Bo is excited for the upcoming Unity Trail. The Unity Trail will be a 5-mile loop along existing walkways in Inver Grove Heights. It will highlight the contributions of Dakota County's diverse community. The project is a partnership of:

• Dakota County Parks 
• Inver Hills Community College
• ISD 199
• City of Inver Grove Heights Parks and Recreation
• Dakota County Library

The Unity Trail will honor and recognize the contributions of Indigenous, Black and communities of color. It will also emphasize the connection between racial equity, sustainability and environmental conservation.

The trail will connect the Mississippi River Greenway, libraries, schools and Inver Hills Community College to reach new and underrepresented users.

Funding for this project was provided through a Metropolitan Council grant, the City of Inver Grove Heights, Dakota County and the Dakota County Statewide Health Improvement Partnership.

SOURCE: Dakota County Forever Wild Parks

Inver Hills Community College is the first educational institution in Minnesota and the 83rd in the United States to be certified as an affiliate of the Bee Campus USA program, which is designed to marshal the strengths of educational campuses for the benefit of pollinators.

As a Bee Campus USA, Inver Hills is a proactive participant in a national movement of campuses committed to engaging in pollinator conservation. The college can contribute to affiliate network webinars that promote collaboration as well as teaching and learning opportunities.

The Bee's Knees Committee at Inver Hills is a cross-departmental working group that meets once a month. Members of The Bee's Knees Committee are dedicated to reviewing the requirements of Bee Campus USA certification and creating a campus-wide habitat plan.

The Bee's Knees Committee at Inver Hills takes pride in the college’s commitment to minimizing hazards to pollinators by using nearly no neonicotinoid pesticides, glyphosate herbicide or other potentially dangerous pesticides.

The Bee’s Knees Committee members are excited about the opportunities for student research, service-learning and/or community-based learning projects, connecting with area businesses, creating sustainability connections in academic program curricula, and establishing designated pollinator gardens on campus. Inviting a variety of environmental stewardship experts to campus as presenters and speakers is also in the works.

Interested in joining the Bee’s Knees Committee? Buzz on over and get involved!