Call To Action

61% Natural Resource Base Program Budget Cut Proposed

Thank you to those who have already given your input – it is vital that the public be heard during the process of setting budget priorities, not after the decisions are already made. Of concern is that Dakota County have established, stable, ongoing natural resource maintenance funding.

We will continue to monitor and provide information on the 2025 budget and 5 year budget planning process. The next steps in the process are expected in late September and October.

Dakota County’s Draft 2025 Budget:
61% or $700,000 Natural Resources Base Program Budget Reduction

Dakota County made significant natural resources investments since 2015 in response to overwhelming public pressure to do so after decades of underfunding. This proposed budget cut will set its Natural Resource Base Program budget back 10 years.

Without adequate funding, ongoing management of restored acres and habitats will stall and new projects postponed indefinitely.

  • Acres of parklands and greenspaces recently managed will revert to buckthorn forests
  • Ecosystems undergoing restoration will revert to degraded landscapes
  • Natural resource projects’ future progress and current backlog will struggle to be implemented
  • Quality natural resource staff may be lost

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

Contact Dakota County Commissioners Today!
Public input to the County Board is vital through Friday, September 14

Suggested statement, or edit using your own words

“I do not support the proposed budget cuts to the Natural Resources Base Program for 2025 and beyond. I support an ongoing commitment to restoration and preservation of high-quality natural resources throughout Lebanon Hills and all Dakota County Forever Wild Parks. I urge the Dakota County Board of Commissioners to reverse the proposed cuts to our Natural Resource Base Program, which would be a huge step backward.”

Turf to Pollinator Garden Project

Pollinator Pathways

In 2023 – 2024 we worked with our partners Metro Blooms to plant pollinator gardens in six Regional Parks around the Metro. The gardens replaced turf grass lawns, which offers little food for pollinators.

Each garden is unique, demonstrating how native plants can thrive in various site conditions. The native plantings benefit not just pollinators but also birds and other wildlife — and they enhance soil and water quality in the parks.

Please visit a garden in a park near you: Battle Creek, Lebanon Hills, Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, Minnehaha Falls, Bunker Hills, and Keller Lakes Regional Parks.

Hundreds of amazing volunteers invested their time in helping us plant. They include students, corporate groups, families, friends, and individuals. Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who helped us raise funds to install bike racks at Lebanon Hills Regional Park’s Holland Lake and Dodd Road Trailheads. Please use them on your next bike ride to hike in the park!

In The News!

We’re proud to announce that Wilderness in the City has been featured in the roundup: “6 Cities Lighting Up the HNP Biodiversity Map“! Check out the article to learn about the amazing native planting projects happening nationwide and don’t miss the section featuring the newly planted plot at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary – part of our Turf to Pollinator Garden Project!

Volunteer at Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Volunteer Trail Patrol Team

Enjoy the outdoors while assisting park visitors with questions, directions, and providing an extra support measure in case of emergencies. Teams include Ski, Mountain Bike, Greenway & Park Trail, Dog Park, or Equestrian. Volunteer while personally enjoying the trails yourself, so easy and fun!

Learn more and register.

Landscape Stewards

Help to maintain areas that have been planted with native grasses and wildflowers in highly visible areas. Opportunities in LHRP include the new Holland Lake Pollinator Garden, the Visitor Center Backyard and Boathouse, and Holland Lake Bay.

Holland Lake Pollinator Garden
Lead Landscape Steward
Landscape Steward Volunteer

Adopt-A-Park

By becoming an Adopt-a-Park volunteer, you will be notified first by email when new projects come up that focus on your selected park. Opportunities can include picking up trash, maintaining trails, improving park features, reducing invasive species, and various nature studies and surveys.

Sign Up to Adopt-A-Park

Student Internship

Build Leadership | Gain Work Experience | Earn Service Hours

Wilderness in the City is looking for students to serve as Youth Representatives on our Board of Directors.

Fill out the application and email it to maryannp@wildernessinthecity.org.

We are Wilderness in the City – dedicated to preserving and enhancing urban natural areas for future generations.

Newsletter

Joining our email list is the best way to stay informed and learn about volunteer opportunities, events and any pending decisions on issues that may impact the future of Lebanon Hills.

Contact Us

Contact us to learn more about any issues we are working on, or if you’d like to get involved.