 6:00 pm. Contact the DCSWCD atLCW@co.dakota.mn.usor (651) 480-7777 with any questions.
Want to know more before signing up? Check out this great video that we made with local partners to get the word out about the Landscaping for Clean Water program!
Lawns Re-Imagined
We are excited to offer two upcoming workshops for theLawns Re-Imaginedprogram! This program helps transform traditional lawns into low-maintenance, water-efficient fine fescue lawns—that are visually appealing and meet city ordinances requirement.
In these workshops, participants will learn about the benefits of fine fescue over traditional Kentucky bluegrass lawns. Fine fescue requires less water, fertilizer, and mowing, and is better suited to Minnesota’s climate—that is, they require less intervention to grow well. We’ll demonstrate the relatively simple process of converting your lawn over a few weeks, with long-lasting results. Our seed mixes, sunny and shady, contain no forbs, which means your lawn won’t attract bees—making it ideal for those concerned about bee activity in their yard.
Each workshop participant will receive site-specific maps of their yard and helpful materials to plan a successful lawn transformation. Plus, by attending, you’ll be eligible to apply for free fine fescue seed (sun and/or shade mix), compost, and on-site technical guidance from SWCD staff to support your project.
If you’re ready to reduce mowing, watering, and fertilizing while creating a lawn that’s easy to maintain, don’t miss out on these informative workshops. Please visit theLawns Re-Imagined pageon our website to learn more and to sign up for one of the sessions:
THURSDAY, MAY 29 at 6pm at the Eagan City Hall
THURSDAY, JUNE 12 at 6pm at the Rosemount Public Works & Police Building
This program is available in partnership with Dakota County, the Vermilion River Watershed JPO, and the Eagan-Inver Grove Heights WMO.
Interested in adding some native trees and shrubs to your landscape this spring? The Dakota SWCD Tree Sale provides the opportunity for landowners to purchase high quality bare root seedlings at a low cost for urban and rural conservation purposes, such as windbreaks, reforestation, erosion control, and food and cover for wildlife.
Already ordered? Pick-up information below!
Tree pick-up is scheduled to take place on April 24-25, 2025 at the Dakota County Fairgrounds (4008 220th St W, Farmington, MN 55024) in Farmington. Pick-up dates and times are as follows:
THURSDAY APRIL 24th – 11am thru 5pm
FRIDAY APRIL 25th – 10am thru 6pm
Contact the Dakota SWCD at (651) 480-7777 or SWCD@co.dakota.mn.us with any questions. Happy planting!
Native plants provide an array of benefits to water quality, soil health, and to keystone species such as pollinators. There has never been a better time to go native than right now, and the Dakota SWCD is here to help bring native plants to your landscape!
Cost share fundingis now 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 projects of at least ½ acre in size can now apply for theNative Prairie Restoration grantand could be eligible to receive up to 85% funding with a limit of up to $4,000.00/acre.
The Dakota SWCD provides technical assistance, including project designs and cost estimates for each application. Applications are accepted year-round and will be reviewed and ranked in accordance with the following deadlines:
MAY 15th
JULY 15th
SEPTEMBER 15th
If you are interested in transitioning your land into native habitat and want to learn more about the Native Prairie Restoration grant, please contact Alex Scurto, DCSWCD Resource Conservationist at (651) 480-7779 or atalex.scurto@co.dakota.mn.us.
Winter Salt Week Success
In January, we partnered with Dakota County Environmental Resources and Groundwater Departments, the Lower Mississippi River WMO, Lower MN River WD, Black Dog WMO, and the Vermillion River Watershed JPO to create a chloride outreach and volunteer chloride monitoring campaign at all ten Dakota County Library locations. This campaign was done as part of Winter Salt Week, an international collaboration of governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as the public, to learn about and engage on chloride pollution and solutions topics/issues in their community.
Campaign support was strong throughout the county and participant feedback has been positive – people enjoyed the outreach materials, as well as the opportunity to monitor chloride in their community. 34 people signed up to monitor chloride in their local water bodies through our program and many more requested kits directly from Salt Watch to do future monitoring of their own. Several participants also indicated that they looked forward to taking part in the program again next year.
A Conversation about Chloride and Community Science
Following up to the success of our Winter Salt Week campaign, we are partnering with Dakota County on a public presentation about chloride and community science activities. The focus will be chloride pollution and its impact on local water bodies, Dakota County’s new Low Salt, No Salt initiative, as well as an overview of Salt Watch and an introduction to other community science programs that people can get involved with.
The conversation starts at 5pm on Wednesday April 30th in the Large Meeting Room at Wescott Library in Eagan. Register here!
Equipment Available to Rent
Set yourself up for success by renting equipment from the Dakota SWCD! We have several pieces of equipment available to rent:
Kubota Broadcast Seeder
A light weight, 3-point attachment used with 40-60 horse tractor.
A PTO is required for operation.
Seeder can be used for cover crops, native grass planting and pasture plantings.
Truax Hand Seeder
A broadcast seeder used for native prairie seed of small areas.
Tree Planting Bars
Tree planting bars are used to plant bare root trees by hand.
Mulch/Straw Crimper
A 40-60 horse tractor is required to pull this equipment.
Crimper is hydraulically lowered
As it is being pulled it anchors mulch or straw into the ground.
Straw or mulch is applied either by hand or separate by equipment.
Go to the Dakota SWCD website to find equipment rental rates and to submit a rental request. Contact us at (651) 480-7777 or SWCD@co.dakota.mn.us with questions.
MnDNR Walk-In Access Program
Walk-In Access (WIA) provides public recreational opportunities, such as hunting, birdwatching, 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. 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 Dakota SWCD’s website at www.dakotaswcd.org/walk-in-access. The 2025 enrollment period closes on Friday, May 2nd.
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 at alex.scurto@co.dakota.mn.us.
Planting Green and Soil Health Training
Interested in learning more about “planting green”? Wondering how no-tilling into existing vegetation actually works? Considering cover crops, but need more information first?
The MN Board of Soil and Water Resources is hosting a training on May 5th on that will answer the above questions as well as feature a demonstration of planting machinery through living cereal rye cover crop and a discussion on equipment modifications and logistics of cover crop management!
This training kicks off at 9am at 5103 315th St W, Northfield, MN 55057 and is open to anyone who’s interested!
Please contact Dru Larson, Conservation Technician with Dakota SWCD at (651) 480-7782 or dru.larson@co.dakota.mn.us for any questions or issues with registration.
Pull on a pair of waders! Dakota County seeks volunteers for the Wetland 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. Registration is open through May 15.
Contact Dakota County Water Resources at (952) 891-7000 with program and registration questions.
Upcoming Events
April:Citizen Science Month| Help celebrate people-powered science by signing up for One Million Acts of Science during Citizen Science Month! Individual acts add up to an important collective impact that accelerates scientific research, discoveries, and local actions that make a difference. Potential projects include sharing photos of nature to document biodiversity or tracking microplastics and air quality on your smart phone. Learn more.
Thursday April 24th and Friday April 25th:Tree Sale Pick-Up| Tree Sale pick-up will take place on April 24-25, 2025 at the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington (4008 220th St W, Farmington, MN 55024). Pick-up times are April 24th - 11am-5p and April 25th - 10am-6pm. Contact with questions.
Wednesday April 30th at 5pm:Conversation about Chloride and Community Science | Attend an evening conversation chloride and community science activities. The focus will be chloride pollution and its impact on local water bodies, Dakota County’s new Low Salt, No Salt initiative, as well as an overview of Salt Watch and an introduction to other community science programs that people can get involved with. Sign up.
Monday, May 5th at 9am:Planting Green and Soil Health Training| The Board of Soil and Water Resources is hosting a training on equipment modifications and logistics of cover crop management in Northfield. Participants will also observe strip-till and planting machinery through living cereal rye cover crop, analyzing soil outcomes of soil health practices.Learn more.
Tuesday, May 6th at 6pm:Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction Class| Join us for a one hour ONLINE class 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.
Monday, June 2nd at 6pm: Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction Class| Join us for a one hour IN-PERSON class at Farmington Library 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
