Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District

Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District The DCSWCD is committed to providing high quality assistance to the citizens of Dakota County

The Dakota County Soil Conservation District was organized by local farmers and certified by the Secretary of State on February 11, 1944 through State Statue 103C. The Soil Conservation District's name was later changed to the "Dakota County Soil and Water Conseravtion District" (SWCD) in February of 1959. The SWCD is governed by five locally elected supervisors who hold monthly public meetings an

d is staffed by professionals committed to providing high quality assistance to the citizens of Dakota County for the protection of land and water resources. SWCD's were formed in the early to mid 1940's in response to national concern over floods, erosion, and the dust storms of the 1930's. During this time, the Dakota County SWCD's primary goal was to work with local farmers to establish practices to conserve soil and increase production on their land. Today, the SWCD works in partnership with federal, state, and local governments to conserve and manage land and water resources across the county.

Upcoming events for June!📆Wednesday June 3rd at 6pm: Lawns Re-Imagined Workshop | Join us at Eagan City Hall to learn ho...
06/02/2026

Upcoming events for June!

📆Wednesday June 3rd at 6pm: Lawns Re-Imagined Workshop | Join us at Eagan City Hall to learn how to transform your traditional lawns into low-maintenance, water-efficient fine fescue lawns that are visually appealing and meet city ordinances requirement. The class is FREE, plus, by attending the workshop, 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.

📆Tuesday, June 9th at 6pm: Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction Class | Join us Tuesday June 9th at Rosemount Police & Public Works Campus 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 about these classes and register by clicking on the link in bio🔝and selecting either Landscaping for Clean Water Program or Lawns Re-Imagined Workshop!

🌱Re-Imagine your lawn this summer!If you’re ready to reduce watering, fertilizing, and mowing while creating a lawn that...
05/29/2026

🌱Re-Imagine your lawn this summer!

If you’re ready to reduce watering, fertilizing, and mowing while creating a lawn that’s easy to maintain, join us on Wednesday night at 6pm at Eagan City Hall to learn how you can transform your traditional lawn into a low-maintenance and water-efficient fine fescue lawn that is both visually appealing and meets city ordinances requirement!

Participants learn about the benefits of fine fescue versus 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 input to grow well! Presenters will demonstrate the relatively simple process of converting your lawn over a few weeks, with long-lasting results.

The workshop starts at 6:00 pm, and is free to join and open to all! Head to our website - www.dakotaswcd.org/classes/lawnsre-imagined - to sign up today! Please contact us at [email protected] or (651) 480-7777 with any questions.

It takes over 100 years to form just 1 inch of topsoil.🌱📅This rate depends on several factors, including parent rock mat...
05/27/2026

It takes over 100 years to form just 1 inch of topsoil.🌱📅

This rate depends on several factors, including parent rock material, climate and weathering conditions, organic material accumulation, vegetative cover and land use, and biological activity like worms, fungi, and microbes.

In areas with rich biological activity and moisture, topsoil might form in 100 years. In dry, cold, or heavily disturbed regions, it may take 500 to even 1000 years!

Soil is a living and slowly renewing resource. Protecting what we have is much easier than rebuilding what we lose. Stop by our office or contact us at 651-480-7777 or [email protected] if you are interested in partnering with us on projects to protect our local soil and water!

The Dakota SWCD will be closed on Monday May 25th in honor of Memorial Day. The office will reopen on Tuesday May 26th a...
05/22/2026

The Dakota SWCD will be closed on Monday May 25th in honor of Memorial Day. The office will reopen on Tuesday May 26th at 8am.

Soil is made up of layers! These layers can be hundreds and thousands of years old. When digging into soil, you are lite...
05/22/2026

Soil is made up of layers! These layers can be hundreds and thousands of years old. When digging into soil, you are literally digging into history. Every layer tells a story; it’s like the earth’s own natural history book.

🌱 Topsoil – Where plants grow and roots live
💧 Subsoil – Stores water and nutrients
🪨 Parent Material – Pieces of rock breaking down
🟫 Bedrock – The solid rock below all layers

Planting is underway on a bioretention basin at Two Rivers High School in Mendota Heights! 🌱💧🌸🦋🐝We recently partnered w...
05/21/2026

Planting is underway on a bioretention basin at Two Rivers High School in Mendota Heights! 🌱💧🌸🦋🐝

We recently partnered with Two Rivers High School on a stormwater improvement project that will improve both water quality and pollinator habitat in the Mississippi River Watershed. The basin will capture and treat stormwater runoff from a large area of the parking lot reducing the sediment, pollutants, and overall stormwater volume that is currently making its way to the Mississippi River untreated. It will also promote groundwater recharge and infiltration in the basin.

To meet sustainability goals set by the Independent School District (ISD) 197’s LiveGreen sustainability program, Two Rivers High School approached our office for guidance on stormwater improvements that could be done on campus to minimize their impact on nearby water resources. An assessment of the school grounds identified an under-utilized grass island in the parking lot north of the school as the perfect site for a stormwater improvement project.

The basin's planting plan was designed with native, drought-tolerant, and pollinator friendly perennial, shrub, and grass species including wild bergamot, prairie dropseed, black eyed susan, and red-osier dogwood. The deep-rooted plants will improve soil structure, promote nutrient uptake, and maximize infiltration of stormwater from the parking lot. This project also provides an educational opportunity for the students and the broader community on the preservation of clean water and natural resources.

We offer grants and technical assistance for a wide variety of conservation, water quality improvement, and habitat improvement projects. Contact us at [email protected] or 651-480-7777 to learn more.

Photo 1. A bioretention basin (raingarden) will be installed at Two Rivers High School in Mendota Heights.
Photo 2. Project area – unused turfgrass in the parking lot.
Photo 3. An underdrain was installed as a backup plan for the basin to prevent it from holding water for too long which could drown out the plants during establishment.
Photos 4 & 5. Students laying out and planting plants in the biorention basin.

Agricultural conservation practices like planting cover crops and reducing soil disturbance help keep soil in place, pre...
05/19/2026

Agricultural conservation practices like planting cover crops and reducing soil disturbance help keep soil in place, prevent erosion, increase farm productivity and profitability, and protect nearby habitats. 🌾🚜🧑‍🌾

Conservation districts work with local farmers and producers to implement soil health practices on their lands! In Dakota County, there are all sorts of farmers. From canning crops like sweet corn, peas, and potatoes to grazing cattle on alfalfa, we support local producers through our cost-share and technical assistance. Give us a call at 651-480-7777 or send us an email at [email protected] to find out how we can partner with you!

Our 🌱Lawns Re-Imagined Workshop🌱helps residents transform their traditional lawns into low-maintenance, water-efficient ...
05/15/2026

Our 🌱Lawns Re-Imagined Workshop🌱helps residents transform their traditional lawns into low-maintenance, water-efficient fine fescue lawns that are visually appealing and meet city ordinances requirement.

In these workshops, participants learn about the benefits of fine fescue versus 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 input 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. Plus, by attending the workshop, 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 watering, fertilizing, and mowing while creating a lawn that’s easy to maintain, don’t miss out on these informative workshops.

🌱THURSDAY, MAY 28th - Burnsville City Hall
🌱WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3rd - Eagan City Hall

Lawns Re-Imagined classes start at 6:00 pm. Register on the Dakota County SWCD website today - www.dakotaswcd.org/classes/lawns-reimagined. Contact the DCSWCD at [email protected] or (651) 480-7777 with any questions.

May is National Wetlands Month!Wetlands are among the most valuable, but least understood of all natural resources. They...
05/14/2026

May is National Wetlands Month!

Wetlands are among the most valuable, but least understood of all natural resources. They provide habitat, food, and resting areas for wildlife. They benefit communities by replenishing clean water supplies and reducing flood risks.

National Wetlands Month began in 1991 to encourage awareness and to educate each other about the important role wetlands play. Restoring wetlands on the landscape is a priority of many organizations because they are so important to our natural environment.

The DCSWCD offers multiple programs to restore wetlands. If you are interested in restoring wetlands on your land, contact David Holmen at 651-480-7791 or [email protected].

Upcoming events for May!📆Wednesday, May 13th at 6pm: Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction Class | Join us TOMORROW N...
05/13/2026

Upcoming events for May!

📆Wednesday, May 13th at 6pm: Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction Class | Join us TOMORROW NIGHT at Apple Valley 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!

📆Thursday May 28th at 6pm: Lawns Re-Imagined Workshop | Join us at Burnsville City Hall to learn how to transform your traditional lawns into low-maintenance, water-efficient fine fescue lawns that are visually appealing and meet city ordinances requirement. The class is FREE, plus, by attending the workshop, 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.

Learn more about these classes and register on the Dakota County SWCD website today - www.dakotaswcd.org/classes/

Address

4100 220th Street West
Farmington, MN
55024

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+16514807777

Website

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