 March 2026
 Join our team this summer! We are hiring 4 seasonal positions.
1 seasonal water education position to plan outreach events, teach day camps, and create educational materials. This position closes March 10.
3 seasonal water resources assistants to help with data collection and projects for lakes, streams, and aquatic invasive species. This position closes March 11.
1 seasonal environmental services assistant to help at the Environmental Center and with education events.
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Join us for a two-part workshop on native plant design. Whether you're just starting or already transforming your whole yard, this workshop provides tools and resources needed to build a flourishing native garden. |
Workshop 1: Intro to native plant design
April 8, 2026
6:00pm to 7:30pm
Chanhassen Recreation Center at 2310 Coulter Boulevard Chanhassen, MN 55317
In this workshop, learn how to design a native plant garden and why design is key to success and longevity.
Workshop topics
- Examples of different styles of native gardens
- Considerations for how best to use your space
- Benefits and challenges of plugs verses seeds
- Selection of plants based on height, spacing, soil, layering, and bloom time
- Challenges that could arise during the planning process
- Expectations for your garden as it starts growing.
Attendees will be provided a project design packet during this workshop to be completed before part 2.
Workshop 2: Coaching session
April 22, 2026.
Three 1- hour sessions offered. Sign up for your preferred time slot during registration.
- 4:15pm to 5:15pm
- 5:30pm to 6:30pm
- 6:45pm to 7:45pm
At the second workshop, you'll meet with a landscape specialist in small groups to discuss garden layout, plant selection, and troubleshooting on your design.
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Where does it go?
Vapes and e-cigarettes are increasingly common in the waste stream, but they require careful handling. These devices contain a complicated mix of lithium-ion batteries, nicotine, and electronic components, each of which creates safety and environmental risks if disposed of improperly.
Most disposable and rechargeable vapes contain lithium-ion batteries. When crushed in garbage trucks or processing equipment, these batteries can ignite. Battery-related fires are one of the fastest-growing causes of damage at solid waste and recycling facilities. Vape cartridges may also contain nicotine, which is toxic, along with circuit boards and metals that do not belong in the trash or recycling.
Vapes should never be placed in curbside trash or recycling carts. They are not recyclable through standard curbside programs. Keep devices intact and store them in a cool, dry place until they can be properly disposed of.
When purchasing vape products, choose devices where the battery can be easily separated from the cartridge. Removable batteries can be managed through proper battery recycling programs, and the remaining components can be handled through electronics recycling. In contrast, all-in-one or single-use devices create significant end-of-life challenges because the battery is permanently enclosed, making them more difficult and hazardous to manage.
Carver County residents can bring used vapes to the Environmental Center, where they are accepted free of charge.
Spring cleanup is coming, and that means leaves, sticks, and garden debris. If you have been thinking about how to get your yard ready for the season, remember that yard waste does not belong in the trash. In Minnesota, it is illegal to dispose of yard waste with household garbage. This type of material can be composted and turned into a valuable resource instead of taking up space in a landfill.
- Burning yard waste is discouraged. Open burning releases smoke and pollutants into the air, impacting air quality and neighborhood health.
- Leave some debris in place. Many native pollinators overwinter in leaf litter and hollow stems. Waiting to remove or cutting back plant material allows bees and other beneficial insects time to hatch and emerge in the spring.
- Whenever possible, manage yard waste at home. Leaving grass clippings on your lawn, mulching leaves, or composting returns nutrients to the soil and reduces the need for fertilizer.
- If you need to haul material away, most yard waste drop-off sites in Carver County are managed at the city level. There are also a few privately operated drop-off locations available to residents.
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 Carver County's Soil & Water Conservation District's spring sale is open.
Residents can purchase the following while supplies last.
- Trees, bare root stock in bundles of 25
- Native seed mixes for pollinators, mesic prairie, and savannah
- Live plant kits for prairie, backyard gardens, shade gardens, and more
Carver County residents can receive $20 off a rain barrel while supplies last.
Order at Recycling Association of Minnesota. Select Carver County as your pickup location use code "carver20" to receive your discount. Discount valid for Carver County residents only. One discount available per household, while supplies last.
Rain barrels can be picked up at the Environmental Center 116 Peavey Circle, Chaska, MN 55318 during regular business hours starting April 15, 2026.
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Carver County Environmental Services has scheduled its 2026 Special Waste Collection events, providing convenient disposal options for residents especially those living in the western portion of the county who may not be able to travel to the Carver County Environmental Center for drop-off.
These events are designed to bring safe, responsible disposal closer to where people live, making it easier to properly manage household hazardous waste and other hard-to-handle items. Materials such as paint, chemicals, batteries, electronics, appliances, and automotive products can be dropped off for proper recycling or disposal, helping protect both public health and the environment.
The first event of the year is a Household Hazardous Waste Collection on Saturday, April 25, from 8 a.m. to noon in Watertown. Two Special Waste Collection events will follow on May 16 in Cologne and September 12 in Hollywood Township, both running from 8 a.m. to noon. By hosting events in multiple locations, the county aims to improve access for residents who may face distance, time, or transportation barriers.
Many common household hazardous wastes are accepted at no charge, while certain items—such as appliances, televisions, tires, and small engines—require a fee. Proof of Carver County residency is required, and payments must be made by cash or check. Businesses are generally prohibited from participating, with limited exceptions for specific materials and small businesses.
If you’re unable to attend an event, many hazardous materials are accepted year-round at the Carver County Environmental Center. Residents are encouraged to review accepted materials and fees in advance and plan ahead, as events may be shut down during inclement weather.
For full details, including accepted items, fees, and preparation tips, visit the Special Waste Collection page on the county website or contact Environmental Services at 952-361-1800.
Fix-it Clinic
Saturday March 7
12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at A Better Society in Chanhassen
Fix-It Clinics | Carver County, MN (carvercountymn.gov)
Native plant design workshop
Wednesday April 8 (part 1)
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday April 22 (part 2)
1-hour times slots available between 4pm and 8pm.
Chanhassen Recreation Center 2310 Coulter Blvd. in Chanhassen
Carver County native plant design workshop
Project WET (Water Education Today)
Saturday April 18
8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Project WET training event page
Upcoming advisory committee meetings
Carver County Water Management Organization's citizen advisory committee works with staff to make recommendations to the County Board on water management. Meetings are held in-person at the Carver County Government Center in Chaska with a virtual option.
Upcoming meetings
- March 31, 2026
- April 28, 2026
Contact mseveland@carvercountymn.gov or 952-361-1026 for more information or to participate.
www.carvercountymn.gov
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