The Dakota County Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP) engages citizen volunteers to monitor wetlands in their community. 


Since 1997, WHEP volunteers have been monitoring wetlands in Dakota County. They provide important information to city and county planners, engineers, resource managers and others. The data can be used to track wetland health.


Monitoring wetland health data is a valuable service; cities, watersheds and the county rely on volunteers to collect the data each field season. Volunteers are recruited in the spring each year.


Register to volunteer for the WHEP season (and to attend training) on the Dakota County volunteer website beginning in early April 2025.


External link opens in new tab or windowWatch a video of a WHEP team evaluating a wetland.


Funding and support is provided by:

City of Apple Valley
City of Burnsville
City of Farmington
City of Hastings
City of Lakeville
City of Mendota Heights
City of Rosemount
City of South St. Paul
City of West St. Paul
Dakota County Parks
North Cannon River Watershed Management Organization
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Dakota County Environmental Resources Department
Tigris

Facilities for training provided free of charge by:
Inver Hills Community College
Dakota County Parks