2022 Oceana Conservation District's Annual Report

2022

Oceana Conservation District’s Annual Report

Dan Tutak named Conservationist of the Year

Letter from the Leadership

As I reflect on 2022, I am inspired by what we can accomplish with a small staff, an active board, and a community that is not only eager to learn about the unique natural features of Oceana County but also committed to protecting them.

Last year marked our 50th anniversary and I’m proud to have been a part of the last decade in which we have expanded our footprint in the county. Building on our traditional services of working with farm and forest landowners to manage fields and forests in ways that improve soils, protect groundwater, and conserve energy, we have expanded our programs and services. Through new educational programming, habitat and restoration activities, and transforming land gifts into nature preserves, we are reaching new audiences and inspiring the next generation of conservationists.

And we aren’t slowing down anytime soon. In response to a survey sent out to Oceana County residents in 2022, we are positioning ourselves to answer the call and delve into new territory, literally and figuratively. According to the results of the community survey, it is clear that residents want us to expand our services in two ways: 1) Restoration work such as invasive species removal, habitat improvements, and watershed management, and 2) Land acquisition and preservation for education and recreation purposes. We’ve hired a new staff person to help make

this happen and have some exciting ideas brewing!

2023 is shaping up to be an exciting year in other ways. Not only will we be establishing a five-year strategic plan, we will be developing the Stony Creek Nature Preserve and working with partnering organizations to get more boots-on-the-ground work completed in Oceana County. We are also gearing up for a historic amount of funds that is soon expected to be available to farmers who enroll in federally-funded conservation programs. And so it is, with our current funding sources limited and restricted – but our challenges changing and ascending – we have launched a campaign intended for expanding efforts to preserve and protect the precious and finite natural resources of Oceana County. In celebration of Oceana Conservation District’s 50th year, we are seeking $1,000 for each year of the District’s first 50 years to better position the District for its second 50 years of service. Here is the good news: we have donors pulling together to match the funds and double the impact!

I’m happy to report that within two months of launching the campaign, we’ve raised 40% of our goal. I invite you to help us celebrate this historical year by contributing to our $50K for 50 Years Campaign today! Visit our OceanaConservation.org to see the various ways to give.

- Suzie Knoll

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Oceana Conservation District

Board of Directors

Staff

Growers, Packers, and Shippers of Fruits, Vegetables and Evergreens

Asparagus, Sweet Cherries, Tart Cherries, Zucchini, Sweet Corn, Peaches, Pumpkins, Apples, Winter Squash, and Evergreens

2542 North 128th Ave., Hart, MI (231) 873-2828

info@toddgreinerfarms.com

Suzie Knoll

Lynda Herremans

Eric Herrygers Chair Garry McKeen Vice Chair

Mary Sheppard

Denny Payne Board Member Larry Byl Board Member

Kari Wilson Educator

Mark Kelly USDA-NRCS District Conservationist

Natalie Bekins Invasive Species Coordinator, West Michigan CISMA

Allissa Conley Produce Safety Technician

Jim Nicholas Assoc. Board Member

John Stephens Assoc. Board

Sky Harsch Stewardship

Students at Thomas Read Elementary show off their seedlings. Oceana Conservation District handdelivers a white pine seedling to every 3rd grader in Oceana County on Arbor Day each year.

Upcoming Election: Three candidates running for two seats on the Conservation District’s Board of Directors

Your 2023 Candidates:

Candidates interested in running for a position were required to submit a nominating petition 60 days prior to the election. Each director serves a four-year term and is responsible for overseeing the general operations and financial management of the District.

Voting will take place at the 2023 Agricultural and Natural Resources Banquet scheduled for March 20, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the West Michigan Research Station. Voters must be residents of Oceana County and present confirmation of their residence prior to voting. Any resident who wishes to vote by absentee ballot may do so in person by visiting the Oceana Conservation District office or may call (231) 8615600 and request a vote-by-mail ballot.

Eric Herrygers Running for Re-election

Eric Herrygers grew up in Oceana County on the family farm. After initially working for other farmers in the County, he put his experience and work ethic to good use and started farming full-time with his brother Alan in 1989.

Eric was first elected to the Oceana Conservation District Board in the late 1980s. He served on various boards over the years and remains active on two–the Elbridge Township Board and the Conservation District Board. Among many other activities at the District, he particularly enjoys planting pollinator habitat, in fact, Eric planted 540 acres of pollinator habitat through the District’s habitat restoration program over the last six years. He also looks forward to picking up trees from multiple nurseries around the state each spring in preparation for the tree sale.

Eric states, “We have assembled a great team of employees and have a lot of exciting things happening through the District. The current Board is well-rounded with vast backgrounds, making for a productive Board. I would like to continue to be a part of the momentum and progress for the next four years.”

Mike Kramer Running for Election

Michael Kramer is a longstanding resident of Michigan including Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and now Claybanks Township. He is passionate about the outdoors and supporting causes such as community health and protection of natural resources. His early education included a Zoology degree at Miami University (Ohio) where his training included ecology research. Mike graduated from medical school and proceeded to medical residency at University of Michigan. Mike practiced for 10 years before taking on health system leadership roles. Mike has been a physician executive at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health and most recently OhioHealth. Mike and his wife, Kristie, became residents of Claybanks in 2022 where they have had a home since 2017. They currently have four adult children and plan to retire in the area. They enjoy hiking, gardening, and exploring the West Michigan geography. Kristie and Mike volunteer at a local food co-op where they raise vegetables, hogs, chickens, and sheep. Mike is currently restoring a 1948 Willys Jeep.

Garry McKeen Running for Re-election

Garry has served on the Oceana Conservation District Board for the last four years. He also serves on the Oceana County Planning Commission, Oceana County Parks and Recreation Commission, USS Silversides Museum, Oceana Community Foundation’s Investment Committee, and the Stony Creek Watershed team. He is committed to furthering his knowledge in natural resource management as an MSUE Advanced Master Gardener and MSUE Online ASK the Extension volunteer. Garry also works with the DNR identifying and removing invasive species in our state parks. Garry and his wife Julie live in Mears and their property is MAEAP Verified as well as American Tree Farm certified.

“Four years ago you elected me to the Conservation District Board and I am grateful. At that time I said the following, ’My hope is to bring a different perspective to the board and help find the resources available to grow the Oceana Conservation District.’ Here is how we did as a board and staff during the past four years.

We received two land gifts, 80 acres from the Ottos that we developed into

the Otto Nature Preserve, and 40 acres from the Hunter and Hedlund families that we will develop into the Stony Creek Nature Preserve.

The District hired an Educator to develop education programs for youth including a Knee-High Naturalist Program and summer day camps.

The District awarded several scholarships to local high school graduates interested in pursuing a degree in agriculture, natural resources or conservation.

The District built a strong relationship with the Oceana Community Foundation in the form of grants and fund holding.

The District built a strong relationship with Oceana County Parks and Recreation in the form of Gales Pond and Doolittle Park usage.

The District was able to purchase our current location in Shelby and upgrade the offices.

The District most recently launched a campaign to celebrate the District’s 50th anniversary.

We recently hired a Stewardship Coordinator to expand habitat restoration activities in Oceana County.

The District is very proud to retain an incredible staff who serve as great resources in the community and are integral in growing the long-term future for Oceana County. It is important to me to not only be a steward of the land, but to teach others as I have been taught.”

Golden Stock Farms receives 2022 MAEAP Award

By Lynda Herremans

Oceana MaeaP Technician

Golden Stock Farms was selected as the 2022 Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) award recipient. A voluntary program, MAEAP is both innovative and proactive in assisting farms of all sizes and commodities to prevent or minimize the risk of agriculture pollution. A family-owned farm, Golden Stock Farms is located in Golden Township and was founded in 1932 by Walter Walsworth. Walter’s son Richard (Dick) Walsworth and then Dick’s son Ryan took over operations as it passed through the generations. The farm is currently owned by Ryan’s wife, Janice, and operated by their son Jordon.

In keeping with Oceana Conservation District’s 50th Anniversary theme, Golden Stock Farms is being recognized for its 50+ year commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship. Dick started working with the newly formed Soil & Water Conservation District back in 1972 making him one of the first farmers in Oceana County to do so. Walsworth was recognized as one of the early “Cooperator of the Year” recipients in 1977.

In those years, the 315-acre farm managed several fields of alfalfa which Dick felt was an excellent way to control erosion on his hilly acreage. The hay provided feed to 50 head of beef cattle (hence the name Golden Stock Farms). Asparagus was grown on 65 acres and Dick was a pioneer in starting the practice of growing asparagus utilizing no-till management in 1972. He was also an early adopter in the use of cover crops in asparagus to manage wind erosion in the early 80’s. Other conservation practices included creation of shallow ponds for wildlife, grassed waterways, windbreaks and crop rotation, the latter practice Dick learned from his father Walter. Dick was quoted in the 1977 Oceana Soil & Water Conservation Annual Report saying “What’s good for the land….is good for me”.

In 2000, the Groundwater Stewardship Program (which has now evolved into the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program)

MAEAP Report

Award was presented to Richard and Ryan Walsworth of Golden Stock Farms, one of the very first award recipients of this annual award, in recognition of the farm’s implementation of important practices that help protect groundwater. Groundwater Stewardship Technician Jack Lake assisted the farm with closing abandoned wells, creating their first emergency farm plan, and completing the first farm risk assessments. With technical assistance provided from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, a pesticide storage and mix/load facility was built.

In 2007, the farm became MAEAP Verified, again one of the early farms to do so. The farm has now been re-verified four times, the last two through Jordon’s efforts. While the original conservation stewardship practices are still evident and important, many others have been added including grid soil sampling, drift management, more efficient sprayers with GPS, backflow protection of wells, a variety of irrigation management practices and more.

Today’s farm has expanded to 800 acres including 320 acres of asparagus. Corn, soybeans, and small grains round out the additional acreage. Asparagus season is an extremely busy one with asparagus being grown for both processing and fresh markets. In 2021, Golden Stock Farms received one of MDARD’s Rural Grants to Support Infrastructure allowing the farm to add three-phase power and a new high-tech hydrocooler giv-

ing them the capability to cool large amounts of asparagus produced on their farm. Jordon’s degree in Mechanical Engineering proved helpful in getting the system up and running in time for the 2022 asparagus season.

The Walsworth family is proud of the work they do, their farm and its roots, and it is evident to anyone who drives past the farm. While Jordon is the farm manager and operator, his mother Janice is very involved in day-to-day operations. She does the bookwork, takes care of the landscaping around the farm, helps with straw, works in the packing shed during asparagus season, and helps run the grain dryer during corn harvest. Jordon, wife Sarah and son Henry live across the street from the main farmstead. Dick’s brother Don Walsworth, now in his 80’s, remains an active participant on the farm; he is considered “a Jack of all trades,” and is happy to jump on a tractor when needed.

Golden Stock Farms’ Field Manager Mary Sheppard, who also serves on the Oceana Conservation District Board, expresses this, “I am proud to work for a farm operation that has a history of going above and beyond in all aspects of stewardship and doing what’s right in the name of conservation. Jordon is always thinking about the future of the operation, while maintaining a healthy gratitude for the people who got the farm to where it is now.” Golden Stock Farms will receive their “legacy” MAEAP Award at the Agriculture & Natural Resource Banquet on March 20th.

The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is an innovative, proactive program that helps farms voluntarily prevent or minimize risks to the environment. The verification process is achievable and confidential and includes three phases: 1) Education 2) Farm Assessment and Practice Implementation and 3) On-farm Verification by a third party.

An impressive 174 systems on 92 farms were listed as verified with up-to-date re-verifications at the close of fiscal year 2022 in Oceana County. We are grateful to the MAEAP-verified farms who are showing their commitment as top stewards of the land.

Primary goals for the MAEAP Technician each year are to work with growers to implement environmental stewardship practices such as emergency farm planning, water use reporting, no-till drill use, secondary containment, anti-backflow prevention, nutrient and pest management and more, practices that protect soil and water and meet MAEAP verification standards. The Technician also provides educational opportunities for growers on topics relevant to their current needs and challenges and shares ways they can conserve our local natural resources.

In addition to working one-on-one with growers throughout the year, the following outreach programs were completed by MAEAP Technician:

• Organized the Farming for the Future Field Day at New Era’s American Apple

• Provided an informational workshop on irrigation

• Coordinated the collection and recycling of 7,000 agricultural containers

• Collected old or unused pesticides at the annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection

• Collaborated with MSUE, the West Michigan Research Station and Oceana County Farm Bureau to provide tours, meetings and other outreach events.

• Attended the MAEAP booth at the Great Lakes Expo

• Provided presentations to students at local schools and at West Shore Community College

NEW VERIFICATIONS – 7

• Dan Tutak Farm: Farmstead & Cropping, Claybanks Township

• Danes Farm: Farmstead, Cropping & Livestock, Shelby Township

• Undisclosed Farm: Farmstead & Cropping

RE-VERIFICATIONS – 11

• BW Orchards - 2 sites: Farmstead & Cropping, Benona & Elbridge Townships

• Casting Crowns: Farmstead & Cropping, Claybanks Township

• J&H Fleming Farms: Farmstead & Cropping, Shelby Township

• Golden Stock Farms: Farmstead & Cropping, Golden Township

• Vinke Farms: Farmstead & Cropping, Shelby Township

Golden Stock Farms (from left): Mary Sheppard and Walsworth family members Sarah, Janice, Don, Jordon and Henry.

Lynn and Craig Mara, owners of Casting Crowns Farm went through the re-verification process in 2022. They were initially verified in 2017.

The Farming for the Future Field Day was held at American Apple in New Era in 2022. This event is a partnership effort between the Conservation District and Oceana County Farm Bureau to promote environmental stewardship and highlight Oceana agriculture.

Invasive Species Report

recently in Benzie) on public and private lands along 100 miles of lakeshore (see map). A substantial amount of grant funds has been allocated to support survey and treatment work to manage HWA in West Michigan.

As one of seven counties in the West Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA), Oceana County benefits from state and federal grant funds to treat targeted invasive species in forest and wetland areas. Oceana Conservation District works closely with the Ottawa and Muskegon Conservation Districts to implement invasive species treatments in Oceana County. Prioritization is currently going to species that are present in our county in relatively small or isolated populations but pose a high risk of further spread. An “early detection, rapid response” approach enables land managers to act quickly, before the species population grows to the point where it cannot be locally eradicated.

During the 2022 field season, CISMA crews treated approximately 48 acres of terrestrial invasive species on private and public property. Target species in 2022 included Japanese Knotweed, Japanese Barberry, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Oriental Bittersweet, Phragmites, European Frogbit, and Autumn Olive.

The West Michigan CISMA is closely monitoring and actively involved in managing Hemlock Woolly Adelgid and European Frog-bit that are prevalent in Oceana County. Updates are provided below.

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) is an invasive insect that has been identified in six West Michigan counties (Mason, Oceana, Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan and most

Locally, HWA has been detected within the Pentwater State Game Area, Charles Mears and Silver Lake State Parks, and on numerous private properties in Oceana County.

The HWA strike teams based out of the Ottawa, Muskegon and Mason-Lake Conservation Districts supplemented DNR work and treated 5,434 trees in Oceana County in 2022. In recent years, grant funds have been directed to northern counties, however new efforts are underway to secure more work in Oceana County in 2023.

West Michigan CISMA, surveys were completed in 2020 to determine the extent of the infestation within the Pentwater River Watershed. Crews have been implementing spot treatments in the Pentwater River over the last two years, covering 79 acres within the Pentwater State Game Area. A management plan for European Frog-bit was drafted in 2022 and Pentwater will remain a priority.

West Michigan is currently the only CISMA in the state treating European Frog-bit, highlighting it as a primary target in the coming year. Funding is available for surveys, treatment, and re-treatment on public and private land. Sabrina Butler, Invasive Species Technician at Muskegon Conservation District, is the current lead on this project in both Muskegon and Oceana counties. Please contact Muskegon Conservation District for more information and to apply for treatment.

tive marsh vegetation, reduce native fish and wildlife populations, restrict access for boats and landowners , and can be a fire danger for nearby residents.

Grant funds are available to treat Phragmites in and along Pentwater River and Pentwater Lake in 2023. Muskegon Conservation District is hoping to contact landowners in the Pentwater Watershed and connect them with funding to survey and treat this invasive species. To find out more and to sign up for treatments, contact Sabrina Butler, Invasive Species Technician leading Phragmites treatment in Oceana and Muskegon counties.

Purple Loosestrife

Purple Loosestrife, a perennial herb, is present in relatively small amounts compared to counties in Southern Michigan and residents are encouraged to manage it where found. It grows along roadsides and wetlands, establishing and replacing native vegetation which reduces native plant diversity and subsequently habitat value to wildlife. Conservationists have had some success with biological controls, namely the leaf-feeding beetle (Galerucella spp). However, this is not an eradication effort but rather a suppression that allows the invasive to become part of a wetland plant community with less harm to surrounding wildlife.

(HWA) secrete white cotton-like clumps as they feed on sap from hemlock trees. HWA can kill needles, shoots and branches.

European Frog-bit

European frog-bit, an aquatic invasive species, was first detected in Pentwater Lake in 2019. In coordination with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, the Gun Lake Tribe, and the

Native to Europe, Africa and Asia, European frog-bit is an aquatic plant with small, heart-shaped leaves. Unlike similar aquatic plants, European frog-bit does not anchor its roots in the lake or stream bed but remains free-floating. Resembling small lily pads, three-petaled white flowers with yellow centers appear briefly between mid-July and mid-August. The plant quickly forms dense colonies or mats that prevent native plant growth, make movement difficult for ducks and large fish, and cause problems for boaters, anglers and swimmers.

Phragmites

Invasive Phragmites, also called common reed, is a warm-season perennial grass often found in ditches, swales, wetlands, and on stream and pond banks. These invasive grasses quickly replace na-

Spongy Moth (Lymantria Dispar), formerly known as Gypsy Moth, is predicted to continue its natural decline this year! After a large-scale outbreak that led to particularly extreme defoliation cycles 2020-2022, Spongy Moth populations are winding down. Spongy Moth outbreaks are cyclical, peaking approximately every seven to 10 years, which is good news for landowners and nature enthusiasts who need a break from the early summer destruction of these invasives. Population crashes are largely due to biological controls; Entomophaga maimaiga, a fungal pathogen found to be killing spongy moth caterpillars, and Nucleopolyhedrosis virus. These pathogens help limit the size and length of the outbreak and are now widespread across Michigan, actively reducing populations. Localized outbreaks are never out of the question however, so landowners should continue to look for and scrape egg sacks when located by mid-April before larvae begin to hatch.

Spongy Moth (Gypsy Moth)

Spongy Moth egg masses are typically teardrop-shaped and about 1-2 inches long. They are yellow-brown in color, felt-like in texture, and can be found in cracks of tree bark, on the underside of large branches, on fallen logs and rock piles, and on lawn furniture. Masses persist after the eggs hatch in May, turn white and develop holes or tears. Each mass can hold between 600 and 1,000 eggs, so every mass you remove drastically decreases your chances of severe infestation.

This stand of Phragmites was treated along the north branch of the Pentwater River and no longer exists.

Hemlock woolly adelgid

Natural Resources Conservation District Report

Increased Funding Expected in 2023

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), works with private landowners to install or implement conservation practices on their land. NRCS is an agency of resource professionals who partner and work directly with and through local conservation districts. NRCS’s mission is to educate and assist landowners with installing conservation practices. NRCS has been working with farmers, ranchers, rural landowners and conservation districts since 1935. In 2022, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) contracted over $70,000 to address natural resource concerns in Oceana County. EQIP provided funding for seasonal high tunnels, cover crops, critical area plantings, nutrient management, prescribed grazing, windbreak establishment, grassed waterways, forest management plans, waste storage facilities and more. The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contracted over $632,000 on more than 4,800 acres to landowners looking for additional opportunities to expand on existing conservation efforts. CSP provided funding for cover crops, conservation cover, pollinator and monarch habitat plantings, tree and shrub establishment, forest management, and more.

The Shelby USDA Service Center office looks forward to continuing to work with landowners on their agricultural and conservation goals. Call (231) 861-5600 for more information.

The Inflation Reduction Act signed in August 2022 by President Biden represents the single largest investment in climate and clean energy solutions in American history. It is a historic, once-in-a-generation investment and opportunity for the agricultural communities that USDA serves. The Inflation Reduction Act will help producers stay on the farm, prevent producers from becoming ineligible for future assistance, and promote climate-smart agriculture by increasing access to conservation assistance.

The law provides $20 billion to support USDA’s conservation programs that yield climate-related benefits while building resilience in agricultural operations. These are programs that are well-known to farmers and ranchers and are also oversubscribed. These investments mean that more producers will have access to conservation assistance.

• $8.45 billion for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program

• $4.95 billion for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program

$3.25 billion for the Conservation Stewardship Program

• $1.4 billion for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program

• $1 billion for conservation technical assistance

• $300 million to measure, evaluate, quantify carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emission reductions from conservation investments

These additional funds will help farmers and ranchers implement expanded conservation practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase storage of carbon in their soil and trees. The conservation funding is on top of otherwise available program funds, and the voluntary, incentivebased approach is targeted to support climate-smart agriculture mitigation and help producers build resilience in their operations.

Farm Bill Programs

• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): The EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against increasing weather volatility.

• Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP): The CSP helps you build on your existing conservation efforts while strengthening your operation. Whether you are looking to improve grazing conditions, increase crop resiliency, or develop wildlife habitat, we can custom design a CSP plan to help you meet those goals. We can help you identify natural resource problems in your operation and provide technical and financial assistance to solve those problems or attain higher stewardship levels in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner.

• Conservation Reserve Program (CRP): The CRP reduces soil erosion, protects the Nation’s ability to produce food and fiber, reduces sedimentation in streams and lakes, improves water quality, establishes wildlife habitat, and enhances forest and wetland resources. It encourages farmers to convert highly erodible cropland or other environmentally sensitive acreage to vegetative cover, such as tame or native grasses, wildlife plantings, trees, filter strips, or riparian buffers. Farmers receive an annual rental payment for the term of the multi-year contract. Cost sharing is provided to establish the vegetative cover practices.

• Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP): The ACEP helps landowners, land trusts, and other entities protect, restore, and enhance wetlands, grasslands, and working farms and ranches through conservation easements. Under the Agricultural Land Easements component, NRCS helps American Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations protect working agricultural lands and limit non-agricultural uses of the land. Under the Wetlands Reserve Easements component, NRCS helps to restore, protect and enhance enrolled wetlands.

Although Oceana Conservation District has employed foresters throughout its 50-year history, 2022 marked the 10th year providing services through Michigan’s Forestry Assistance Program. Last year, 220 people contacted the District Forester for service requests. As a result, 160 site visits were provided covering 8,528 acres throughout the three-county service area (Oceana, Newaygo, and Muskegon).

As a public service, the District Forester provides landowners a site visit and recommendations about forestry, forest health and forest management. For example, the District Forester can help forest landowners estimate the value of their woodlot and point them in the right direction if they plan to conduct a timber harvest. The District Forester can also provide suggestions on how to improve the ecological health of the forest and how to create more habitat for deer and other wildlife. As a certified arborist, Rod Denning is also available to help diagnose forest pests and diseases.

A major focus of the Forestry Assistance Program is the administration and promotion of the Qualified Forest Program (QFP). Last year, 28 landowners enrolled 2,260 acres in the program. The program provides a property tax exemption for private landowners who actively

Forestry Assistance Program Report

manage their woodlots for the production of forest products. The goal of the program is to promote sustainable forest management practices and to provide forest products to Michigan’s forest products industry.

The Forestry Assistance Program also serves as a referral service to help landowners connect with private consulting foresters to write a Forest Stewardship Plan, apply to the Qualified Forest Program, or to administer a timber sale. Overall, 51 referral contacts resulted from this process in 2022. To help evaluate how effective Michigan’s Forestry Assistance Program is, District Foresters are asked to estimate the economic value of referral activities. For our service area, 31 forest management plans were referred to the private sector resulting in an estimated $61,000 of economic activity. Also, 16 timber harvests were referred for administration covering 811 acres with the potential to yield approximately $183,400 worth of forest products.

Site visits were up 50% compared to last fiscal year which made for a busy year, and QFP verifications for new landowners were the same as last year. A direct mailing was sent to 631 forest landowners in Newaygo County promoting the Qualified Forest Program. Overall, this helped increase contacts and site visits to the program.

District Forester Rod Denning is available to help landowners manage their forest for sustainable timber production, wildlife habitat, and/or optimal ecological health.

Outreach and education are also an important part of the District Forester’s role. Last year, Denning hosted a Spongy Moth Forum in Newaygo County which attracted over 100 people interested in the latest information about the insect outbreak. Other events included a guided program at Otto Nature Preserve for Muskegon Community College students studying forestry concepts, and a meeting updating the community on a completed tree planting project in Oceana County.

If you’re a forest landowner and are interested in services that the Forestry Assistance Program offers, please contact District Forester Rod Denning at (616) 920-9775 or rod.denning@macd.org.

Conservationist of the Year

By Sharon Hallack cOnTribuTing Wri Ter

In today’s modern agriculture we are used to seeing pivot irrigation watering the thirsty ground and all sorts of modern farm machinery carrying out various farming practices - but a farmer in a field carrying a hoe? That’s right. Meet Dan Tutak of Montague, Oceana Conservation District’s Conservationist of the Year. Dan, who uses his farming and engineering background to manage his 220-acre farm of soybeans and corn, is just as comfortable with modern farming practices and equipment, as he is with good oldfashioned ones.

“I’m not an organic farmer, but I’m pretty conservation-minded. I want to leave the land better than when I got it,” Tutak said.

“Dan is meticulous and pays much attention to detail in the management of his farm and crops. He has some of the best records I have seen for all aspects of his farming practices and most notably irrigation management. His engineering background has been a great asset to him, especially in the set up and running of his two irrigation pivot systems. Growing the best possible crops in every field is truly a passion for him and evidenced by his attention to pest scouting (weeds and insects) each year and the time and energy he spends to grow healthy plants in the field while also paying attention to the health of the soils, surface and groundwater,” said Lynda Herremans, Oceana MAEAP Technician.

Over the course of the past few years, Tutak has worked hard to eradicate many annoying weeds on his croplands, located in both Claybanks and Grant Townships. With his regular scouting rotations he claims he’s not had velvetleaf or marestail go to seed in a long time. Regular scouting of his fields is just as important to him as no-till seeding or creating grass waterways to prevent erosion. He is currently enrolled in two Farm Bill programs--the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) - as well as the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP), has demonstrated his commitment to sustainable agriculture by implementing practices that protect the soil, water, and wildlife. Through the use of cover crops, no-till practices, creating vegetative buffers along Flower Creek, utilizing safe fuel and chemical storage/handling, practicing responsible nutrient, irrigation, drift and pest management and creating wildlife habitat, the decision to name him this year’s conservationist was an easy one.

Raised on the Chester (and Stella) Tutak Farm west of Rothbury, Dan grew up the sixth of seven children, helping raise everything from cattle, peas, pickles, hay, corn and soybeans. “I spent a lot of summers picking pickles and hauling hay,” he said. A Montague High School graduate, Tutak bought his first piece of property in 1980. “I bought 26 acres along US-31 from MDOT (Michigan Department of Transportation) when the new freeway

Sowing old and new together

was going in. I didn’t have any solid plans for it, but my dad was aware that it was for sale and suggested I consider buying it. It was a lot of hard clearing work for a few years to get it really cleaned up.”

Following his 1988 graduation from Michigan Tech, Tutak worked as a “part-time” farmer and full-time engineer until 2009. Once his father retired, he rented the farm from him. Then in 2000 he purchased the home farm and property. Interestingly, the first piece of equipment he purchased on his own was a John Deere minimal-till planter. With a few modifications Tutak says it really could be called a no-till planter. According to Tutak his ground is mostly a loamy sand, “I’ve got about 10-18 inches of topsoil and below that it’s pure yellow beach sand. In the early days we experienced several years of drought. I could literally see rain falling all around us, but we wouldn’t get any. In 2011 I put in my first pivot, designing and installing both the irrigation pumps and 3-phase generator systems. It cost me some money, but it is amazing what putting water on a crop can do. It’s like an extra insurance policy, if you have water available. While the soil is a sandy loam, the water table is high, which is ‘a blessing and a curse’. I’ve installed horizontal sock wells, which are trenched horizontally 20 feet below grade. Sock wells were originally used for dewatering construction work sites. The eight-inch drain tile is covered with a filter sock to keep the sand out. The key is to have enough good ground structure to allow infiltration and percolation so water is available for irrigation. It is a balance irrigating enough to grow the crop, but not so much that you deplete and leach nutrients to the water table. You have to take a lot of things into consideration to create that balance - weather, growing cycle etc. In the spirit of conservation, extra features are included on the

irrigation systems to ensure uniform water application and high water well energy efficiency.”

As far as his no-till practices, Tutak says he’s been almost 100% no-till since the beginning of his farming operation. He can remember the days before the farm implemented no-till, when wind and water erosion would severely damage a freshly plowed field or hillside. Besides other safeguards, Tutak is in the process of creating more permanently-vegetated waterways. Instead of farming right through the low spots or drain areas, grasses have been planted to protect the groundwater.

Tutak speaks well of the Oceana Conservation District saying they have kept him motivated to do what he knew he needed to do. “EQIP does require thorough record-keeping, but that info is handy to have when managing nutrient application and irrigation,” Tutak said. The EQIP program inspired him to put in a protective chemical and fuel handling facility, the final step in becoming MAEAP certified. With OCD Executive Director Suzie Knoll’s assistance, he has added two acres of wildflowers to create a natural pollinator habitat as well. He does use grid soil-sampling on a two to three year rotation. With that information he can more accurately apply amendments to his fields. He also regularly scouts for weeds, insects and disease and relies on the experts for advice.

Tutak enjoys all seasons of the year and uses winter to catch up on paperwork and if the conditions are favorable, get in some cross-country skiing. Pretty soon the snow and cold will be gone and the fields will need his attention once again. And along with his many modern farming and conservation practices, you’ll probably still find him walking his fields with a hoe over his shoulder, scouting for any velvetleaf or marestail, meticulously taking care of the land.

Dan Tutak wants to leave the land better than when he got it

Amanda Dodge • Oceana’s Herald-Journal and contributed

Dan Tutak has been named Conservationist of the Year by the Oceana Conservation District. His 220 acres of farmland are in Claybanks and Grant Townships. Dan has MAEAP verification in both cropping and farmstead systems. He shared the photo, bottom left, of his soybeans emerging though an annual rye cover crop.

Community weighs in on priorities for Oceana Conservation District

Every five years we ask county residents to share what they value most about Oceana’s natural features and help us identify natural resource concerns. The responses we receive help us prioritize projects, facilitate conversations about gaps in our services, and guide our future work. In early 2022, we asked residents to fill out a Conservation Needs Assessment in survey form and we received 204 responses.

The survey requested basic demographic information from respondents, asked them to rank land use, water quality, wildlife, and habitat issues in order of importance, and asked them about their awareness of, participation in, and prioritization of Oceana Conservation District programs. Staff compiled survey response data into spreadsheets and bar graphs, and based on community input, a five-year strategic plan will be developed and adopted by staff and board members later this year.

According to the survey, the three most valued natural resources in Oceana County are:

1) Surface water–lakes, rivers, and streams

2) Open space/recreation areas–parks and nature preserves

3) Hunting and fishing land

When asked to prioritize resource concerns, stakeholders rated nine key issues either as high, medium, or low priority. The top three, high-priority categories were water quality, invasive species, and wildlife habitat respectively. Refer to the graph to see how residents ranked the various issues.

These priorities aligned with responses we received regarding areas in which residents would like to see the District expand its focus in the next five years. The highest ranking areas of requested expansion were restoration projects, invasive species removal, watershed management, and land acquisition and preservation (shown in the pie chart below).

Responses in the “additional feedback” section of the survey reinforce previously reported data and can be grouped into a few common subjects. Many stakeholders voiced their desire for the expansion of invasive species management, including increasing our response to Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in the county. Requests for more resources to support wildlife, develop forest management plans, continue reforestation efforts, and participate in organic agricultural practices were also expressed. Many residents stated they would like to see more opportunities for local school involvement and educational programing put on by Oceana Conservation District, as well as a plea for improvements to the county’s minimal recycling program. Our biggest call to action is to get more boots on the ground to manage invasive species, improve wildlife habitat, and take an active role in watershed management. Residents also want us to protect and preserve natural, scenic and farm lands that provide opportunities for education and recreation. We recently hired a Stewardship Coordinator to take the lead on these new initiatives and we look forward to reporting on our progress next year.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Oceana Conservation Needs Assessment this past spring. With over 200 responses, county residents overwhelmingly agreed on the county’s most valued resources and prioritized environmental and resource concerns in conjunction with those resources. This data will help us prioritize our services, develop new programming, update our five year strategic plan, and focus our field work efforts in 2023 and beyond.

Education Report

A little snowy weather doesn’t slow down the hardy residents of Oceana County. The new year started off with several winter activities for all ages. Otto Nature Preserve was the site for three “Fridays in the Forest” hikes as well as a field trip for area high school students. A beautiful destination any time of year, Otto Nature Preserve is especially interesting in winter for what is revealed when the snow falls: participants were thrilled with the sighting of a pileated woodpecker and enjoyed tracking deer, identifying porcupine scat and even spotting tiny mouse tail marks in the snow.

Our popular Owl Prowl events were led by Conservation Technician (aka Owl Whisperer) Adam Chandler and retired science teacher John Wyns. These winter hikes, held on or near the full moon, are always exciting as we gain our night vision and make our way carefully along the snowy paths while listening intently for an answering call. Even when the owls choose to watch us quietly from their perch above, Adam has a knack for spotting them against the winter sky.

We welcomed spring with a wildflower walk in May on the Shelby area property of Jim and Bonnie Nicholas in which participants had the opportunity to identify and learn about the cultural history of many spring ephemeral wildflower species. Guided birding field trips to Pines Point Recreation Area, Walkinshaw Wetlands, and the Hart Biopure facility were also well attended last year with sightings of numerous woodland and wetland birds. During our “Fern Frenzy” program, participants joined retired naturalist Chip Francke to learn about the life cycle and identification of ferns that grow in Oceana County.

During all seasons of the year, Oceana County’s forests, fields and waterways echo with the joyful sounds of children exploring, playing and learning through our Knee-high Naturalists Forest School Program and Nature Day Camps. In 2022 a new pavilion at Doolittle County Park provided much appreciated shelter for our education programs, which operate rain or shine. Among the many

woodland activities of 2022, the children reveled in creek stomping, campfire cooking and building birdhouses with volunteer Frank Doll. Thanks to a Community Foundation Grant we were able to hire 6 local teens to serve as Nature Camp counselors while generous community donations funded many scholarships enabling more children than ever to participate in these two popular programs. Spring and Fall in Oceana County signal the return of two annual events: our 3rd grade tree seedling distribution and 6th grade field trip. In 2022, Oceana County’s 3rd graders enjoyed a classroom visit from Conservation District staff highlighting the Eastern White Pine. This annual tradition celebrates our state tree while providing all area 3rd graders and their families an opportunity to engage in stewardship action by planting and caring for a pine seedling. In September, area 6th graders headed to Gales Pond where they explored woods and water and gained a deeper understanding of our role on the planet, as they circulated through station activities provided by Conservation District staff and volunteers.

While our education programs strive to provide enriching experiences for learners of all ages, a central mission of the Conservation District is to inspire and support stewardship of the land and resources of Oceana County through best practices. In the fall, in collaboration with the Savannah Institute, area farmers and others participated in an Intro to Agroforestry seminar at Bill and Patrice Bobier’s Earthscape Farm in Ferry Township. Nate Ayers, of the West Michigan Agroforestry Partnership, presented a variety of practices for the sustainability of our agricultural industry. Lively conversation and a tour of the farm highlighting the Bobier’s multi-year investment in transforming the land was followed by a barbecue enjoyed by all. Throughout 2022, in all seasons and weather conditions, Oceana County residents of all ages were engaged in meaningful learning opportunities through Conservation District education programming.

1-2. The District’s summer camp program provides an opportunity for campers to connect with the natural world and make new friends through games, crafts and nature hikes and always attracts a waiting list. 3-5. Knee-High Naturalists explore nature’s playground while gaining school-readiness skills through music and movement, read-aloud stories, games and nature crafts. 6. Students enjoy a guided field trip at Otto Nature Preserve.

4.

6. 2.

3. 1. 5.

District recognizes several individuals

we’re so grateful for the trust you have in us to deliver quality programs and services in Oceana County.

We want to recognize a few individuals who have donated over $10,000 in recent years.

Bill Sitterley awarded Volunteer of the Year!

Bill has been a remarkable guardian and keeper of our beloved Otto Nature Preserve. Living in close vicinity to the preserve, he finds enjoyment in monitoring the trails, clearing downed trees, and alerting staff of any vandalism issues. Bill also took the lead on assembling and installing four benches along the trail last fall which we were so grateful for! We thank Bill for the service and hospitality he provides to the visitors of Otto Nature Preserve in this way.

Oceana Conservation District extends its utmost thanks and appreciation to a few of its biggest financial supporters

A sincere thanks to all of our friends and supporters who donate time and/or money to support our mission! We couldn’t do it without the support of our community and

Jack and Peggy Roberts were the inspiration behind the establishment of the District’s new Land Preservation Fund. Seasonal residents in the Deerwood Association of Benona Township since 1994, Jack and Peggy are so passionate about preserving what they love about Oceana County–the fresh air, clean water and green spaces–that they offered to provide matching funds up to $50,000 in response to our $50K for 50 Years Campaign, and we couldn’t be more grateful!

Jack and Peggy think the world of Dick and Lorayne Otto and have loved what the District has done with their land gift at Otto Nature Preserve. The Roberts continue to be excited about the District’s vision and are eager to invest in the natural resources of Oceana County!

We value Jack as a supporter and friend of the District in other ways too; he has attended most of our board meetings over the last two years, has helped raise funds, and contributes writing samples for District use. We welcome and value his input and appreciate his interest in seeing the District succeed.

Garry and Julie McKeen of Mears have donated not only countless hours, but also significant financial contributions over the last several years. Garry is as active of a board member as they come. We see him in our office a few times a week–attending to facility needs, sharing news about the projects he is involved in, or participating in one of our events. We are equally delighted to see Julie in our office once a week during tree sale season. Julie enters over 300 tree orders into Quickbooks this time of year!

Garry and Julie immediately answered the $50K for 50 Years challenge and were the first to pledge $10,000 to the Land Preservation Fund! The McKeens also support our Forest School program for “Knee-High Naturalists” on an annual basis, and contribute to building upgrades and repairs. What an asset they are to our community.

Edward Klunk of Shelby is a quiet, yet fierce supporter of Oceana Conservation District and if you’ve ever had a conversa-

tion with him you’d be fascinated to hear about his life and work experiences. Mycologist, teacher, principal, superintendent, naturalist and ornithologist are some of the titles he can claim, but if you really know him, you’ll know where his heart truly lies–as an ambassador for youth. Not only did he spend his entire career advocating for the students in his care, Ed continues to impact youth in retirement. In 2017, Ed initiated the District’s Munger Scholarship Program as a way to invest in local youth while also promoting further education in the conservation of Oceana’s natural resources. The scholarship program continued for many years, although when the District launched its KneeHigh Naturalists program, the scholarship program evolved to support program fees for local families to attend the District’s educational programming. Each year, Ed provides scholarship funds to families that might not otherwise be able to attend our summer camps or forest school.

We’d also like to recognize Richard and Lorayne Otto who have contributed a significant amount of funds toward the establishment and ongoing maintenance of Otto Nature Preserve.

Summer Camp wouldn’t be possible without our Guest Experts and Volunteers

We are so grateful to Frank and Teresa Doll who helped with many of our camp projects from tie-dyed bandanas to bull boat building. Bernie and Sandee Ware of Ware Farms teamed up with Stacey Compton to lead campers through mushroom log inoculation and Trystin Vanderstelt and her

daughter, camper Elsa, shared their experiences with bee keeping. Finally, a huge shout out to Bill and Patrice Bobier for lending their land and hearts to our Farm Camp once again this year.

Oceana Conservation District acknowledges the following organizations as integral partners in our shared mission:

• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

• Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

• Oceana’s Herald Journal

• Oceana County Parks

• County Commissioners for annual financial support

• MSU Extension

• Oceana Community Foundation

• West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission

• White River Watershed Partnership

• Trout Unlimited

• Friends of the Pentwater River Watershed

• West Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area

• Oceana County Farm Bureau for sponsoring events

• Wilbur Ellis, Helena Chemical and Nutrien Ag Solutions for partnering on recycling programs

• Hart Department of Public Works and Oceana County Road Commission for partnering on community collection and recycling projects

• West Michigan Agroforestry Partnership

• Numerous individuals who volunteer at our events

Bill and his wife Sally have a summer home in Benona Township.

One of four benches placed along the trails at Otto Nature Preserve

and organizations as Keys to Success

Ed Klunk shares his knowledge of mushrooms during a Mushroom Foray at Otto Nature Preserve in 2021. Klunk will lead a similar program this year on September 8.

Jack and Peggy Roberts Garry and Julie McKeen

Edward Klunk

Richard and Lorayne Otto

Providing a place to “be” at Stony Creek Nature Preserve

largest beech, hemlock and yellow birch he’s ever seen. Judy cherishes the moments she spent molding clay soils along the creek and refers to it as the “most peaceful place imaginable.” Tom remembers his “Grandpa Tom” cooking fresh brook trout on the wood stove. All three siblings remember finding the carcass of a bear cub when they were walking in the woods together.

The Legacy of Richard Otto lives on at Otto Nature Preserve

By Jack Roberts

When the 40-acre parcel that will be named “Stony Creek Nature Preserve” opens to the public in 2024, it will be the final, wish-fulfilling chapter in a family story that began over 100 years ago.

The Morse family came from England, settled in Maine, and gradually dispersed westward. Charles Morse left Maine and settled in Allen County, Indiana but later decided to join his father and brother in Michigan who had migrated to Benona Township. It was in the early 1880s when Charles boarded his wife Mary and their three children—Georgiana, Harvey, and Thomas—on a train bound for Shelby, while Charles drove a team of horses 250 miles north with the family’s belongings. Charles and Mary’s son Thomas eventually married Alice Culver of Hart and they became partners with his parents on the family farm.

Thomas Morse acquired a 40-acre parcel in Benona Township in 1913, while three cousins acquired nearby property. Thomas was a hardworking farmer and retreated to the parcel to be alone—sometimes to cut wood that he would split, stack and sell, and other times for trout fishing he cherished.

Thomas and Alice’s daughter Gladys grew up on the Benona Township farm and occasionally visited “The Woods” with her father. Gladys Morse attended Michigan State College (now MSU) where she met Howard Hunter. One day after they had been dating off and on for a while, Howard asked Gladys for a date, but at the time he was in Lansing, and she was in Shelby. As if to test his resolve, she suggested they go fishing. When he agreed, she said, “Be here at 4:00 a.m.” Howard arrived, sleep deprived, and asked Gladys to marry him—proposing on the bridge which still exists across the creek at the southern boundary.

Howard and Gladys had three children—Stan, Judy, and Tom—who have fond memories of the property and for many years maintained an annual summer tradition of gathering their families together at “The Woods” to camp, fish and explore. Stan claims that the property hosts the

The daughter of Tom and Nancy Hunter, Cindy Hunter Morgan, who is now an accomplished poet, recalls her sense of isolation as she explored the ravines between the creek banks. She visits her favorite creek-crossing log annually and refers to “The Woods” as “a magical place; a place of deep quiet and stillness.”

Gladys was deeded the property and passed it on to her children Tom, Judy and Stan. Fulfilling Gladys’s wishes to never sell the property, but rather protect it so that others could enjoy the specialness of the place, the land was gifted to Oceana Conservation District in 2022. Cindy says, ”In the day and age when the magic of quiet is hard to find, our hope is that this will remain a place where one can hear and feel the quiet.”

The Oceana County Conservation District board, staff and volunteers will spend the next two years assuring that the new Stony Lake Nature Preserve is just that kind of place. We are grateful for the family’s trust and confidence in us to preserve, what is sure to be, a local gem.

It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Richard Otto. Dick passed away January 5th of this year at age 94. He was born June 9, 1928, in Lansing, to James and Edith (Allen) Otto. Dick served in the U.S. Navy before attending MSU, where he graduated in 1952. He worked at AutoOwners Insurance for 46 years, retiring in 1994 as CEO. Dick was a devoted member of St. David’s Episcopal Church and active in the Capital Region Community Foundation, but his favorite place was his cottage on Lake Michigan, where he loved sailing, woodworking and fireworks. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Lorayne Otto, as well as his daughters, grand-children and great grand-children.

Otto Nature Preserve has become a community sanctuary since its donation to the Oceana Conservation District by Lorayne and Richard Otto in 2019. Visitors come daily to observe the native wildlife and enjoy the solitude of the forest. This land donation is a true gift to the community and has opened new opportunities for the district, now utilizing the preserve for educational events, volunteer opportunities, and nature hikes. Richard and Lorayne Otto were awarded the Conservation Legacy Award in 2021 as a demonstration of our gratitude. We thank you, Richard, for your service to our country and to our community. Oceana Conservation District staff send warm thoughts to the Otto family during this difficult time.

Gladys Morse Hunter crosses Stony Creek in 1979.

Historical photo of Alder’s Bridge located at the southern boundary of the Stony Creek Nature Preserve. Locals call it “Iron Bridge.”

Prescribed Fire as a Natural Resource Management Tool Local eagle population threatened

The destructive nature of fire justifiably stokes fear in most. Fires ruin homes and barns, entire forests, and millions of acres of grasslands. It’s counterintuitive to think land managers utilize fire as a natural resource management tool.

Historically, fire has been an important part of the development and integrity of grasslands and forests. For thousands of years, wildfires kept prairies free of trees and periodically cleared the landscape. These fires were either caused by lightning or intentionally set by Native Americans. By controlling the woody vegetation, the fruit-bearing shrubs and forage benefitted.

Land managers in recent decades have assessed landscape management strategies and promote controlled burns as an effective land management tool. Fire in a grassland ecosystem can help maintain its health and vigor. It warms the soil and reduces the leaf litter that accumulates each year, allowing sunlight to penetrate, and stimulating growth. Fire also acts as a fertilizer, replenishing nutrients in the soils while removing undesirable weeds and stunting tree encroachment.

Similarly, controlled burns in forests reduce fuel loads and curb the threat of large-scale forest fires. Prescribed fire in forests is also used to promote oak regeneration or reduce the spread of invasive species, pests and diseases.

In 2017 Oceana Conservation District began promoting and planting grassland and prairie vegetation to create habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. According to the Conservation District’s management guidelines, mowing is the primary tool for controlling weeds the first two years after planting. Mowing prevents the weeds from shading out the native species and also prohibits the weeds from setting new seed into the soil.

Burning the third year, and on a regular basis in future years, is the most effective tool to manage the weeds and stimulate new growth. Only experienced, trained crews should perform the prescribed burn and appropriate burn permits must be acquired. A wide path (10-15 feet) around the perimeter of the native planting, called a burn lane, acts as a firebreak and should be kept mowed throughout the growing season. Biologists recommend a three-year burn rotation in which one-third of the area is burned per year, a strategy that protects overwintering butterflies, moths, as well as early nesting birds.

To learn more about prescribed fire, join USDA-NRCS Technical Service Provider and experienced Burn Boss Steve Cross for a comprehensive prescribed fire workshop. Learn how and why prescribed fire is used as a natural resource management tool—to enhance critical habitat for wildlife, suppress invasive species, and stimulate growth in our forests and grasslands. Steve Cross will share detailed information on how to conduct a prescribed fire including ways to avoid the potential for large-scale wildfires. He will also offer his services as a burn boss for any interested parties. Visit the events page on the District’s website to register for the Prescribed Fire Workshop on Friday, March 3.

Michigan is home to the sixth largest bald eagle population in the United States. Sharing the woodlands and lakes with our nation’s bird is a privilege, and sightings excite residents and visitors alike. While our eagles are awe-inspiring, these raptors are also extremely vulnerable to human activities. Eagles have moved farther from their preferred waterside habitats due to urbanization near rivers and lakes. As a result, less of their diet has come from the water and more of it has been scavenged from the ground level. Consequently, there is an increasingly concerning issue threatening Michigan’s eagle population: lead poisoning.

Lead poisoning is currently the leading cause of bald eagle deaths in the state after vehicular trauma, according to research conducted by US Fish and Wildlife Service and Michigan DNR. Toxic exposure to lead in eagles and other raptors has been correlated with hunting season, as lead-based products

are currently the most commonly used ammunition. When lead bullets are used, that bullet often shatters into fragments inside the animal. Through the ingestion of gut piles or unrecovered carcasses contaminated with spent ammunition, eagles consume deadly amounts of lead whilst scavenging. Even at very low levels of exposure, birds show signs of toxicity including gastrointestinal dysfunction, neurological impairment, paralysis, seizures, and death.

Hunting is a great conservation tool and a beloved recreational pastime, so what can we do to limit the negative impact on our local raptor population next hunting season?

If you hunt, consider switching from leadbased ammunition to copper-based. Additionally, if you enjoy fishing, consider alternatives to lead-based tackle.

Replacing ammunition and tackle may come at an expense, but as demand increases the cost differential continues to drop. If you have the means, spending a few extra dollars seems like a fair price to pay to protect the lives of our local bald eagles.

Nature rehabilitators across the country take in bald eagles suffering from lead poisoning. Some are able to be nursed back

2023 Programs & Events

2023 Programs & Events

2023 TREE SALE ORDER FORM

**Please provide an email address so we can send updates and a reminder

TO PLACE AN ORDER:

Complete this form and mail with payment to:

ORDERS DUE: Oceana Conservation District

PICK UP DATE: 1064 Industrial Park Dr.

April 22, 2023

PICK UP LOCATION: Shelby, MI 49455

March 22, 2023 Oceana Co Fairgrounds

Orders will be filled on a first-come/first serve basis. We will not be responsible for trees not picked up on the assigned date and are not liable for survival after pick up, All sales are final. Thank you for your order!

Or, order online by visiting our website: www.OceanaConservation.org

For more information: (231) 861-5600

... for their efforts to conserve, preserve and protect the land and water so it will continue to serve the needs of future generations.

It has been a privilege and a pleasure to work for the landowners along with the Oceana Conservation District in these conservation practices. We thank you for your patronage of the past and look forward to serving your conservation and other earth moving needs in the future.