Farmington student volunteers planting trees for Arbor Day.
Dakota Electric Association donated more than 5,700 tree seedlings this spring, as it wraps up a full schedule of assisting with community plantings and environmental events throughout its service territory. Since 1997, Dakota Electric has provided more than 164,900 tree seedlings in the local area.
Each year, Dakota Electric participates in a variety of Arbor and Earth Day events by donating large trees to these events. Again this year, Dakota Electric sponsored Tree Trust at Cherry View Elementary in Lakeville on May 10. The Tree Trust program provides schools with a coordinator that guides the school’s Green Team through the planning of a school landscape plan, school-wide tree planting day and maintenance of the planted trees. Tree Trust helps the school create a landscape plan that fits each school’s unique needs and provides educational opportunities.
Volunteers help plant native plants and spread a seed mix in a restored oak savanna at Lebanon Hills Regional Park.
Part of Dakota Electric’s active spring schedule included coordinating volunteers to help at a Dakota County park. This year, more than 100 volunteers worked at Lebanon Hills Regional Park, planting 3,000 native plants and spreading 21 pounds of seed mix.
“As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, we are happy to assist our local communities and schools with their celebrations,” said President and CEO Greg Miller. “By providing trees and seedlings, and even volunteers at some events, Dakota Electric can give back to our communities in a lasting way.”
