THE LATEST
 Spring Tree Sale begins March 14
The Mendota Heights Resident Tree Sale begins March 14 at 8 a.m. Purchase a quality shade tree for your landscape at a discounted rate of $60/tree. Trees come in a 10-gallon potted container, have a trunk width of approximately 1” in diameter, and range in height from approximately 4-10 feet.
Ordering:
On-line ordering begins Monday, March 14, on-line: treetrust.org/get-a-tree/mendotaheights/. Note that a Shopify account is required to participate in the tree sale; an account can be set up in advance through the link on Tree Trust's webpage.
Tree Pick-up:
Saturday, May 14 at the Mendota Heights Public Works Facility
Availability:
Ordering is limited to two trees per resident. Number of trees and tree species are limited, and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Planting trees help beautify Mendota Heights, replace canopy cover lost due to Emerald Ash Borer, improve air and water quality, and provide food and habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.
Steve Goldade accepts a recognition plaque from Mayor Levine at the March 1, 2022, City Council Meeting.
In recognition of service
At the March 1 City Council meeting, Steve Goldade was presented with a plaque to recognize his five years of service on the Parks and Recreation Commission. Mr. Goldade began his membership on the Parks and Recreation Commission in 2017, and served as chair for the last two years. The City is grateful for his service and contributions in supporting parks and recreation in Mendota Heights; his knowledge and experience will be greatly missed.
 Apply now for these positions:
Police Officer
The City of Mendota Heights is accepting applications for a full-time Police Officer. Mendota Heights is a community supportive of law enforcement. We invite compassionate candidates who are committed to community policing and skilled in building relationships to apply for this position. Interested applicants must submit a resume, a city employment application and the application supplement by 11:30 a.m. on March 18, 2022.
Recreation Program Coordinator
This position is responsible for the overall planning, development, coordination, implementation and management of youth and adult park and recreation programs, activities and special events. Interested applicants must submit a resume, a city employment application, and application supplement by 4:30 pm. on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. Learn more and link to application materials.
Summer Seasonal Public Works
The City is accepting applications for seasonal Public Works Maintenance. Positions are open until filled; first consideration will be given to applications received by 11:30 am on April 1, 2022. Learn more and link to application materials.
Summer Seasonal Recreation
The City is accepting applications for these fun part-time positions:
You must be 18 years of age or older to be an instructor, and 16 years of age or older to be an assistant or clubhouse worker. Click on links above for more information and application materials, or visit job postings at mendotaheightsmn.gov/employment.
BUSINESS NEWS
 Free virtual event for small businesses
In partnership with the University of Minnesota Law School, the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers is offering a free virtual event for small businesses seeking assistance with legal questions. Space is limited; learn more and register.
Upcoming events
Tuesdays, Mar. 15–Apr. 19
Dakota County Northern Service Center, West St. Paul
March 19, Noon–3 p.m.
South St. Paul Community Center, 100 7th Ave N, South St Paul
April 16, Noon–3 p.m.
Inver Glen Library, 8098 Blaine Ave., Inver Grove Heights
April 23, 9am-Noon
WSP Sports Complex, 1650 Oakdale Ave, WSP
(Please note this date was incorrectly shown as April 30 in the City's March/April Heights Highlights printed newsletter - the correct date is April 23.)
Quick Links:
  Have you seen #MaskTrash?
Above: A selection of images tagged #MaskTrash on Instagram. With the necessary use of masks during the pandemic, a sad side effect has been discarded masks littering the ground and making their way into the water. There are plenty of documented cases of wildlife being tangled in masks, and the commonly used surgical masks are made of polypropylene, which constitutes one of the most abundant microplastics in some water bodies.
Spring is a great time for residents to pitch in and clean up a shoreline of trash like masks!
ANYONE can mobilize a group and plan a cleanup event! Participating in Freshwater's Adopt a River program will support you with the planning tools you need.
When and where should you plan a cleanup? Who should you invite, and how can you get started? Freshwater has all the answers for you at freshwater.org/adopt-a-river.
What if I want to clean up, but not a shoreline? That's great, too! Our streets are an extension of our shorelines. Most storm drains flow directly into lakes and rivers. That means everything we do on land affects our water. Check out Freshwater's community cleanup page for info on other cleanups.
 Join us in spring cleaning our parks
Sat, April 23 | Supply pickup 9am-Noon
Spend the day at a local Mendota Heights park assisting with waste removal. Garbage, recycling, and organics bags will be available for pick up at City Hall from 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, April 23. Collected materials can be left in or near garbage receptacles at each City park. Volunteers should wear appropriate attire, including protective gloves, closed-toe shoes, and dress for the weather. Safety vests are also available for loan if desired.
Stop by City Hall for free giveaways and learn simple ways you can protect our surface waters
Sat, April 23 | 9am-Noon
- Enter the drawing to WIN a free 10-gallon container tree or a gift certificate to Prairie Moon Nursery.
- Pick up your free pollinator seed packet, and plant a pocket prairie for pollinators!
Attend the virtual ‘Resilient Yards’ workshop
Thurs, April 28 | Noon-2pm
Home gardeners, take climate action in your yard! The City of Mendota Heights is sponsoring a Blue Thumb workshop offering ways you can make your landscape more resilient to excessive heat, drought, flooding rains and other weather-related challenges that we are experiencing more frequently.
This workshop is great for do-it-yourselfers. It offers an overview of resiliency and information on redirecting runoff, assessing your site, designing with native plants, using trees and shrubs, turf alternatives, protecting pollinators and more. There are two parts to this workshop. After registering, you’ll receive an online presentation with a series of videos to watch at your convenience. The presentation will include prompts to help you get started on plans to incorporate some of these tactics in your yard. At the workshop, offered virtually, you’ll meet in small breakout groups for assistance from landscape designers and other experts such as Master Gardeners. Bring your ideas and your questions!
The virtual workshop will be held from Noon to 2 p.m. on April 28. The cost is $15. For more information and to register, check the Blue Thumb website at bluethumb.org/events/, or call Metro Blooms at 651-699-2426.
Blue Thumb is coordinated by Metro Blooms, a nonprofit that partners with communities to create resilient landscapes and foster clean watersheds, embracing the values of equity and inclusion to solve environmental challenges.
Compost bin and rain barrel sale underway
Dakota County residents can help their yard and save money through the annual Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM) compost bin and rain barrel sale that started March 1.
Residents get 30 percent off when they order online, while supplies last, at recycleminnesota.org, using the promo code Dakota. Pre-ordered bins and barrels can be picked up at the Mendota Heights Public Works Facility on Saturday, May 14, from 9 a.m. to noon, or from the City of Lakeville Central Maintenance Facility, or any of the other distribution events in the metro area. Rain barrels are sold-out for pickup at Mendota Heights, but can be ordered to be picked up at another location as available.
By composting at home, residents can easily convert organic materials — grasses, leaves, garden debris and food scraps — into a nutrient-rich mixture that will reduce the need for yard fertilizers and pesticides. Rain barrels reduce stormwater runoff and store water that can be used later for lawns and gardens.
The Recycling Association of Minnesota partners with cities and counties throughout Minnesota to bring residents affordable rain barrels and compost bins at reduced costs.
Landscaping for Clean Water Classes
Create an addition to your home landscaping that is not only attractive, but will benefit our lakes, streams and wetlands! Landscaping for Clean Water classes will help you beautify your landscape and provide cleaner water.
Three LIVE virtual Landscaping for Clean Water introduction classes are being hosted in partnership with the watershed organizations here in Dakota County. The classes provide an overview of local water quality challenges and provide beautiful and practical ways of reducing runoff pollutants that are causing issues. The Landscaping for Clean Water program makes it easy to realize the positive impacts raingardens, native gardens, and shoreline stabilizations can have on your aesthetic and environmental surroundings.
Want to participate, but can’t make the live event? The introduction class will also be offered as a pre-recorded option, so you won’t miss a beat in learning how you can plant for clean water this year. After attending an introductory class, sign up for the $25 raingarden design workshop where you will receive design assistance to create a functioning raingarden specific to your own yard.
Participation in the introductory classes is free, but registration is required. Visit dakotaswcd.org/services/landscaping-for-clean-water or call 651-480-7777 for more details.
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Recent highlights
 Get started planning your summer of fun!
Registration is open for summer recreation programs and programs are filling quickly. There are tons of activities for all ages to enjoy! Visit the Summer Fun webpage for details.
Adult Softball League registration is open
Registration is now open for the Mendota Heights Adult Softball League. All leagues play "D Level" softball. If you are interested in registering a team, contact Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence, mlawrence@mendotaheightsmn.gov.
Register now for Spring Break activities
Ice Skating & Bowling Field Trip
Mon, March 28 (Non-school day)
Time: 8am-4:30pm
Ages: 6-12
Cost: $34 per participant (resident)
Location: Drop Off/Pick Up at Doug Woog Arena, SSP
Ice skate inside the arena in the morning and bowl the afternoon away at Concord Lanes; rental skates included. Registration required.
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SeaQuest & Sports in the Dome
Tues, March 29 (Non-school day)
Time: 8am-3:30pm
Ages: 6-12
Cost: $36 per participant (resident)
Location: Drop Off/Pick Up at WSP Regional Athletics Center Dome
Touch, see, and interact with animals from five different continents, then enjoy afternoon group games and free time. Registration required.
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For information on COVID-19 and to connect to resources for vaccinations, boosters, testing, and more, visit mendotaheightsmn.gov/covid19.
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