City of Burnsville Receives Outstanding Conservationist Award
Dakota County, MN – The Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is proud to announce the City of Burnsville as their 2021 Outstanding Conservationist.
The Dakota SWCD Board selected the City of Burnsville as this year’s Outstanding Conservationist for their commitment to conservation. The City of Burnsville has a long track record of working with the SWCD and other organizations to install water quality improvement projects, restore shorelines of community lakes and establish native prairies for pollinator habitat.
Examples of conservation work the City of Burnsville has initiated include the installation of bioretention basins (raingardens) at several locations on City property or in conjunction with street reconstruction projects, stabilizing the north shoreline of Crystal Lake and restoring native prairie with pollinators at Lake Park and North River Hills Park. The City continues to be a strong supporter and partner of the SWCDs Landscaping for Clean Water Program where workshops are developed for residents to learn more about conservation practices that can be implemented on their property to enhance our natural environment.
The City of Burnsville recently completed a Park Framework Plan which includes identifying under-utilized areas of turf grass. These areas are typically more labor intensive and environmentally impactful requiring fertilizing, weed spraying and regular mowing. By converting some of those areas to more environmentally friendly landscaping like native prairie grasses and wildflowers, Burnsville increases pollinator habitat, reduces fertilizer runoff into local waterways and reduces greenhouse gas emissions from mowing equipment.
Every year, the SWCD honors a landowner, business, or organization for their contributions to conserve or restore natural resources in Dakota County. The SWCD commends the City of Burnsville for being leaders in conservation and supporting clean water practices.
If you would like more information on this award program or other SWCD programs and activities, you may visit www.dakotaswcd.org or contact their office at 651-480-7777.
