The county contains first, second and third ring suburbs, yet half of its area is still rural. Rich in cultural and geologic value, Dakota County contains woodlands, blufflands, wetlands and a number of nature centers, including the Carpenter Nature Center and the MN Zoo. In 1998 FHR formed a Community Advisory Council to enable local citizens to interact with FHR regularly; CAC meetings are held the second Monday of each month at the Veterans Memorial/Grove Community Center in Inver Grove Heights . Go to the Community Advisory Council page for more details.

These communities benefit from the broad tax base generated by FHR, its employees, suppliers and contractors. FHR also continues to be involved with these communities in a variety of ways to improve the quality of life. Some examples include providing college scholarships to area high schools; assisting with the construction of the Rosemount Trail at Rosemount Central Park; creating the Flint Hills Resources Riverfront Park along the Mississippi River near Hastings; and providing support for a new environmental education building at the Carpenter Nature Center. FHR is also working with the Friends of the Mississippi, Great River Greening, and MN Department of Natural Resources to restore plants and wildlife on property Flint Hills owns along the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River.

In addition to working with organizations in the immediate vicinity of the refinery, FHR supports programs and activities whose benefits extend statewide. Please visit Flint Hills Resources' Web site for more information.