News & Events

Don't you love field trips!!!!  

Tour the New Greenhouse at Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Friday October 2 • 1:00 pm 

Please RSVP using the link at the bottom of this email so we can give Dakota County Parks an idea of how many people to expect.  There is a 'maybe' option on the RSVP to let us know that you'd like to attend but you aren't yet sure of your plans, or the number of friends/family members joining you.  Friends/spouses/others are welcome. 

Dakota County’s new greenhouse allows our natural resources crews to expand restoration efforts across the county.  The 5,000-square-foot facility triples production capacity to 140,000 native plugs for prairie species, grasses and flowers, per year; including prairie violets to support threatened regal fritillary butterflies,  It enables year-round growing and education and ensures a steady supply of locally sourced seed and plant material to restore local prairies, oak savannas, and woodlands across Dakota County's parks and greenways.  In addition, it provides space for the Dakota County Master Gardeners to propagate plants for their annual fundraising plant sale

The Dakota County Native Plant Propagation Program began in 2017 as a small, grassroots effort to supply local-ecotype plant material for ecological restoration. County staff and volunteers initially grew native plants on windowsills and in temporary hoop houses, focusing on uncommon and locally adapted species that were difficult to source from commercial nurseries. The program steadily grew each year with dedicated help from volunteers at each stage of propagation—from collecting remnant seed to planting plugs. 

After the greenhouse tour, one of our members, who volunteers in the greenhouse, is offering to lead us a short walk in Lebanon Hills. We are considering a ~1 mile on pavement (clean shoes!) or a short hike on a natural path around Schultz Lake. The choice may depend on the weather.  Please indicate your interest on the RSVP.  

CLICK HERE TO INDICATE YOUR INTEREST

Don't miss out on this fun opportunity!  It's a chance to celebrate our amazing Dakota County Parks!

Directions:

The greenhouse is off of Cliff Road.  For navigation purposes use:  740 Cliff Rd, Eagan, MN 55123

Turn south off Cliff Road as if you were going to the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center but, before going downhill to the Visitor Center, take the road that goes to the left.

(The new Lebanon Hills Maintenance Facility is more visible from the road.  Aim for that.  The Greenhouse is in front of it.)