Dakota County, MN

Green Squad volunteers help our county events recycle more and create less waste. Green Squad volunteers are composed of Dakota County Recycling Ambassadors who are trained to be good stewards of our resources and to help others make smart decisions when it comes to recycling and waste management.

ATTENTION: Volunteers must first complete Dakota County's Recycling Ambassador program & training to participate in Green Squad events.

​Protecting Dakota County’s valuable surface water and groundwater resources is an important responsibility for everyone who lives and works here. Dakota County helps protect water quality every step of the way.

LeDuc Historic Estate was built between 1862 and 1866 by William Gates LeDuc and his wife Mary LeDuc near the Vermillion River in Hastings, Minnesota. The LeDucs were prominent early settlers of Minnesota and played significant roles in the state's growth from a territory to a state. Take a step back in time and hear stories about the LeDuc family and the history of the 1800s.

1629 Vermillion Street
Hastings, MN 55033
651-438-8480
Get Directions

The Estate is open to the public Thursday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from May 15 through October 25 and on special occasion the rest of the year.

Take in the stunning views of the Mississippi River by starlight and candlelight at the Trails by Candlelight event at Spring Lake Park Reserve in Hastings. A variety of cross-county ski, snowshoe, hiking, and walking trails with varying distances will be lit with hundreds of candles. When you need a break, stop by one of our roaring bonfires to warm up and roast a marshmallow. Enjoy some wintertime fun for the whole family.

Volunteers are needed to help support multiple activities before, during, and after the event to make this event a success. All volunteers will receive free access to the event and volunteers who help during the event will receive a dinner voucher to use at one of our participating food trucks. To ensure a high quality experience, pre-registration is required to volunteer. Space is limited and spots fill quickly. Check out the roster below to see what opportunities are available.

Take a walk around the lake and through the woods by flickering candlelight at the Trails by Candlelight event at Thompson County Park in West St. Paul. A variety of snowshoe, hiking and walking trails with varying distances will be lit with hundreds of candles. When you need a break, stop by one of our crackling bonfires to warm up and roast a marshmallow. Fun for the whole family.

Volunteers of all ages are needed to help support multiple activities before, during, and after to help make this event a success. All volunteers will receive free access to the event and volunteers who help during the event will receive a dinner voucher to use at one of our participating food trucks. To ensure a high quality experience, pre-registration is required to volunteer. Space is limited and spots fill quickly. Check out the roster below to see what opportunities are available.

Enjoy the outdoors while assisting park visitors with questions, directions, and providing an extra support measure in case of emergencies. Our patrol units offer a vital service to our county parks by providing trained individual assistance to our park users, helping to keep everyone happy and safe on our park and regional trails. Volunteer while personally enjoying the trails yourself, so easy and fun!