CONGREGATIONS FOR CLEAN WATER
The Dakota County SWCD’s Congregations for Clean Water program provides technical and financial assistance to churches for improving water quality and pollinator habitat.
Raingardens capture polluted runoff from parking lots and driveways where it is naturally cleansed by the soil and replenishes groundwater instead of flowing directly into our lakes, rivers and wetlands.
Congregations interested in stewardship raingarden projects may be eligible for Conservation Initiative Funding (CIF) that supports larger conservation practices on commercial or multiple properties by providing technical and cost share assistance. Depending on project ranking and the availability of funding, cost share amounts up to $25,000 may be approved to reimburse the applicant up to 75% of the actual project cost. See the Conservation Initiative Funding program information HERE.
For additional information contact Joe Barten at 651-480-7784 / Email Joe
K-12 OUTREACH
Environmental education is important to the Dakota County Soil & Water Conservation District!
We love creative, hands-on programs that teach kids about clean water, pollinators and native plants, and how we can all have an impact on our environment! Are you a teacher, parent, or interested student? Read on for more information on some of the programs we run or participate in, for youth in Dakota County.
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Every year in September, local fifth grade classrooms get the chance to experience a 220-acre native prairie ecosystem while traveling between hands-on, educational stations. They learn about water quality, soil, agriculture, insects, and prairie plants from a host of experts, and experience a trail through the tall grass of the prairie. A thousand or more students from eight different schools participate in Outdoor Education Days every year!
The educational stations are taught by local experts from the Dakota Soil & Water Conservation District, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Dakota County Parks, WHEP Volunteers, and the National Park Service. Thank you to our amazing partners!
CLEAN WATER PLEDGE
A “watershed” is an area of land that all drains to the same body of water.
There are four major physical watersheds in Dakota County: the Cannon River watershed, the Vermillion River watershed, the Minnesota River watershed, and the Mississippi River watershed. The actions that you take in your yard and neighborhood will affect the river of your home watershed! For example, dirt and leaves that wash down the storm drain in front of your house will eventually be swept to that river, contributing to potential algae blooms. Native plants you add to your yard, however, will help stormwater soak into the ground and be naturally treated, preventing that possibly polluted water from ever reaching the river.
Every year, we ask residents to take just one action that will positively affect their home watershed. We bring our big clean water pledge map to events, and ask people to sign where they live, once they take the “Clean Water Pledge.”
Look for us and our map at clean water events near you!
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These are actions you can take at home to protect your watershed:
- Plant wildflowers or a tree!
- Pick up and dispose of all dog waste right away.
- Pick up any litter I see outside.
- Work with your adults to keep leaves, dirt, and sticks away from any storm drains by my house.
- Learn more about clean water.
- Tell my family or friends about actions they can take.
These are actions you can take at home to protect your watershed:
- Plant a native garden for pollinators, with deep-rooted plants that help water infiltrate and be treated by the soil.
- Plant a raingarden to capture my roof runoff.
- Pick up and dispose of all pet waste right away.
- Fix any leaks from my car.
- Reduce or stop the use of pesticides & chemical fertilizers on my lawn.
- Change my sprinkler settings to use less water.
- Talk to my neighbors about one of these actions.
- Become a Minnesota Water Steward. (minnesotawaterstewards.org)
- Keep leaves, dirt, and debris off and away from any storm drains in the street by my house.
- Never leave leaves, grass clippings, or dirt on paved surfaces (like the sidewalk) – sweep up after doing yard work!
