environmental – Dakota Electric Association®

Dakota Electric Association® donates trees to member cities

Jake Omodt — Thu, 22 May 2025 16:34:13 +0000

Since 1997, Dakota Electric has donated nearly 200 trees to member cities

(FARMINGTON, MN) May 22, 2025 –Dakota Electric Association® is proud to support local communities by donating trees to seven member cities. Between April 19 and May 9, each city selected and planted a tree of its choice. In addition, the cooperative distributed 3,000 tree planting kits throughout its service area this year. Since 1997, Dakota Electric has contributed nearly 200 trees to member cities and over 180,000 tree seedlings to the community, honoring Earth Day and Arbor Day.

By donating trees and seedlings, Dakota Electric aims to go beyond merely providing electricity to its members. This initiative reflects a strong commitment to environmentally responsible practices and assists communities in building sustainable, eco-friendly futures. “Since the program’s inception in 1997, we’ve significantly impacted the communities we serve,” said Lori Peine, Community Affairs Coordinator for Dakota Electric. “It’s a unique gift to be able to deliver and help plant fully-grown trees in our member cities. I’m excited that we can provide this special gift to them.”

About Dakota Electric Association:
Dakota Electric Association is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving over 117,000 members in and around Dakota County. Established in 1937, Dakota Electric is committed to providing its members with reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity while actively engaging with the community and promoting energy efficiency. For more information, visit www.dakotaelectric.com or follow Dakota Electric on X, Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.

Dakota Electric rallies park volunteers for the 16th year of helping in local parks

allie.shetlerDEA — Mon, 22 May 2017 14:32:30 +0000

This post contains outdated information and is kept for archived purposes only.

Volunteers planted 1,500 plants at Whitetail Woods Regional Park on May 6 as part of the Minnesota Touchstone Energy Cooperatives’ GreenTouch Day.

Approximately 60 Dakota Electric Association members volunteered their time on May 6 at Whitetail Woods Regional Park in Empire Township as part of the annual, statewide, Touchstone Energy GreenTouch day.

The volunteers of all ages planted 1,500 native plants in the 456-acre park, which opened September 2014. The native species planted this year, and more than 1,000 trees planted other years will eventually provide a natural habitat for animals and nature lovers to enjoy.

“Dakota Electric’s volunteers provided a great service to the park,” natural resource specialist Meghan Manhatton said. “The work they did will live on for decades enhancing the natural beauty of the park for others to enjoy.”

Volunteers planted 1,500 plants at Whitetail Woods Regional Park on May 6 as part of the Minnesota Touchstone Energy Cooperatives’ GreenTouch Day.

Dakota Electric’s effort to organize volunteers at the park is part of a larger statewide program started by electric cooperatives in 2000. Since its inception, the GreenTouch event has attracted 9,350 volunteers statewide who have completed more than 33,437 volunteer hours benefitting Minnesota parks.

This was the sixth year Dakota Electric rallied volunteers to work in a Dakota County park, and the 16th year overall that Dakota Electric has been organizing its members to volunteer at local parks.

Volunteers planted 1,500 plants at Whitetail Woods Regional Park on May 6 as part of the Minnesota Touchstone Energy Cooperatives’ GreenTouch Day.

“We had beautiful weather and an enthusiastic group of volunteers,” said Joe Miller, event organizer for Dakota Electric. “This was a great project that people from young to old could enjoy doing together.”

“We really appreciate all those who helped,” Miller said. “It is nice to see so many people giving their time to give back to their local community.”

To view photos of the event, visit www.facebook.com/dakotaelectric. Funding for this project was provided from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature.

Those interested in helping in 2018 can watch for an insert in their bills next March or April. The event is usually held the first Saturday in May.

Tree Trust helps North Trail Elementary build outdoor classroom

allie.shetlerDEA — Fri, 19 May 2017 19:34:04 +0000

This post contains outdated information and is kept for archived purposes only.

Nearly 600 students, teachers, parents and community members turned out at North Trail Elementary in Farmington on May 5 to plant trees and ornamental plants as well as build an outdoor classroom.

The weather was perfect as all classes came outside and learned about tree care and planting. Every student had a chance to participate in the planting of the school’s environmental area.

“Tree Trust has done a wonderful job with this event and throughout the year,” said Katie Belmont, North Trail Elementary science teacher and Green Team coordinator. “They have provided a real hands-on learning opportunity for our students. We thank Dakota Electric for making this possible.”

Dakota Electric has sponsored the program at 14 area schools over the years.

“Tree Trust has been an excellent organization to partner with,” said Brenda Kadlec, Dakota Electric’s environmental coordinator. “They handle everything from start to finish, and provide a great educational opportunity for the students.”

Tree Trust helps schools form “Green Teams” made up of teachers, staff, students and parents to set goals, develop a landscape plan and plan for the spring planting day. The organization builds environmental learning into the entire process and in the end schools have an outdoor green space to be enjoyed by all.