Summer events at the Scott SWCD
- 27 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Summer has officially arrived and with it comes new and exciting programming at the Scott SWCD!
Teaching Gardens Open House
We're hosting a grand opening of our new teaching gardens!
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Join the Scott SWCDÂ for a free, open-house style workshop showcasing the different pollinator and native plantings installed at the Scott County Fairgrounds.Â
Where: Scott County Fairgrounds, 7151 W 190th St. Jordan, MN 55352
When: Wednesday, July 15th from 6:00 - 7:30pm
The event will provide an overview of the ground's pollinator garden, rain garden, pollinator meadow and bee lawn, including the ways these projects add aesthetic beauty, provide habitat for our local pollinators, and reduce runoff pollutants from the surrounding landscape.Â
Bring the kiddos! We'll have activities for the whole family, including a pollinator-themed scavenger hunt.Â
Who should attend:
Homeowners interested in adding natural habitat on their property
Anyone wanting to reduce lawn inputs like water and fertilizerÂ
Families wanting a free, fun, and activity-filled outdoor evening
People interested in improving local water quality through simple yard practices
What you'll learn:
Different types of natural landscaping projects AND what their benefits are
Project installation techniques
The best plants for each project and each blooming season
Common pollinators utilizing the habitat
Project maintenance techniques
Programs to help install projects on your property
The first 30 minutes of the open house will feature a formal overview of each project. Scott SWCD staff will be available during the remaining time to answer questions on an informal, individual basis.Â
Teaching Gardens at the Fair
Join the Scott SWCDÂ at the five best days of summer! We're hosting fun-filled activities at our fair booth AND teaching gardens at the Scott County Fair this year.
Where: Scott County Fairgrounds, 7151 W 190th St. Jordan, MN 55352
When: July 22nd & 23rd from 9:30 - 11:30am
Similar to the open house, our fair events will provide an overview of the ground's pollinator garden, rain garden, native prairie and bee lawn, including the ways these projects add aesthetic beauty, provide habitat for our local pollinators, and reduce runoff pollutants from the surrounding landscape.Â
Bring the kiddos! We'll have a special, fair-themed edition of our Minnesota plant scavenger hunt, complete with fun prizes and giveaways.
What's in the Teaching Gardens?
Rain Garden: A rain garden is a shallow, landscaped depression planted with native vegetation, designed to capture and absorb stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces like roofs, driveways, and lawns.
Bee Lawn: Pollinator Lawns convert traditional lawns into a pollinator haven, creating bright green lawn that lasts all year, flowering at multiple times of the year.Â
Pollinator Garden: A pollinator garden is a small garden planted with native plants, in urban and rural landscapes.
Pollinator Meadow: A pollinator meadow is a vast area of converted turf or ag land, into a stand of diverse Minnesota Native Plants.Â
Each one of these projects provides valuable habitat to our local pollinators while also aiding in water quality and providing aesthetic beauty.
Natural Landscaping Program open for 2026 Applications
Applications must be submitted by Friday, July 31, 2026Â via mail or emailed to hplonsky@scottswcd.org
Natural Landscaping projects focus on establishing Minnesota native vegetation in urban and other residential areas as an alternative to managed turf and/or non-native landscaping.
The Scott SWCD is available to help every step of the way from planning, to planting, to maintaining your project! And in addition to that service, staff are also able to provide grants to landowners that help offset the cost of installing these beautiful, beneficial projects.
Download individual project applications
For event or program questions, contact Shelby Roberts at sroberts@scottswcd.org or 952-492-5448.
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Funding for these educational events, workshops, and the Scott SWCD’s Natural Landscaping Program are made possible by the Scott Clean Water Education Program and it's partners: The Scott Watershed Management Organization (SWMO), the Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District (PLSLWD), the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD), the Scott Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Scott County, the City of Shakopee, the City of Savage, the City of Prior Lake, the City of Credit River, Spring Lake Township, Jackson Township, and Louisville Township.Â