Get involved
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
What can I do to help wetlands?
- Join a team
- Attend training
- Visit your assigned wetlands to conduct sampling according to schedule set by team leader
- Collect and submit data with the help of your team members and team leader
Learn more by watching this video of a WHEP team.
The average team:
- Usually consists of 6-12 adult volunteers, each volunteer dedicates 10-30 hours in June and July. Minors may volunteer when accompanied by their parent or guardian.
- As a group, collects macroinvertebrate samples (to identify later) and identifies plants. The team leader provides direction and schedules the sampling events.
- Samples during evening hours on select weekdays and during the day on select weekends.
- Monitors two to four wetlands on your community team and one wetland in a neighboring community as a cross check for quality control.
Teams:
- Apple Valley
- Burnsville
- Dakota County Parks Team 1
- Dakota County Parks Team 2
- Eagan
- Farmington
- Hastings
- Lakeville
- Mendota Heights
- North Cannon River Watershed Management Organization
- Rosemount
- South St. Paul
- West St. Paul
Register to volunteer:
Register to volunteer for the WHEP season (and to attend training) on the Dakota County volunteer website or to straight to the WHEP volunteer page beginning in April through mid-May.
Questions:
Program - Paula Liepold, 952-891-7117
Volunteer Registration - Garrett Zaffke, 651-438-4635