Dakota County is a place where southern prairie, northern hardwood forests, lakes, bluffs and wetlands meet in a uniquely ecologically diverse area of the Twin Cities. Bordered by the Mississippi, Minnesota and Cannon rivers, Dakota County is also traversed by the Vermillion River, a world-class trout stream.
Most of Dakota County’s land has been converted to residential development and farming, but there are still high-quality natural areas that, although protected, need to be actively managed.
To protect these valuable natural resources and areas, Dakota County developed the Natural Resource Management System Plan that guides natural resources management of its parks, conservation easements and greenways. It will be updated every five years.
The plan includes a long-term vision (for the next 20 years) as well as outline more specific implementation steps over the next 5 years. This first tier of projects includes components related to park vegetation, park water, park wildlife, greenways and conservation easements.
Natural Resources Management System Plan Report