Financial Incentives for Environmental Initiatives

Lakeville residents are encouraged to participate in environmental initiatives through the various grant opportunities listed below. These incentives will support projects that enhance our community's environmental sustainability and promote responsible stewardship of our natural resources on your own property. Here are incentive programs available to Lakeville residents.

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Landscaping for Clean Water

Landscaping for Clean Water (LCW)
Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and City of Lakeville

The goal of the LCW program is to teach residents how to beautify their yard while also protecting local water quality and providing habitat for pollinators. The program includes free educational introductory classes, low-cost garden design courses, natural shoreline and garden maintenance workshops, and incentives for homeowners that install a raingarden, native garden or native shoreline planting.    

An incentive grant of $250 is available to chosen projects from the SWCD.   

New in 2024: A rebate of up to $250 is also available to Lakeville residents who complete the requirements of the LCW program (first 10 residents that apply). For more information, see the rebate program information below or contact Lakeville's Environmental Resources Division at 952-985-4528 or by email.

City of Lakeville Clean Water Rebate Program

Transform your yard with a Landscaping for Clean Water (LCW) program garden and get rewarded with a $250 rebate!

Rebate Program Details

  • This rebate is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
  • The rebate amount is up to $250. Once approved, your rebate will be applied to your City of Lakeville Water Utility Bill.
  • Limit one rebate per address.

Who's Eligible?

City of Lakeville residents who complete a Landscaping for Clean Water program workshop (in current year) AND install a qualifying project (raingarden, native garden, or shoreline restoration) are eligible.

How to Apply

  1. Participate in a Landscaping for Clean Water program.
  2. Complete your qualifying landscaping project.
  3. Submit this rebate application form below along with proof of program completion: factsheet from Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and forms required for LCW grant.

Other Requirements

  1. The owner will not be reimbursed for owner’s personal labor and time, or for project expenses that have been paid by a LCW grant. Total reimbursement will not be over cost of the project.
  2. Work shall not occur within any public right-of-way or easement.
  3. Raingardens shall not be installed closer than 15 feet from a basement foundation or other underground structures, or no closer than 5 feet from slab on grade foundations.
    - Projects shall be free of liners which prevent infiltration into underlying soils.
  4. The project shall be kept free of non-native invasive plant species and noxious weeds.
  5. Pesticides shall not be applied to any part of the completed project area (to protect pollinators and other beneficial insects).

Clean Water Rebate Application

  14. Type of garden installed (check one)*
  16. Upload proof of LCW program completion:
    20. Leave This Blank:

  22. This field is not part of the form submission.

Citizen Conservation Stewardship Program

Citizen Conservation Stewardship Program
Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District

This program supports smaller conservation practices on individual properties by providing technical and cost share assistance. 

Up to $5,000 of cost-share funding may be available to Dakota County property owners for qualifying (non-agricultural) water quality projects that preserve or restore natural resources. Depending on project ranking and the availability of funding, may be approved to reimburse the applicant for up to 85% of the actual project cost.

Lawns to Legumes

Lawns to Legumes
Board of Water and Soil Resources

Lawns to Legumes is a statewide initiative that offers grants to homeowners interested in converting traditional turf grass lawns into pollinator-friendly habitats. Residents can receive funding to establish gardens with native plants that support bees, butterflies and other pollinators. By creating these habitats, Lakeville residents play a crucial role in conserving Minnesota's native pollinator species and promoting biodiversity in our community. The program emphasizes protection of at-risk species, such as Minnesota's state bee, the federally-endangered Rusty patched bumble bee. 

Chosen projects can receive up to $350 in costs associated with establishing pollinator habitat after a 25% cost match.