Dakota County offers homeowner assistance; Native plant, shoreline and raingarden help, and funds, available

Blue Thumb workshops help homeowners install watershed-wise and eye-catching landscaping.

Photo courtesy of Blue Thumb

Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District is offering Blue Thumb© workshops, beginning later this month, that will make it easy for Dakota County homeowners to create their own raingarden, native plant garden or native shoreline. Participants will learn how other residents reduced their yard's environmental impact while creating beautiful landscaping, and will also be eligible for grants and technical assistance for layout, preparation and installation of their own new gardens.

Call Dakota County SWCD at 651-480-7777 or visit dakotacountyswcd.org.