Celebrate the 25th year of honoring Ina Mak̇a (Mother Earth) during the SMSC’s Earth Week Extravaganza.
This springtime event offers daily quizzes and prizes April 14-22 as well as a variety of interactive tables and booths for all team members April 22 in the Playworks LINK Event Center Parking Lot from 2:30pm to 5:30pm.
Join Natural Resources and the many other departments who help host this great event and experience all the extravaganza has to offer
SMSC is a Leader in Environmental Sustainability
Environmental sustainability isn’t just something we believe in, but an initiative that we actively strive to improve upon each day. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community continues to be a leader in eco-friendly projects that help improve our environment and natural resources. Check out this video to learn more on how our team enacts sustainable measures throughout the Community!
SMSC Earth Week Extravaganza 2025 Events
ASK A CONSERVATION OFFICER
Take a moment to stop by and chat with a conservation officer about nature-related topics. Learn how the SMSC’s Conservation Department works with the people and the land to protect natural resources for the next seven generations.
MACRO-MANIA
Explore the fascinating world of water bugs with the Natural Resources Department! Get up close with real preserved macroinvertebrates under microscopes. Discover how these tiny creatures reveal big secrets about water quality and take home a coloring page with your favorite aquatic bug!
DEER ON THE MOVE
University of Minnesota White-tailed Deer Project will show the latest technology of using GPS collars to monitor deer movement in urban areas. They are also studying how diseases (including COVID-19) move through deer herds and possible future preventions to ensure healthy deer populations in our state.
EYES IN THE SKY
Discover how drones are revolutionizing environmental conservation with the SMSC Drone Program! From wildlife monitoring to habitat restoration, our cutting-edge drone technology supports sustainability efforts that protect our land and resources.
SALAD FOR ALL SEASONS
Stop by Wozupi’s table and learn how to grow your own fresh greens indoors throughout the year! We’ll be demonstrating how we grow microgreen son the farm using energy-efficient LED lights, and you’ll walk away with a bit of know-how and a starter kit for growing your own. If you’re lucky, you’ll win a grow light!
PTE PARTY
Curious about the pteoptaye (bison herd)?
Pte (bison) staff will be on-site to answer your questions (and possibly get a picture with a pte/bison)
CASP COMPOSTING
Composting has many methods, one being CASP composting which is a forced air composting method that uses either positive, negative, or reversing air movement to assist in the composting process. CASP stands for Covered Aerated Static Pile. Come to our table to learn all about this high-tech composting system that will be used at the new Dakota Prairie Composting site!
LEAD TACKLE DROP-OFF
Trade in your lead tackle and go loon safe instead! Take steps to protect local waterbodies and wildlife by not using lead tackle.
Sample packs of nontoxic fishing tackle will be available to those who bring in lead tackle.
THE SMSC HAS A GREEN ROOF?
Join SMSC staff for a rare opportunity to experience one of the tribe’s best kept secrets.
Tours depart from the main Earth Week Extravaganza event at 3pm and 4pm.
MAKE YOUR OWN HERB POT
Create your own herb pot to take home courtesy of #SMSCgives.
HOW TO ATTRACT THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD
Join the SMSC Horticulture Department and learn why the ruby-throated hummingbird is so important to our ecosystem.
Find our table and choose your own annual plants to attract these beautiful birds to your own yard.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SOLAR ENERGY
Learn about residential solar opportunities and how they can work for you! The event will take place at the Playworks LINK Event Center from 6-9pm following the Earth Day Extravaganza. There will be several tables by local solar contractors and a special presentation by Solar United Neighbors
Practice Sustainability at Work
As the largest employer in Scott County, we have made it our mission to provide and encourage sustainable practices within our teams. Each office area is equipped with tools to help minimize our carbon footprint, including renewable energy sources, composting bins, LED lights, and more. Our Land and Building Services Department works diligently to continue to provide opportunities and education within for everyone in the Community to practice sustainability with ease. Watch this video to learn more about these initiatives.
