Volunteer To Explore Dakota County Wetlands

Lakeville MN

10 May, 2022

10:50 PM

Description

Press release from the Dakota County Government: May 10, 2022 Dakota County is seeking volunteers eager to pull on a pair of waders and help monitor the health of community wetlands this summer. Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP) volunteers will work with a community team to monitor and collect information on plants and macroinvertebrates such as beetles, bugs, snails. The data is used to study trends to better manage wetlands and surrounding natural resource areas. Previous experience or a background in science is not necessary to take part. Volunteers typically commit 10–20 hours of their time, which includes training, field work and lab analysis. Dakota County provides all training, equipment and leadership. Volunteer registration will be accepted through May 15. WHEP volunteers receive training in field methods, macroinvertebrate collection and identification, and plant survey techniques and identification. Each volunteer team will take samples from 3–5 wetlands between June and August. Wetland monitoring teams will be formed in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Dakota County Parks, Eagan, Farmington, Hastings, Lakeville, Mendota Heights, North Cannon River Watershed Management Organization, Rosemount, South St. Paul and West St. Paul. To register, visit the Wetland Health Evaluation Program page. This press release was produced by the Dakota County Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.