600 gallons. That’s the amount of free water that comes from a 1000 square foot roof in every one inch rain event. Harvesting rainwater and backyard composting don’t just make healthier plants; they also help sustain communities by reducing runoff. Stormwater runoff, a by-product of every rain event, carries organic materials loaded with phosphorus into our waterways and is fueling excess plant and algae growth that is plaguing Minnesota lakes. It is estimated that the urban communities alone contribute about…

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Your Lawn and the Environment Storm Water Series at Cascade Meadow Wetlands & Environmental Science Center With proper management lawns can look great and provide numerous environmental benefits. Learn how to develop a program specific to your yard conditions that optimizes the environmental and aesthetic benefits from your lawn. Local horticulturalist Doug Courneya will discuss how to determine what level of lawn maintenance is appropriate based on your specific lawn types and desires. Learn to fine tune your mowing, watering,…

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What: 12th Annual Arbor Day Celebration – sponsored by Rochester Public Utilities, Maier Tree & Lawn, and Rochester Park & Recreation. When: Friday, April 25th from 11 am-1 pm Where: Three Links-Silver Lake Park, located at 840 7th St NE in Rochester. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be moved to RCTC’s Field House located at 851 30th Ave SE in Rochester. Festivities: Free trees to give away, live music, free lunch (hot dogs, corn on the cob, chips, cookie, and soda), tree experts…

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On Thursday, April 24 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM 1421 3rd Avenue SE Rochester, MN 55904   Olmsted County will be holding an Open House of the Emergency Operation Center for the general public. Come see: Command Center for Emergency Operations Weather Equipment for Storm Tracking Meet Emergency Operation Center staff For more information view the flyer here.  

2014 is a year of planning for DMC (and Rochester as a whole) and urban planners, architects, engineers and analysts will be drafting the 20-year DMC Development Plan. This plan will truly reflect what the community wants the Rochester experience to be for patients, visitors and residents. The plan will be grounded on input from all corners of the community, and there will be many ways to share your ideas and views. Here is a quick update of what has…

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Residential Neighborhoods: Public works staff will respond to complaints in residential neighborhoods. We will not be regularly monitoring sidewalk conditions in residential neighborhoods. However, when we do respond to a complaint we will inspect all sidewalks on both sides of the street within the same block of the complaint address. Citations will be issued if any sidewalk within that block has not been cleared of snow and ice. The City’s contractor will be dispatched to clear the snow and ice….

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Nominations are now being accepted by the Rochester-Olmsted Youth Commission for our 19th annual Outstanding Youth Awards. Please consider nominating a young person between the ages of 13 – 20 who has gone above and beyond expectations to make a difference in our community through personal growth, initiative, community impact, and/or leading by example. We also take into consideration information regarding obstacles or challenges the nominee may have overcome in order to be successful. Nominations are due March 21st, and winners will…

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