Empowering and Educating Residents

Volunteer Opportunities

Lakeville residents take pride in calling this city their home. Because of this attitude, Environmental Resources staff frequently receive requests regarding ways citizens can give back to their community. Staff typically work with residents to coordinate the following volunteer opportunities:
  • Trash clean-ups
  • Storm drain stenciling
  • Native species plantings (prairies, woodlands, shorelines or pollinator gardens)
  • Vegetation enhancements (weeding, buckthorn removal, mulching, etc.)
If any of these volunteer opportunities appeal to you, complete this online form and we will contact you for further details. 

Fact Sheet
Watershed Cleanup Day and Earth Day Celebration
Every year, the City coordinates a citywide trash cleanup to help keep our waters clean. This event is Lakeville’s largest volunteer opportunity, with over 1,400 residents participating in 2019! Following the clean-up, participants (and residents that did not participate in the cleanup) are invited to attend our Earth Day Celebration where participants explore environmental education stations and activities while earning earth-friendly prizes.

Fact Sheet
Citizen Assisted Monitoring Program
Each year, the City participates in the Metropolitan Council’s Citizen Assisted Monitoring Program (CAMP). CAMP’s purpose is to empower residents and staff to track local water quality trends in lakes. Volunteers and staff monitor the following lakes bi-weekly from April–October:
  • Lake Marion
  • Orchard Lake
  • Kingsley Lake
  • East Lake
  • Valley Lake
  • Lee Lake
Fact Sheet
Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP)
Wetlands are home to a variety of insect, plant and animal species. This Dakota County program offers residents an opportunity to assess wetland health within the City by tracking plant and invertebrate populations. For more information, go to mnwhep.org or complete an online form to volunteer for the program.

Educational Outreach
Environmental Resources staff enjoy taking an active role in community outreach. Some places you may see staff speak on a variety of environmental topics include:
  • Teaching at area elementary, middle and high – schools
  • Hosting a booth at the annual Lakeville Landscape and Home Consumer Showcase
  • Promoting pollinator species assisting with the Landscaping for Clean Water Program (led by Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District)
  • Offering nature-based youth programs as part of the City’s Parks and Recreation program
  • Partnering with Utilities staff to offer tours of the City’s Water Treatment Facility
Do you have an idea that we might be able to fulfill? Complete our online education outreach request form and we’ll get back to you.

Fact Sheets