County Seeks Volunteers for Wetland Monitoring

Dakota County is looking for volunteers to monitor the health of community wetlands through the Wetland Health Evaluation Program. Volunteers will work with a community-based team to monitor and collect information (such as data on plants and macroinvertebrates) that is used by cities to study health trends in order to better manage wetlands and surrounding natural resource areas. Previous monitoring experience or science background is not necessary to take part. Volunteers will receive training in field methods, macroinvertebrate collection and identification, and plant survey techniques and identification. Volunteers are grouped into teams by city, and each team will take samples from three to five wetlands between June and August. Wetland monitoring teams will be formed in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Hastings, Lakeville, Mendota Heights, Rosemount, South St. Paul and West St. Paul. Volunteers typically commit 10-20 hours of their time, which includes training, field work and lab analysis. Volunteer registration will be accepted through May 15th. To sign up or learn more, visit www.mnwhep.org or call the Dakota County Environmental Resources Department at 952-891-7000.