Dakota County Newsletter - Fall/Winter 2021

county newsletter

Fall/Winter 2021

COMMUNITY

Getting back on your feet Page 11

PARKS

Programs & events Page 15

GO GREEN

Protecting our wetlands Page 25

MIND

MATTERS Providing mental health resources to those in need Page 26

RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER ***************ECRWSSEDDM***** Dakota County Board of Commissioners Administration Center, 1590 Highway 55 Hastings, MN 55033-2372

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Welcome to the fall/winter 2021 edition of the Dakota County newsletter. Counties provide many services for residents. In this edition, we look at the ways Dakota County helps people improve their mental health and assists those who are in crisis. The Dakota County Board of Commissioners has made mental health awareness a priority and is committed to ensuring people get the resources they need to live a safe and healthy life. The board is dedicated to providing these important services to residents while also being a careful steward of your property tax dollars — priorities that help ensure Dakota County remains a great place to live and work.

Contents Feature: Page 26

MIND MATTERS Mental health is important to our overall well-being. It’s OK to reach out to others if you or a loved one is struggling with mental health issues. Dakota County can help guide people through the many ways to receive mental health assistance.

D E PA R T M E N T S

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Page 11

Page 15

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IN BRIEF

OUR WORK

COMMUNITY

PARKS

GO GREEN

Dakota County reached a COVID-19 vaccination milestone ahead of state and national goals.

Find out how we connected with residents who needed the vaccine.

Law enforcement needs the trust of the residents they serve to maintain public safety. Learn how the Sheriff’s Office builds trust with transparency, accountability and access to information.

The pandemic left many people struggling to meet basic needs and reach their goals. CareerForce Centers can help you get back on your feet and working toward financial security.

Bison will once again roam the land at Spring Lake Park Reserve. Visitors will see firsthand how these majestic animals benefit the prairie and learn about their importance to Indigenous culture.

Recycling centers sort milk jugs, cardboard, metal and glass items — but not plastic bags. Find out how to properly load your recycling cart and where to bring plastic bags, wrap and film.

Keeping you informed for 39 cents Letting you know how your tax dollars are spent is important to Dakota County commissioners, and this newsletter is a cost-effective way to do just that. To keep costs down, we limit production to twice a year and combine it with the Dakota County Parks program guide. The newsletter is written and designed by county staff. Printing is awarded to the lowest bidder through a competitive bid process. The total cost, including postage, per residential household is 39 cents — less than the cost of a postage stamp.

Contact: Mary Beth Schubert, Communications Director, marybeth.schubert@co.dakota.mn.us or call 651-438-8179

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5 PROTECTING YOUR WATER 6 DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR 6 WINTER DRIVING TIPS

Reaching out Making sure everyone has access to the COVID-19 vaccine

It’s been a challenge to get back to the “normal” we all knew before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Public health staff and health care workers everywhere have played a big role in getting us closer.

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In Brief Dakota County public health workers set up a vaccination plan to prepare for getting as many residents the shot as quickly as possible.

State and national leaders set a goal of vaccinating 70 percent of the population by July. Dakota County reached 70 percent in early June when more than 231,000 residents aged 16 and up had received at least one COVID-19 shot.

Reaching that milestone — and continuing to get people vaccinated — means finding ways to connect with harder-to-reach populations.

These residents tend to live farther

Dakota County reached

70%

in early June … from our service centers and vaccine clinics. Sometimes they lack access to transportation. They generally have had little or no interaction with public health services.

Also, misinformation about the science behind the vaccines and their side effects led some people to hold off on getting vaccinated.

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Despite these barriers, we reached unvaccinated residents by meeting people where they live and work.

We have set up mass clinics at our service centers and at large community sites, including Metcalf Middle School in Burnsville.

Employees and volunteers from our Medical Reserve Corps greeted people at vaccine clinics, helped with appointments, gave shots and monitored vaccinated people for any immediate side effects. For people who can’t easily leave their homes, we offer personal at-home vaccinations.

We transformed a trailer into a mobile vaccination clinic using federal COVID-19 relief funding. The trailer has made it easy to vaccinate people at their jobsite or apartment building.

The mobile unit carries all necessary

In Brief

Protecting your water The company wanted to export up to 500 million gallons of groundwater annually. That’s nearly as much water as the entire city of Farmington uses in a year. The State of Minnesota denied permits the company needed for the project, but Dakota County commissioners wanted to make sure that type of request doesn’t get approved in the future.

equipment, making it easier for us to reach people who live farther away.

Any community organization or business that meets the criteria can request that our mobile clinic provide COVID-19 vaccinations. After the pandemic, the mobile clinic will be used for other outreach in the community, including flu shots.

Also, to build trust and help inform residents about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines, we partnered with community organizations that have strong ties to our Hispanic, Somali, East African and other minority populations. These partners connect one-on-one with residents and families to help them get COVID-19 tests, vaccinations and financial relief.

If you have questions about COVID-19 or the vaccine, visit www.dakotacounty.us, search covid-19.

Dakota County is putting the lid on attempts to send your drinking water elsewhere.

The county toughened regulations that protect groundwater use after a company had applied to tap into our supply

and ship it to the southwest United States. The board of commissioners in April 2021 prohibited new wells that use more than 50 million gallons of groundwater a year for commercial or institutional purposes. That includes shipping it by train to other parts of the country.

Protecting groundwater is important because it is drinking water for 90 percent of county residents. That includes everybody except those who live in West St. Paul, Lilydale, Mendota and Mendota Heights. Their water comes from the Mississippi River.

As the county population grows, there will be more local demand on the groundwater supply — possibly drawing it down to half the current levels within 20 years just to serve residents and businesses.

We also want to make sure local farmers have enough water for their crops and livestock.

Dakota County ranks second among Minnesota counties for farming irrigation. That’s because we have many farms and the type of soil common in some areas of the county requires irrigation.

We didn’t stop with our own regulations. The county also asked legislators to pass a state law banning groundwater exports for use elsewhere.

The Legislature approved that ban this summer — another step to protect your water.

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In Brief

Plan on it Know what to do this fall and winter.

Monthly

September–October

October–November

Immunizations are available for uninsured adults and children at the Northern and Western service centers.

Call 952-891-7999 to schedule an appointment. www.dakotacounty.us, search immunization clinics.

Hear from best-selling authors in virtual appearances on Facebook Live (Dakota County Library and Club Book Facebook pages).

Club Book is supported by Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. www.dakotacounty.us/library, search club book.

• Oct. 16, noon–3 p.m., Wescott Library, Eagan

Immunization Clinics

September

Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Safely dispose of chemicals, confidential material and electronics for free ($10 fee for TVs and computer monitors). www.dakotacounty.us, search one-day collection.

• Sept. 25, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Burnsville Maintenance Facility Burnsville

Club Book

• Sept. 16, 7 p.m.

Angeline Boulley, a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, with her debut book “Fire Keeper’s Daughter.”

• Oct. 7, 7 p.m.

Kate Quinn, author of historical fiction, with her latest novels “The Alice Network,” “The Huntress” and “The Rose Code.”

Fix-It Clinics

• Nov. 20, noon–3 p.m., Heritage Library, Lakeville

Oct. 6–Nov. 10

Master Recycler/Composter Class

Master waste reduction, recycling and composting and learn to inspire others on Wednesdays, 6:30–9 p.m. at Western Service Center in Apple Valley. www.dakotacounty.us, search master recycler.

Driving tips for a safer winter trip Winter road conditions — slippery roads, black ice and whiteouts — can sneak up on even the most veteran driver.

Follow these tips to stay safe on the road this winter.

Clear the way

Lights on

Give snowplows room to work.

They travel at slower speeds and may have a difficult time seeing your vehicle, especially during snow events.

Make sure your lights are on all the time during low-visibility conditions.

Know where to go

Slow down

Speed limits are designed for ideal driving conditions. Drive for the road condition you’re in.

Plan ahead

Make sure to pack an emergency kit in your vehicle that includes blankets, a flashlight, spare batteries, nonperishable food and warm clothes.

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Avoid roads that are rarely traveled or run parallel to an open field when strong winds and snow can cause low visibility and icy conditions.

Skip cruise control

Turn off your cruise control and hold the steering wheel with two hands. www.dakotacounty.us, search winter driving

9 SMART CENTER OPENS 10 TIME FOR REAL ID

Protecting the public and being accountable Sheriff’s Office shows transparency in its work

Law enforcement officers must build trust in the communities they serve to effectively maintain public safety. One of the best ways to do that is by being transparent and accountable to those they serve. Pulling the curtain back on how law enforcement conducts its business is important.

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Our Work

Transparency in policing isn’t a new concept, but one that is rapidly evolving.

Residents want more information and data. Law enforcement policies and procedures have become highly soughtafter information.

The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office has worked hard throughout the years to build trust in the community.

To highlight this, the Sheriff’s Office posted information on ethics; accountability; mental health and de-escalation training; and more on the county website, so residents can understand how the department is performing in these important areas.

Ethics The Sheriff’s Office holds a high standard for staff conduct. To make sure standards meet the needs of the public, the Sheriff’s Office works with the Citizen Advisory Council on a regular basis. The council is a diverse group of residents representing many backgrounds and areas of interest.

They provide helpful community feedback on policies and issues.

The Sheriff's Office holds a high standard for staff conduct.

The Sheriff’s Office also trains members of the department on peer intervention strategies using the Ethical Policing is Courageous (EPIC) program. This program gives staff tools to hold peers accountable and prevent harm before it occurs.

Accountability Having policy and training requirements is important, but it is only as good as the people implementing them. The Sheriff’s Office uses software called Guardian Tracking to help measure how staff perform.

The software stores information on a deputy’s exposure to traumatic events, training history, response to incidents involving people who resist arrest or assistance, and any vehicle pursuits and crashes. It lets supervisors know when one of their deputies has experienced traumatic incidents, so they can be better informed about potential mental health concerns.

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In addition, the office reviews all instances of resistance response, pursuit and vehicle crashes.

Administrative reviews are completed to determine any potential criminal activity or if staff violated policy. Also, internal review boards made up of staff from throughout the department make sure training and equipment needs are met and current policies follow best practices.

The office also established rules for the use of body-worn cameras and drones. Those rules are posted online for all residents to see.

Our Work

Mental health and de-escalation In many cases, a law enforcement officer is the first to respond to mental health crisis situations. Training in this area has become increasingly important, and the Sheriff’s Office is leading the way to make sure deputies are prepared for any emergency scenario.

All sworn deputies complete Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training.

This 40-hour certified training gives them skills to handle psychotic disorders, suicide threats and post-traumatic stress incidents. This will be held at the county's new Safety and Mental Health Alternative Response Training (SMART) Center for first responders.

Training gives deputies skills to handle any emergency scenario.

Time for training

SMART Center to help first responders Important first responder training begins this fall at the new Dakota County Safety and Mental Health Alternative Response Training (SMART) Center. The facility in Inver Grove Heights will be home to the Minnesota Crisis Intervention Team, the Dakota County Drug Task Force and the Dakota County Electronic Crimes Unit.

The center will host crisis and de-escalation training for law enforcement officers and first responders. Its five training rooms and conference room allow for flexible training space. The training rooms will have different layouts and allow for various scenarios. For example, they can be transformed to look like a living room or a bar setting. Actors will be used and sound can be pumped in to make the scenes more realistic.

Sessions can be recorded, so first

responders can watch and evaluate their performance afterward.

Typically, trainings like these have been held in school classrooms, offices or garage bays. The SMART Center’s more dynamic space allows for the customization needed to increase the stress levels of responders similar to what they would experience in a realworld situation.

In addition to crisis and de-escalation training, the center will offer training in bias and cultural awareness and officer wellness. Use-of-force training will include virtual reality equipment. Since the center’s focus is on de-escalation training, there is no shooting range on site.

Residents will also be able to attend citizen academies and other trainings at the SMART Center to see what first responders experience on a daily basis.

Staff also learn to communicate with people behaving in a challenging or dangerous way. All new hires receive this two-day training that teaches how to communicate effectively, recognize escalating situations and respond in nonconfrontational ways.

The Sheriff’s Office has a lot more information available on the Dakota County website, so the public can learn about how the department is structured as well as its training, development and performance data.

Go to www.dakotacounty.us and search sheriff ’s office transparency.

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Our Work

New deadline

gives you more time to get REAL ID

The federal government has set its third deadline to get a REAL ID, enhanced driver’s license or other acceptable form of ID to fly within the U.S. or enter a federal facility.

The deadline was pushed back from Oct. 1, 2021 to May 3, 2023.

Dakota County is making it easier for you to skip the lines and meet this deadline. You can reserve an appointment at three Dakota County locations to apply for a REAL ID or enhanced driver’s license.

To make an appointment, visit www.dakotacounty.us, search license centers. Walk-ins are also available, but appointments are encouraged.

The deadline was extended twice due to issues brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many states’ licensing agencies operated at limited capacity.

As a result, only about 43 percent of driver’s licenses and identification cards were REAL ID compliant as of April 2021.

You can spend less time at the counter by accessing the Minnesota Driver & Vehicle Services pre-application form on the Dakota County website. From the website, you can complete the form

ahead of time and find a list of accepted identification documents.

REAL ID and enhanced ID applications are accepted at the Administration Center in Hastings and the Burnsville and Lakeville license centers.

License centers also changed hours to meet your busy lifestyle. Lakeville License Center is open until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. Burnsville License Center stays open until 7 p.m. on Thursdays.

Updated business hours for all locations are on the Dakota County website.

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11 LEGAL HELP 14 GET CONNECTED

Getting back on your feet Job search services, counselors can help you toward financial security

As the saying goes, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

There’s also no free place to stay or free vehicle to get around.

We all need money to provide for our basic needs, but we also need money to help us reach our goals — whether that is getting a degree, owning a home, starting a business or just taking a vacation.

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Community counseling to connect with hiring employers, help write a winning résumé and prepare for a job interview.

The centers offer virtual and inperson job fairs and hiring events, so you can get in front of some of Dakota County’s best employers.

The pandemic left a lot of people struggling to meet those basic needs, but Dakota County has services that will help you get back on your feet and working toward financial security.

For many residents, the pandemic left them without work. Dakota County can help turn the crisis into an opportunity to find a better job or change careers altogether.

We’re the only county in Minnesota to provide financial counseling to residents.

You can also sign up for the Dislocated Worker Program. This program for residents who’ve lost their jobs through no fault of their own will provide funds to let you learn new skills for more in-demand careers, such as truck driving, project management, and various information technology positions.

For more information, go to www.dakotacounty.us and search job search.

For those who want to stay on the same career path, the county’s CareerForce Centers can help you get noticed. The centers in Burnsville and at the Northern Service Center in West St. Paul offer one-on-one

Job fairs and hiring events get you in front of some of Dakota County’s best employers.

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Once you’ve landed the job, Dakota County can help you make the right decisions to be more financially secure. We’re the only county in Minnesota and 1 of 2 counties in the nation to provide financial counseling to residents.

There are no income requirements.

Anyone living in Dakota County can meet one-on-one with a certified financial counselor.

Counselors work for the county and don’t come with an agenda.

They aren’t trying to sell you products or collect your information — they truly have your best interest in mind.

Counselors go through rigorous coursework and complete 1,000 hours of counseling to be accredited by the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE), a nationally recognized leader in financial counseling, coaching and education.

The program is stress free and flexible.

You tell us what you want to do, and counselors lead you to resources for help. You decide how much information to share and even decide how many times you want to meet.

Community

Counselors know how to get you ready for a mortgage and will lead you to first-time homebuyer programs.

Our counselors can’t work with residents on investments, retirement or taxes. Instead, they focus on three main goals — setting a budget, improving credit and getting out of debt, and becoming ready for a mortgage.

Counselors help their clients align their spending with their values.

This makes it easier to understand where money is going and gets people to think more about their futures.

For many people who are financially insecure, they are thinking only about their next meal or next rent payment.

Setting a budget allows people to think down the road.

Credit and debt can be a mystery, but our counselors will do anything an advertised credit repair agency can do for no cost to you, so you can establish, repair or improve your credit score.

Home ownership is one of the best ways to grow personal wealth.

Counselors know how to get you ready for a mortgage and will lead you to first-time homebuyer programs.

To get started, go to www.dakotacounty.us and search personal finance. Residents new to the program can make an appointment request online. You can meet with a counselor in person, over the phone or on Zoom.

Getting people the

legal help they need Getting critical services often depends on having a computer and internet connection at home, and the COVID-19 pandemic made that difficult for residents who lack basic access to those tools.

These critical services included legal resources for some residents who needed them most — until now.

The county partnered with the Minnesota Legal Services Coalition,

which used federal COVID-19 relief funds to provide more than 250 legal kiosks statewide, including several in Dakota County. Those kiosks, or computer stations, are intended to make it easier for vulnerable residents to access free legal resources.

There are kiosks at the law libraries in the Dakota County Western Service Center in Apple Valley and the Judicial Center in Hastings. Each includes a computer with a scanner, printer and copier.

The Dakota County Northern Service Center in West St. Paul also has a kiosk with only a computer. It is in the court area.

The kiosks are free to use and can be accessed any time the buildings are open. You don’t need anything special to access them — just sit down and start typing.

These kiosks can help residents who have technology and transportation barriers access resources such as informational tools via www.lawhelpmn.org and apply for services through Legal Aid of Dakota County. The kiosks can also be used to participate in remote court hearings.

In addition to the kiosks in Dakota County buildings, there are five others available in the county.

360Communities has two available — one each at its Burnsville and Rosemount locations. One is available at Legal Aid of Dakota County in Apple Valley, another at the Hastings Family Service in Hastings and another at Neighbors Inc. in South St. Paul.

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Community

Bring home free Wi-Fi Dakota County Library is making it easier for you to do schoolwork, look for a job and connect with family and friends online.

Anyone with a Dakota County Library card can check out a Chromebook and a Wi-Fi hotspot from any of the nine county library locations. Check out either a kit that includes a Chromebook and a Wi-Fi hotspot or just a hotspot for up to six weeks. Just like other library materials, there’s no charge to check out and borrow these devices.

software. Using a Chromebook, you can create and share documents, search the web and more. Your work is automatically saved in your Google account, not on the Chromebook.

Once you log out, your personal data is not accessible to other users.

Each device comes with a charging cord and detailed instructions on how to connect to either your personal or home internet connection or to the

Wi-Fi hotspot. Technical support is also available.

Library users have access to 400 Wi-Fi hotspots and 250 Chromebook and Wi-Fi hotspot kits, which the county purchased last year with funds from the federal coronavirus relief bill as many residents began remote learning and teleworking. They are perfect for students or those who do not have access to a computer.

From October 2020 through May 2021, the devices were borrowed more than 2,300 times.

Chromebooks — similar to a laptop — are fast, lightweight and portable.

They operate using internet-based applications, including Google Docs and Google Hangouts, instead of traditional

For more information about Chromebooks and Wi-Fi hotspots, visit www.dakotacounty.us/library, search chromebook.

Homework helpers — Library tutors available to all Homework can mean many things to students — learning new material, finishing a project or cramming for a test. For some students, homework can also cause feelings of fear or anxiety.

Dakota County Library’s Homework Help service is available to make sure students get assistance and support with their work, so they can succeed in school. Homework Help tutors work one-on-one with students in grades K–12, guiding them in any subject. Students can go to either

the Galaxie Library in Apple Valley or Burnhaven Library in Burnsville to receive help with their homework.

Homework Help tutors are community volunteers. They are trained by the Minnesota Literacy Council and the library. Our volunteers represent many different backgrounds and look for ways to welcome our increasingly diverse county population. For instance, at some Burnhaven Library sessions, we offered Somali tea to students as well as their parents.

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Galaxie Library in Apple Valley

Burnhaven Library in Burnsville

Since Homework Help started in 2017, tutors have assisted more than 1,000 students with their schoolwork.

If you need homework support or would like to volunteer as a tutor, go to www.dakotacounty.us/library and search homework help.

Your Parks PROGRAMS & EVENTS • FALL & WINTER 2021

Returning to the prairie Bison herd to graze at Spring Lake Park Reserve

ALSO

FOLLOW US

www.dakotacounty.us/parks www.dakotacounty.us/parks

Ski lessons Special events Family activities fall/winter 2021 | www.dakotacounty.us |

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The future of Spring Lake Park Reserve looks a little more like the past.

Dakota County plans to introduce a small herd of American plains bison to the park to help establish and manage prairies with thriving native plants, animals and pollinating insects.

Up until the early 1800s, bison roamed most of Minnesota and across the Great Plains.

The population was decimated following the Civil War and nearly went extinct. There is an effort to increase the number of bison in Minnesota. Dakota County is working with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Zoo to establish a bison herd with no cattle genes in the state.

We manage the natural resources in all county parks, including prairies. Controlled burns, seeding, mowing and invasive

plant removal are some of the methods used. Bison historically were an important part of healthy prairies. They grazed on grasses, spread plant seeds with their body movement and provided other plants and flowers an opportunity to grow. Reintroducing bison will benefit the ecosystem and give visitors yet another reason to explore the park.

Spring Lake is located along the Mississippi River between Rosemount and Hastings. It’s the best Dakota County park for a bison herd due to its size, existing prairies and other factors. Roughly 160 acres of the 1,200-acre park will be used for the project — with several secured grazing areas where the bison will roam.

The county plans to release the first bison into the park by fall

2022, beginning with fewer than a dozen animals. The land being used for this project will accommodate up to 15 bison.

A herd of too many animals could damage the prairie and jeopardize the bison.

The bison reintroduction needs to be done in a safe way. All areas of the park where bison will roam will be protected with fencing and other safety measures. The county received a state grant to support the use of fencing and other improvements such as electrical service — that work is already underway.

Park visitors cannot touch or get close to the bison, but they will be able to watch them from observation areas and along the

Mississippi River Greenway, which passes through the park. Signs and education programs will help tell the bison’s story.

Visitors will also learn about the strong connection between bison and the Dakota tribes that lived on the land and continue to live in the area. Bison are an important part of Indigenous culture, providing food and clothing and spiritual significance. It’s important to honor that relationship, so the county is working with Dakota tribal members to plan the bison’s return and other park upgrades.

We’re already studying current conditions of the park, so we can track the bison's impact on the land. That includes recording plant species, birds, reptiles and amphibians found at Spring Lake.

That data will be monitored over time, including with the help of county volunteers.

Reintroducing bison will benefit the prairie, highlight the importance of the animal to the Indigenous tribes that have deep connections to the land and provide park visitors a unique experience to witness an iconic symbol of America’s past.

Using fire to improve habitat One of the best ways to manage native prairies and wooded areas is by burning them.

Dakota County uses prescribed or controlled burns to restore and maintain prairies and woodlands, encourage native plant growth and control the spread of invasive species, including buckthorn and garlic mustard.

Native plants and animals evolved with fire. Prior to European settlement, fires occurred naturally by lightning, and Native Americans lit fires as well.

It burns dead grasses, or thatch, making it easier for prairie plant seeds to contact the soil and grow.

It also burns woody plants that, if left unchecked, can limit sunlight needed by native plants and wildflowers.

The county burns 300 to 400 acres per year — mostly in the spring and fall — throughout the park system.

Prescribed burns are conducted on fewer than 40 acres at a time. An area is burned on a cycle — the first time usually is 2–4 years after a prairie is seeded, and then every 3–6 years.

Wooded areas are burned less frequently.

Safety is the top priority for prescribed burns. All of the county’s burns are done by trained professionals and staff. Permits are required from the State of Minnesota and local fire departments. Weather conditions must be just right — humidity levels and certain wind speed and directions — otherwise a burn is called off. Park trails are closed for burns, if necessary, and we try to keep smoke out of neighborhoods and roadways. A prescribed burn is always staffed until it is out cold.

It’s important to keep people informed before a prescribed burn.

The county mails postcards to park neighbors who live near areas where a burn is scheduled. Signs are posted on trails and roads during a burn. The county provides advance notice of scheduled burns through the Parks e-news. Information about prescribed burns is also shared on the Parks Facebook page.

To learn more, visit www.dakotacounty.us, search prescribed burn.

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PROGRAMS & EVENTS www.dakotacounty.us/parks, click Programs & Events

Program registration for fall and winter opens Sept. 1 HOMESCHOOL LAB YOUTH KNEE-HIGH NATURALISTS

Discover nature with a child through hands-on activities, outdoor exploration, art projects, storytime and more.

Ages: 3–6 Fee: $8/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Spider Secrets

Learn about spiders and how they create their webs and make your own web to take home.

Activity Number: 212001-01 • Thu, Oct. 7; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 212001-02 • Sat, Oct. 9; 10–11:30 am

Seeds and Nuts

Explore seeds and nuts on a nature walk and use seeds to create your own art.

Activity Number: 212001-03 • Thu, Nov. 18; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 212001-04 • Sat, Nov. 20; 10–11:30 am

Fantastic Foxes

Discover how foxes “talk” with their tails and play games to learn about fox behavior.

Activity Number: 212001-05 • Thu, Dec. 9; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 212001-06 • Sat, Dec. 11; 10–11:30 am

A Snow Flea Circus

Learn about snow fleas and discover how they and other insects survive the winter.

Activity Number: 212001-07 • Thu, Jan. 13; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 212001-08 • Sat, Jan. 15; 10–11:30 am

Snow and Ice

Take a nature walk to discover what makes snow and ice different and learn to paint with ice.

Activity Number: 212001-09 • Thu, Feb. 10; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 212001-10 • Sat, Feb. 12; 10–11:30 am

Maple Trees and Syrup

Learn to identify maple trees and tap a tree for sap.

Activity Number: 212001-11 • Thu, March 10; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 212001-12 • Sat, March 12; 10–11:30 am

Use the park as your lab for handson study and scientific inquiry and experimentation.

Age: 6–12 Fee: $8/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Forest Ecology

Learn the parts and products of our forests and conduct a biodiversity survey.

Activity Number: 211501-01 • Wed, Oct. 6; 1–3 pm Activity Number: 211501-02 • Thu, Oct. 7; 1–3 pm

Field Observations

Increase your awareness of nature and make observations through field exercises and journaling.

Activity Number: 211501-03 • Wed, Nov. 3; 1–3 pm Activity Number: 211501-04 • Thu, Nov. 4; 1–3 pm

Biology of Owls

Explore the world of these nocturnal predators. Go for an owl prowl and dissect pellets to discover what they eat.

Activity Number: 211501-05 • Wed, Dec. 1; 1–3 pm Activity Number: 211501-06 • Thu, Dec. 2; 1–3 pm

Winter Games

Embrace the season by getting outside to play traditional and modern games.

Activity Number: 211501-07 • Wed, Jan. 12; 1–3 pm Activity Number: 211501-08 • Thu, Jan. 13; 1–3 pm

Under the Ice

Discover what happens in a winter lake by testing water quality and searching for plants and animals.

Activity Number: 211501-09 • Wed, Feb. 2; 1–3 pm Activity Number: 211501-10 • Thu, Feb. 3; 1–3 pm

Maple Syrup

Learn some syrup history and the skills to identify maples and tap your own tree.

Activity Number: 211501-11 • Wed, March 2; 1–3 pm Activity Number: 211501-12 • Thu, March 3; 1–3 pm

Daisy Girl Scouts: Eco Learner

Learn how you can protect the environment through practices like Leave No Trace.

Age: 5–6 Activity Number: 212301-01 • Sun, Nov. 21; 10 am–noon

Bear Cub Scouts: Fur, Feathers and Ferns

Take a hike to learn about endangered species and examine plants.

Age: 8–9 Activity Number: 212307-01 • Sun, Nov. 21; 2–4 pm

SCOUT BADGES

Wolf Cub Scouts: Finding Your Way

Brownie Girl Scouts: Bugs Badge

Tiger Cub Scouts: Backyard Jungle

Webelos: Into the Woods

Junior Girl Scouts: Animal Habitats

Earn your scout badge or adventure in these two-hour programs.

Fee: $8/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Learn about insects and catch them to examine them up close.

Age: 6–9 Activity Number: 212302-01 • Sat, Oct. 9; 2–4 pm

Learn about park ecosystems and the roles animals and plants play in maintaining their health.

Age: 9–11 Activity Number: 212308-01 • Wed, Oct. 13; 6–8 pm

Learn how to read a compass and a map and complete a scavenger hunt.

Age: 7–8 Activity Number: 212306-01 • Sun, March 6; 2–4 pm

Take a hike to learn about animals and animal signs in the park.

Age: 6–7 Activity Number: 212305-01 • Sat, March 12; 2–4 pm

Discover the amazing ways animals build shelters and the habitats they call home.

Age: 9–11 Activity Number: 212303-01 • Wed, March 30; 6–8 pm

Forest Play DAY CAMPS Join us during breaks or on school release days for fall and winter day camps.

Archery

Learn archery basics, including proper technique and range safety.

Hone your new skills with shooting on the range.

Age: 8–12 Fee: $35/youth Archery Shelter Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 210406-01 • Fri, Oct. 22; 9 am–3 pm

Forest Friends

Explore how the woods and their inhabitants get ready for winter through walks, storytime, games and art.

Age: 6–8 Fee: $25/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210406-02 • Fri, Nov. 5; 9 am–noon

Winter Wilderness Survival

Learn shelter building, fire starting and other outdoor skills to survive the winter.

Age: 8–12 Fee: $35/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210406-03 • Fri, Jan 21; 9 am–3 pm

Nature Detectives

Use your detective skills to search for clues and uncover who is living in the forest and what they are doing.

Age: 8–12 Fee: $35/youth Dakota Lodge Thompson County Park Activity Number: 210406-04 • Fri, March 11; 9 am–3 pm

FAMILY

FOREVER WILD FAMILY FRIDAY

Join us for family fun on the first Friday of every month with park activities.

All ages Free

Autumn Splendor

Learn how trees adapt to prepare for winter.

Dakota Lodge Thompson County Park Activity Number: 211001-01 • Fri, Oct. 1; 6–7:30 pm

Coyote Fun

Leap into the world of these crafty canines and learn their importance in our parks.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211001-02 • Fri, Nov. 5; 6–7:30 pm

Whitetail Deer

Discover the world of white-tailed deer and spot their signs in the park.

Empire Shelter Whitetail Woods Regional Park Activity Number: 211001-03 • Fri, Dec. 3; 6–7:30 pm

Explore Fawn Crossing Nature Play Area and the animals that live on the forest floor.

Empire Shelter Whitetail Woods Regional Park Activity Number: 211001-06 • Fri, March 4; 6–7:30 pm

NORTHERN SAW-WHET BANDING

SENSORY FRIENDLY SUNDAY

STORYWALK

Activity Number: 211004-02 • Sun, Feb. 27; 10–11 am

Take a self-guided walk while reading picture book pages displayed along the trail.

All ages Free East Shelter Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 210902-01 • Thur–Mon, Oct. 21–25; 8 am–8 pm

CREATURES OF THE NIGHT

Use your senses to experience winter on a self-guided walk.

Dakota Lodge Thompson County Park Activity Number: 211001-04 • Fri, Jan. 7; 6–7:30 pm

Fun on the Ice

COBWEBS AND CACHES

Enjoy an evening of family fun on the ice. Try a kicksled for free.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211001-05 • Fri, Feb. 4; 6–7:30 pm

Drop off unused outdoor gear items or pick up new-to-you gear. Please do not bring chemicals or broken items.

All ages Free Dakota Lodge Thompson County Park Activity Number: 212401-01 Sun, Oct. 31; noon–3 pm

Learn about the northern saw-whet owl in this program co-sponsored

by Carpenter Nature Center. Watch staff band owls and discover what makes these small creatures unique.

All ages Fee: $10/person Gathering Center Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 211711-01 • Thu, Oct. 21; 8–9 pm

Join a hike to learn how animals have adapted to the night and how darkness can play tricks on our senses.

Age: 5 and older Fee: $5/person Empire Shelter Whitetail Woods Regional Park Activity Number: 211404-01 • Wed, Oct. 27; 6–8 pm

Winter Walk

OUTDOOR GEAR SWAP

Use a GPS unit to find hidden jacko’-lantern caches and collect a prize.

Bring your own GPS unit or borrow one of ours. Costumes encouraged.

All ages Fee: $8/person; ages 5 and under free Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211002-01 • Fri, Oct. 29; 5–8 pm

Learn about the seasons and what’s happening outdoors through books, short activities and a nature walk.

Age: 5–10 Free; pre-registration required Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Autumn!

Activity Number: 211004-01 • Sun, Nov. 7; 10–11 am

Winter!

LET'S GO OWLING

Delve into the world of owls and take a hike to hear and see these nocturnal hunters at work.

Age: 5 and older Fee: $5/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211702-01 • Sat, Dec. 18; 4:30–6:30 pm Activity Number: 211702-01 • Sat, Jan. 8; 4:30–6:30 pm

PARENT CHILD CROSS-COUNTRY SKI LESSONS Learn the basic skills of classic-style cross-country skiing in a familyfriendly environment.

Age: 5 and older Fee: $15/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210602-01 • Sun, Jan. 9; 10 am–noon Activity Number: 210602-02 • Sat, Jan. 22; 2–4 pm Activity Number: 210602-03 • Sat, Jan. 29; 10 am–noon Activity Number: 210602-04 • Sun, Feb. 13; 2–4 pm Activity Number: 210602-05 • Thu, Feb. 17; 4–6 pm Activity Number: 210602-06 • Sat, Feb. 26; 10 am–noon

PROGRAMS & EVENTS CROSS-COUNTRY SKI LESSONS ADULT LIVING GREEN

Join the Environmental Resources team to learn living green techniques.

Age: 16 and older Free; pre-registration required Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Low-Waste Holidays

Learn how to create a low-waste holiday from crafty wrapping to planning experience gifts.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 212402-01 • Tue, Nov. 9; 6:30–7:30 pm

Green Spring Clean

WILD ART FOR FAMILIES

Join us to create art inspired by nature. Sponsored by Minnesota's Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

Seed Art

Use seeds of various colors and sizes to craft a work of art to take home.

Age: 5 and older Free; pre-registration required Dakota Lodge Thompson County Park Activity Number: 210202-02 • Thu, Oct. 14; 5:30–7:30 pm

Clay Creatures

Use animal examples from the natural world to create your own creature out of clay with instructors from Artistry.

Age: 8 and older Free; pre-registration required Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210202-03 • Thu, Jan. 27; 5:30–7:30 pm

LEARN TO ICE FISH

Learn the basics of ice fishing, including equipment and technique.

Age: 8 and older Fee: $5/person Holland Lake Shelter Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211104-01 • Sat, Jan. 22; 10 am–noon Activity Number: 211104-02 • Sat, Feb. 12; 10 am–noon

MAPLE SYRUPING

Learn some syrup history and the skills to identify maples and tap your own tree. Visit anytime to explore the stations. Registration not required.

All ages Free East Shelter Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 211712-01 • Sun, March 20; 1–4 pm

FAMILY HIKES

Join a park naturalist on a guided hike in the park.

All ages Free; pre-registration required

Learn eco-friendly cleaning methods and create a bottle of cleaning spray to bring home.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 212402-02 • Wed, March 16; 6–7 pm

FALL COLORS CANOE

Learn to paddle and portage while experiencing the brilliant colors of fall.

Age: 16 and older Fee: $15/person Schulze Beach Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211901-01 • Sat, Oct. 2; 1–4 pm

BEGINNER ARCHERY

Enjoy the fall colors and hunt for other signs of autumn.

East Shelter Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 211406-01 • Sat, Oct. 2; 10–11 am

Learn archery stance, follow through, equipment styles and safety. Hone your new skills with target practice.

Age: 16 and older Fee: $15/person Archery Shelter Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 110102-01 • Sun, Oct 24; noon–3 pm

Animal Signs

CIDER AND CEDARS

Fall Colors

Look for animal signs and tracks while on your walk.

Empire Shelter Whitetail Woods Regional Park Activity Number: 211406-02 • Sat, Dec. 4; 10–11 am

Winter Birds

Learn what birds live in the park during the winter and how to spot them.

Dakota Lodge Thompson County Park Activity Number: 211406-03 • Sat, Feb. 26; 10–11 am

Sip on hot apple cider and create festive wreaths of cedar boughs, harvested from the park as part of natural resources restoration efforts.

Age: 16 and older Fee: $20/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210204-01 • Tue, Dec. 7; 6:30-8:30 pm Activity Number: 210204-02 • Wed, Dec. 8; 1–3 pm

Learn about equipment, trails and technique in this introduction to classic-style cross-country skiing.

Age: 16 and older Fee: $25/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210603-01 • Sun, Jan. 9; 2–4 pm Activity Number: 210603-02 • Sat, Jan. 22; 10 am–noon Activity Number: 210603-03 • Sat, Jan. 29; 2–4 pm Activity Number: 210603-04 • Sun, Feb. 13; 10 am–noon Activity Number: 210603-05 • Thu, Feb. 24; 4–6 pm Activity Number: 210603-06 • Sat, Feb. 26; 2–4 pm

WINTER LANDSCAPE PAINTING

Learn basic landscape painting techniques, including brushwork and color mixing, with artist Anne McFaul Reid. Sponsored by Minnesota's Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

Age: 16 and older Free; pre-registration required Dakota Lodge Thompson County Park Activity Number: 210202-01 • Sun, Jan. 23; 1–3 pm

VALENTINE SNOWSHOE

Take a guided snowshoe hike and end the evening with hot cocoa around the bonfire.

Age: 16 and older Fee: $15/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211401-01 • Mon, Feb. 14; 6:30–8 pm

FULL MOON SNOWSHOE

Explore the woods on a guided snowshoe hike under the light of a full moon.

Age: 16 and older Fee: $15/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211401-02 • Wed, Feb. 16; 7–9 pm

BUCKTHORN SPOON CARVING Discover how to carve a spoon using freshly cut buckthorn with instructors from Women's Woodshop. Learn about axing out a blank, knife skills, and drying and finishing.

Age: 18 and older Fee: $60/person Camp Sacajawea Retreat Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211709-01 • Sat, March 19; noon–3 pm

www.dakotacounty.us/parks, click Programs & Events OPT OUTSIDE

Celebrate the outdoors with the whole family on Black Friday. Stroll along a trail to find hidden objects, use your own GPS or phone app to search for themed geocaches and take on our annual medallion hunt.

All ages Free • Fri, Nov. 26; 10 am–4 pm

EVENTS WILD RIDE MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL CANCELED

The 2021 festival is canceled due to COVID-19. Mark your calendar for next year: Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.

Activity Number: 210804-01 Lebanon Hills Regional Park Visitor Center

NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY CANCELED The 2021 event is canceled due to COVID-19, and we need your help to continue to celebrate our exceptional public lands. Submit pictures and video clips of you and your family enjoying Dakota County Parks on the Dakota County Parks Facebook page the week of Sept. 20 in honor of National Public Lands Day.

LAKE BYLLESBY REGIONAL PARK OPEN HOUSE

Join us on National Public Lands Day to explore improvements at Lake Byllesby Regional Park. Tour the park and see activities in the new naturethemed play area of Lake Byllesby Beach. Take a self-guided walk or bike ride along the new paved lakeside trail with interpretive spots out to Echo Point. Food trucks and live music from 5-7 pm.

All ages Free Lake Byllesby Regional Park Activity Number: 210809-01 • Sat, Sept. 25; 3–7 pm

Activity Number: 210804-02 Whitetail Woods Regional Park Main Trailhead Activity Number: 210804-03 Thompson County Park North Shelter

NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY WHITETAIL WOODS REGIONAL PARK OPEN HOUSE

Join us to see improvements at Whitetail Woods Regional Park. Tour camper cabins and the enhanced Fawn Crossing Nature Play Area. Enjoy a self-guided walk or bike ride around the new paved loop with interpretive stops around Empire Lake. Food trucks and live music from 4-6 pm.

All ages Free Whitetail Woods Regional Park Activity Number: 210809-02 • Tuesday, Oct. 12; 2-6 p.m.

Celebrate New Year's Eve with candlelight ice skating, hiking and snowshoeing, or sliding on a lit sledding hill. Stay for the ball drop at 7:59 p.m. Bring your own sleds and ice skates. Dogs not permitted.

All ages Fee: $8/person; youth ages 5 and under free. Tickets on sale Dec. 1.

Snowshoe equipment rental available by pre-reservation only. Equipment rental reservation available Dec. 1.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210802-01 • Fri, Dec. 31; 5–8 pm

TRAILS BY CANDLELIGHT

Enjoy parks by flickering candlelight and warm up with crackling bonfires.

Dogs not permitted.

All ages Fee: $8/person; youth ages 5 and under free. Tickets on sale Dec. 1.

Thompson County Park

Enjoy hiking and snowshoe trails and plowed walking paths. Bring your own equipment if desired.

Dakota Lodge Activity Number: 210803-01 • Fri, Jan. 14; 6–9 pm

Spring Lake Park Reserve

Take in stunning views of the Mississippi River as you enjoy crosscountry ski trails and plowed walking paths. Bring your own ski equipment.

Dakota County Parks ski pass required for skiers.

Schaar's Bluff Gathering Center Activity Number: 210803-02 • Fri, Jan. 28; 6–9 pm

Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Enjoy cross-country ski trails, hiking and snowshoe trails, and plowed walking paths. Bring your own equipment if desired. Ski and snowshoe rental available by preregistration only; rental reservations available Dec. 1. Dakota County Parks ski pass required for skiers.

Lebanon Hills Visitor Center Activity Number: 210803-03 • Fri, Feb. 11; 6–9 pm

INFORMATION REGISTRATION PAYMENT

SCHOLARSHIPS

Payment is due at registration.

All major credit cards are accepted.

Call 952-891-7000.

IF WE NEED TO CANCEL

At least three weeks before the program, tell us what accommodation would make the program accessible to you or your family.

Cancellations posted at www.dakotacounty.us/parks.

IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL

Refund policy is posted at www.dakotacounty.us/parks, click Programs & Events.

ACCESSIBILITY

EQUIPMENT

Provided unless specified.

EQUIPMENT

RESERVATIONS

RENTAL

BIRTHDAYS, FIELD TRIPS AND MORE

Rent cross-country ski equipment, snowshoes and kicksleds at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center. www.dakotacounty.us/parks, search equipment rental

Celebrate a birthday, take a field trip or book a private program in Dakota County Parks. www.dakotacounty.us/parks, search private program

Thompson County Park West St. Paul

Biking

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Camping

Rosemount Hastings

Apple Valley

Whitetail Woods Regional Park

Dakota Woods Dog Park

Mississippi River Greenway

Canoeing/Kayaking Cross-country skiing Dog on-leash Dogsledding/Skijoring

Coates

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Fishing

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Gardening Lakeville

Geocaching

Vermillion

Hiking

Farmington

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Horseback riding

In-line skating Miesville

Miesville Ravine Park Reserve

Pick up a detailed Parks and Greenways Guide at any park facility.

Cannon Falls Randolph

Lake Byllesby Regional Park

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Kicksledding Mountain biking Paddleboarding Picnicking Play area Recreational bonfire

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Skate skiing Sledding Snowshoeing

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Visitor Center Walking

Celebrate winter in Dakota County Parks www.dakotacounty.us/parks search activities

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Nature play

Swimming

Come for the skiing.

Stay for the s’mores.

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Horseshoes Ice skating

Whitetail Woods Regional Park

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Camper cabin

North Creek Greenway Burnsville

Boating

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Thompson County Park

Archery

Spring Lake Park Reserve

Spring Lake Park Reserve

Mississippi River Greenway

Inver Grove Heights

Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Miesville Ravine Park Reserve

Eagan

Minnesota River Greenway

Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Mendota Heights

South St. Paul

River to River Greenway Lake Byllesby Regional Park

Big Rivers Regional Trail

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24 RESIDENT SCIENTISTS 25 ORGANIC DROP-OFFS

Protecting our wetlands Restoration prevents floods and improves the environment

Wetlands may seem like unusable, swampy land to some, but these shallow, saturated areas are essential to a healthy environment.

They provide food and habitat for countless small organisms — insects, worms, snails and leeches — as well as waterfowl, like ducks and geese, and plants.

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23

Go Green Wetlands also play a big role in protecting land from flooding.

They are like natural sponges, storing excess surface water after spring storms or snowmelt, slowly filtering and releasing water into nearby streams or lakes.

More than half of Minnesota’s wetlands have disappeared since the mid-1880s. Most were drained for farmland, residential and business development, and road expansions.

In 2015, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners adopted a policy that prioritizes wetland restoration to improve water quality, prevent flooding and reduce stormwater runoff.

Banking on wetlands

In some cases, draining or removing a

Become a resident scientist You can help research and protect wetlands in Dakota County.

The Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP) is a volunteerled effort to monitor the health of wetlands throughout the county.

WHEP volunteers collect samples from wetlands to identify living

organisms and plants. The data collected helps understand how land use changes, such as construction or development, and stormwater runoff affect wetlands.

Volunteer groups are located throughout Dakota County, including Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Hastings, Lakeville, Mendota Heights, Rosemount, South St. Paul and West St. Paul. No experience is necessary, and training is provided.

If you are interested in volunteering, visit www.dakotacounty.us and search volunteer.

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wetland is unavoidable due to a road project or other important county work. Before a project begins, the county thoroughly evaluates the wetland site using expert guidance from the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District. The county avoids wetlands whenever possible. We also minimize the disruption of soil and vegetation, and when a wetland is lost, we replace it.

One way to lessen the impact of removing a wetland is by restoring a wetland elsewhere. For example, the county recently completed two wetland projects. They provided credits that can be applied toward a future county project where wetland acreage is lost. This approach makes the county’s wetland permits more cost-effective for taxpayers and ensures wetland replacement occurs within the county.

To learn more about Dakota County’s effort to protect wetlands, visit www.dakotacounty.us, search wetlands.

Go Green

Don’t bag your recyclables Recycling centers are meant to sort milk jugs, cardboard boxes, metal cans and glass bottles — not plastic bags. Plastic bags are an unwelcomed guest in your home recycling cart because they cause problems at recycling facilities.

To make sure your items get recycled properly, keep all plastic bags and plastic wrap and film out and don’t bag your recyclables. If you use a plastic bag to collect and carry your recycling, empty it directly into the cart and then toss the bag in the regular trash.

bags and wrap from around paper towels and toilet paper.

• Put all paper, cardboard, cartons, metal cans, and glass and plastic containers loose in your cart.

• If you need to use a bag for your recycling, use a paper bag.

If a plastic bag finds its way into the recycling facility, it can tangle around sorting machines. Then production stops because they need to be handcut from the equipment. It can a pose a serious safety risk for workers, and it contaminates quality recyclables.

Plastic bags can be recycled but not in your recycling cart. Take clean and dry plastic bags, film and wrap to a local retailer like Cub Foods, Hy-Vee, Kowalski’s, Target and more — look for their recycling station located within each store.

What you can do: • Keep all plastic bags and plastic film and wrap out of your recycling cart — including bread bags, food storage bags, cling wrap, dry cleaning bags, newspaper

3

more ways to keep organics out of landfills

Nearly 1 million tons of food scraps and compostable paper end up in Minnesota landfills every year. Almost 30 percent of what we throw in the trash is organic material that can be collected and turned into nutrientrich compost.

Dakota County is working to keep organics out of landfills by providing free residential organics drop-off sites. Residents can sign up to drop off organics at three new locations:

For more information about recycling and where to bring plastic bags, visit www.dakotacounty.us, search recycling guide.

1 Civic Center Park in Burnsville 2 Mendakota Park in Mendota Heights 3 Farmington Central Maintenance Facility

You can also use the existing five sites in Eagan, Hastings, Lakeville, Rosemount and West St. Paul.

Organics accepted include bakery and dry goods, dairy products, coffee grounds, eggs and eggshells, meat, fish and bones, and fruits and veggies.

Collect household organics in a certified-compostable bag — available for free at each location — or a paper bag and bring them to a drop-off site. The organics are then sent to a commercial facility where it becomes

compost soil for use in gardens and landscaping projects.

Since the program started in 2016, more than 6,000 households have registered to participate. This has kept 10,000 pounds of organics out of landfills each week.

To sign up for the program, call 952-891-7557 or email organics@co.dakota.mn.us.

Participants receive a welcome kit with compostable bags to use at home, tips and a list of acceptable items.

For more information, visit www.dakotacounty.us, search organics.

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MIND F E A T U R E

S T O R Y

MATTERS

Providing mental health resources to those in need

F E A T U R E

S T O R Y

We all have times when we feel stressed, overwhelmed, anxious or sad. Maybe it’s a hard day at work or school, an argument with a loved one, money concerns, the COVID-19 pandemic or other events in our life.

Being able to cope with our emotions is important to our mental health and overall well-being.

Many challenges we face can be the result of a mental illness. These disorders can affect our emotions, feelings and interactions — and they are more common than you might think. About 1 in 5 adults will be affected by a mental illness in their lifetime, and it’s just as common in children and teens.

More people have been willing to seek mental health assistance in recent years. They realize they are not alone, and it’s OK to get help.

However, for some people it’s still difficult to admit they need help.

FINDING THE RIGHT PIECE There are many ways to receive mental health assistance — health care providers, therapists, social workers, school professionals, support groups and others. Having so many options means help is out there, but it can also seem like

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a confusing puzzle, and you just need a hand to find the right pieces. Dakota County helps guide people through that puzzle and find the pieces that fit, so they can improve their lives.

For some residents, a social worker will talk to them about their situation and refer them to experts. Others may just need information about how to cope, such as how to manage stress. Public health staff also work with local schools to make sure students’ mental health needs are met.

Many people rely on friends, family, neighbors, community leaders or health care professionals to coordinate their mental health care or support.

Sometimes, people who do not have health insurance or adequate mental health coverage or have severe mental illnesses need the county to help plan their care. That could include finding specialists, making appointments and guiding them through their journey to better mental health. The county offers this assistance.

If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health issues or other health concerns, such as lack of housing or substance use problems, call 211. Calls are confidential, answered any time of the day or night, and language interpreters are available. You are not alone in making that call — Dakota County residents made more than 7,500 calls to the 211 helpline last year.

Regardless of who you contact, it’s important to know that reaching out to others for help is OK.

OK

CRISIS RESPONSE Some people need mental health services to navigate a crisis for themselves or a loved one. The county’s Crisis Response Unit (952-891-7171) can help. We connect people to emergency therapy, care providers and other assistance someone might need during a difficult time in their life.

We answer questions and provide treatment suggestions for mental health and substance use.

We also partner with community organizations that offer treatment and support groups.

Those who call the Crisis Response Unit will talk with a helpful social worker who gathers basic information. The social worker may meet with you in person shortly after the call to provide crisis intervention help, including finding a community mental health provider or other resource who will assist with longer-term care.

People sometimes need ongoing help after a crisis.

They may be unable to get the assistance they need on their own or more likely to cause harm to themselves or others. In those cases, we can help connect people with special services.

Children may be affected by mental health issues just as much as adults. Some of the more common emotional and mental health challenges they face are anxiety, attention deficit disorder

Information on youth, adult, veteran and elderly resources: www.dakotacounty.us search mental health

and depression. Those issues can make it more difficult for children to learn in school, socialize with other kids and manage their emotions.

We work hard to make sure all young people have access to mental health services. Every school in the county has counselors and a partnership with a community-based agency that provides mental health services in school for students.

HELPING VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY Mental health issues can affect anyone in our community. That includes active duty and military veterans, who experience those challenges at a higher rate than the general population. Combat duty, overseas deployments and other service-related experiences can impact those who served our country, as well as their spouse, children and other family.

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F E A T U R E

S T O R Y

The county’s Veterans Services Office ensures veterans get the benefits they have earned — financial, educational, health and emotional well-being.

It’s very common for veterans to come to us with mental health or substance use concerns.

Fortunately, there are many resources specifically for veterans, and we can guide them to the help they need.

We often start by checking whether they’re eligible for federal Veterans Administration (VA) health care and other benefits, and we can help them register if they qualify. That opens the door to many services for them, especially if they are living with mental or physical trauma.

We also partner with the VA’s Vets Centers, where veterans can meet with a counselor or attend therapy sessions closer to home. In some cases, veterans with more severe mental illness or chemical dependency need inpatient treatment, and we can help get them referred for that special care.

Most mental health services for veterans are voluntary, so it’s important they know we’re here to help them — and that it’s OK to ask for help.

RECOGNIZING WARNING SIGNS For some people, challenges in life may seem like too much to overcome, and they consider suicide.

On average, about 50 people in Dakota County die from suicide each year. Up to 85 percent of

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people who die from suicide are males, a majority middle-aged or older.

There are resources available for people who have suicidal thoughts — and for people who are concerned about a family member or friend.

Call the county’s Crisis Response Unit at 952-891-7171, and we can help connect you with the resources you or a loved one needs.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8255) can also help.

The county is working hard to prevent suicide in our community. We partnered with a nationleading organization to raise awareness and educate people about suicide prevention.

Our work with Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) involves training people in our community — first responders, law enforcement, civic leaders, business professionals and others — to learn about warning signs of suicide and how to reach populations that have a higher rate of suicide.

Alive & Thrive: Dakota County, a communitybased suicide prevention effort, is the first of its kind in the state. The training and information we developed will be used elsewhere in Minnesota and beyond.

Suicide prevention among veterans also is a focus.

Our staff are trained on the signs and symptoms of people who may have suicidal thoughts. We’ll work with them and their relatives to make sure they know resources are available. In severe cases, we partner with county social workers to assess the veteran’s situation and decide what needs to be done to help them. A social worker will meet with them for up to several weeks and get them connected with other mental health assistance.

COORDINATING WITH FIRST RESPONDERS First responders — law enforcement and paramedics — often are called to assist people in crisis. While first responders receive training to handle mental health-related incidents, social workers often have more specific training and connection to resources.

In order to provide the most effective public service to those who experience a crisis, the county has partnered with some of our local police departments. Dakota County mental health professionals work with law enforcement in the cities of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Hastings, Rosemount, South St. Paul and West St. Paul as well as the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office and is exploring partnerships with additional cities.

The partnerships vary by the needs of each city, but in all cases, we’re ready to help residents.

listening Dakota County mental health professionals work with law enforcement to help residents and reduce emergency calls.

Helping people who’ve experienced a crisis takes time. During an emergency, first responders can provide short-term solutions. After their crisis has passed, we contact the person within days to refer them to mental health resources and help coordinate their care, such as setting up appointments.

This coordinated response can provide lasting help to residents with mental illnesses and reduce the likelihood of future emergency calls.

STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES Our communities remain strong when everyone has access to mental health services, including

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F E A T U R E

S T O R Y

people in the criminal justice system. The Dakota County Jail offers mental health assistance to improve inmates’ lives and protect the well-being of those around them while they are in custody and upon their release.

Jail staff includes a licensed counselor who helps connect inmates with the services they need while in custody and even after they are released to the community. That can include substance use treatment, programs that help them prepare to live on their own, housing assistance and more.

The jail also offers education courses, parenting and anger management programs and other services that help inmates prepare for their future and contribute to the success of our communities.

MORE RESOURCES There are several other ways to learn about mental health and improve your well-being in the community. Dakota County Library offers mental health information during Mental Health Awareness Month in May. The library also partners with National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Minnesota to host in-person and virtual programs about school anxiety, Black mental illness and other topics. Authors also have presented on mental health. Those videos are available on the library’s YouTube channel.

We offer a “Good Books for Tough Topics” bookmark in each library’s teen area that features fiction and nonfiction books dealing with mental health, anxiety, depression and other related

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topics. This is a way to help young people learn about age-appropriate resources without having to ask questions directly to an adult.

Time spent outdoors and exercising is good for your physical health as well as your mental health. Dakota County Parks offers programs that can help you reconnect with nature — physical activities such as canoeing or skiing, low-impact activities such as birding or hiking and even programs combining art and the outdoors. You don’t have to sign up for a program to experience the benefits of being outdoors. A quiet walk along a greenway or a picnic with friends in the park can do wonders for your well-being.

There are many resources for people who want to learn about mental health. The county website provides information on youth, adult, veteran and elderly resources. You can access those by visiting www.dakotacounty.us and searching mental health.

Whether you are suffering from mental health issues or you have a friend or loved one in that difficult spot, it’s OK to ask for help.

It's OK to ask for help

Community Resources There are many ways you can receive help with mental health issues. Here are some resources:

LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCIES (24/7) Call 911

CRISIS LINES (24/7) United Way crisis line 211

Dakota County Crisis Response Unit 952-891-7171 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Call 800-273-8255 or text MN to 741741 Minnesota Warmline 651-288-0400 or text SUPPORT to 85511 MN Crisis Text Line Text MN to 741741

YOUTH AND TEENS

Dakota County Children and Family Intake 952-891-7459 National Hopeline Network 800-SUICIDE The Trevor Project for LGBTQI teens and young adults 866-488-7386

ADULT

Dakota County Adult Services Intake 651-554-6424 (8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)

Minnesota Farm & Rural Helpline Call 833-600-2670 or text FARMSTRESS to 898211

VETERANS

Minneapolis VA Health Care System 612-725-2000, www.minneapolis.va.gov St. Paul Vet Center 651-644-4022, www.vetcenter.va.gov Mental Health.gov www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/veterans Military OneSource 800-342-9647, www.militaryonesource.mil

OTHER RESOURCES

NAMI MN (National Alliance on Mental Illness) www.namimn.org Dakota County Social Services www.dakotacounty.us, search mental health Diverse cultural resources www.namimn.org, search diverse Fast-Tracker mental health and substance use resources www.fasttrackermn.org East Metro Crisis Alliance www.eastmetrocrisisalliance.com

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Stay on track — get vaxxed.

Schedule your routine vaccinations today.

Immunizations can protect you and your family. Vaccines during childhood can help prevent 14 diseases.

Immunization clinics offer free or low-cost vaccines.

Call 952-891-7999 for an appointment. www.dakotacounty.us search immunizations

Your Commissioners

Mike Slavik District 1

T: 651-438-4427

Includes the cities of Coates, Farmington, Hampton, Hastings, Miesville, New Trier, Randolph, Vermillion, Northfield Precinct 2; townships of Castle Rock, Douglas, Empire, Eureka, Greenvale, Hampton, Marshan, Nininger, Randolph, Ravenna, Sciota, Vermillion and Waterford.

Kathleen A. Gaylord

Laurie Halverson

T: 651-438-4428

Includes the cities of Lilydale, Mendota, Mendota Heights, and Eagan Precincts 1–7 and 9–12.

District 3

T: 651-438-4429

District 2

Includes the cities of South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Sunfish Lake, and Inver Grove Heights Precincts 1 and 8–10.

Liz Workman

Mary Liz Holberg

T: 651-438-4430

T: 651-438-4431

T: 651-438-4243

Includes the cities of Inver Grove Heights Precincts 2–7; Eagan Precincts 8 and 13–17; and Rosemount Precincts 1–2, 4, and 6–7.

District 6

District 5

Includes the city of Lakeville.

Includes the city of Burnsville.

LILYDALE MENDOTA MENDOTA HEIGHTS

WEST ST. PAUL

SOUTH ST. PAUL

Contact us

SUNFISH LAKE

2

3

Email: board@co.dakota.mn.us

EAGAN INVER GROVE HEIGHTS

BURNSVILLE

4

7

5

APPLE VALLEY

Kathy Keena was appointed Dakota County attorney in May 2021 by the board of commissioners.

Keena succeeds James Backstrom, who retired earlier this year. She is the first woman to serve as Dakota County attorney.

Joe Atkins District 4

Keena appointed county attorney

NININGER

ROSEMOUNT

Keena started in the county attorney’s office in 2000. She worked as an assistant county attorney in the civil and criminal divisions. In 2013, she was promoted to criminal division head, and in 2019, she was named chief deputy, where she was responsible for managing the daily operations of the office and prosecuting high-profile criminal cases, among other duties.

Under state law, when the elected county attorney position is vacant mid-term, the board appoints a county attorney until the position can be filled by voters at the end of the current term. That will be the November 2022 election.

HASTINGS

COATES

6

Mary HamannRoland District 7

MARSHAN

1

LAKEVILLE FARMINGTON

VERMILLION TWP NEW TRIER

MIESVILLE

HAMPTON EUREKA

CASTLE ROCK

T: 651-438-4411

Includes the cities of Rosemount Precincts 3 and 5, and Apple Valley.

RAVENNA

VERMILLION

EMPIRE

HAMPTON TWP

DOUGLAS

RANDOLPH RANDOLPH TWP SCIOTA

GREENVALE

WATERFORD NORTHFIELD

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Discover your library.

Dakota County Library is back to full services.

Come explore the library — get creative with iLAB, host a meeting in our conference spaces or register for an event or class.

For information about hours and locations, visit www.dakotacounty.us/library, click Hours & Locations.