Since 2016, the Mid-Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) has been working to increase the capacity to manage invasive species by providing resources and assistance to partner organizations and citizens to prevent, detect, and control invasive species in Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, and Ionia counties. So far, Mid-Michigan CISMA accomplishments include:
 

• CISMA and partner organization treatments (chemical and mechanical) that addressed CISMA-priority species of black swallow-wort, Japanese knotweed, invasive phragmites, and other invasive species of interest by CISMA partners, totaling almost 400 acres, including a full lake treatment for Eurasian watermilfoil
• CISMA education and outreach events and presentations that reached over 9400 people directly, and newsletters, articles, social media, and a billboard campaign reached over 1,118,300 people in total
• Six AIS Mobile Boat Wash/Landing Blitz events held in Ingham, Clinton, and Ionia counties that reached over 150 recreationists about aquatic invasive species and washing 45 boats/canoes
• Three Clean Boats, Clean Waters volunteer training sessions and CBCW online modules that trained 36 people in the program
• CISMA municipal invasive species trainings, with four events that trained 58 participants in 2017 and 84 participants in 2018
• Promotion of statewide programs such as Reduce Invasive Pet and PLant Escapes (RIPPLE), Exotic Aquatic Plant Watch and Eyes on the Forest, as well as national invasive species programs including PlayCleanGo, Backyard Bark Beetles, and Don’t Move Firewood
   
  The Mid-Michigan CISMA has grown to a partnership of over 30 local organizations working together on invasive species issues while promoting sustainability and creating structure for the CISMA. Any organization interested in invasive species management, education, and outreach within the four-county area is invited to become a Mid-Michigan CISMA partner organization. Together, we can spread the word, not the species! Please contact the Regional Invasive Species Coordinator via email to erin.jarvie@macd.org for more information. The Mid-Michigan CISMA is funded in part by the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program through the Departments of Natural Resources, Environmental Quality, and Agriculture and Rural Development.

Ionia Conservation District will be hosting several Household Hazardous Waste Collection dates coming up. They will ALSO take pesticides/herbicides from any Michigan producer at these collection times. They ask that any producer with loads larger than 2 jugs call ahead of time. There will also likely be a clean sweep event  (no household hazardous waste) for agricultural producers in August. Date and time to be announced. Please see below for a list of the currently scheduled collection times.
**Please Note, all collection times take place from 8:00am until Noon**

Ionia                                                               
April 28, 2018
303 S. Jackson St.

Portland
May 5, 2018
Portland Fire Department
733 E. Grand River Ave.

Belding
May 19, 2018
Old Hospital Lot on M-44
408 W. State St.

Ionia
September 22, 2018
303 S. Jackson St.

Free Wildlife and Pollinator Habitat Workshops for Landowners

We will be hosting our annual Wildlife Workshop on Tuesday, March 27       in the basement of our building at 551 Courthouse Drive, Charlotte.
This year's topic covers wildlife and pollinator habitats. Call the office at
(517) 543-1512 x5 to reserve your spot! See below for details.

Landowners looking to attract deer, songbirds, pheasants and pollinators like butterflies onto their property, while improving air, water and soil quality, are invited to attend one of several free workshops about the programs and tools available to help create quality wildlife habitat.
Michigan United Conservation Clubs – along with local conservation districts, Quality Deer Management Association branches, Pheasants Forever chapters, the National Wildlife Federation, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and many other partners – will hold a series of special habitat workshops around the Lower Peninsula this spring about how to plant, manage and fund grassland habitats on private land.
Grassland habitats provide significant value to wildlife and to Michigan citizens. They filter water, collect carbon to help clean the air and hold down soil to prevent erosion. They also provide homes and food for a variety of wildlife, including deer, songbirds, butterflies, turkeys, pheasants and insects like bees and butterflies that help pollinate important agricultural crops.
These workshops are hosted in part by the Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative Coalition. The Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative is a conservation initiative to restore and enhance Michigan pheasant habitat, populations and hunting opportunities on private and public lands via pheasant cooperatives. The initiative works by acquiring state and federal resources to assist landowners in the cooperatives to improve wildlife habitat on their properties and by improving habitat on selected state game areas, recreation areas or other public lands.

ECD will be at the Lansing Home and Garden Show, March 15-18 at the MSU Pavilion. Stop by and see us! Click the image below to receive $2 off your admission!

Come join us for our Pruning and Bramble Workshop!

This workshop will take place Tuesday, March 20 at The Country Mill from 6:00-8:00 pm.

Learn how to care for your fruit trees and berry bushes. This event will be partly outside in the orchard for a demonstration, so please dress for the weather.

This is a free event, but registration is recommended. To register, please call our office at 517-543-1512 x 5 by Friday, March 16. We hope to see you there!

Come see us at Quiet Water!

The Eaton Conservation District will screen well water samples for nitrates and nitrites at this year's Quiet Water Symposium at the MSU Pavilion. This free screening is available for Ingham and Eaton county residents who have private wells for drinking water.

Sampling instructions and Sample Information Form can be downloaded below.

If you have any questions, please call (517) 543-1512 x 5 and speak to Allison Trierweiler, MAEAP Technician.

Well Water Screening Form

Water Sampling Information

The Eaton Conservation District is currently seeking a Statewide Arbor Day and Environmental Outreach Coordinator. This position is responsible for coordinating the State Arbor Day Celebration in Lansing, all programs associated with the Michigan Arbor Day Alliance program, and overseeing the Michigan Water Stewardship Program website. The anticipated start date for this position is approximately March 1, 2018.

Application Deadline: January 31, 2018.

Send cover letter, resume and list of 3 references to: Eaton Conservation District, 551 Courthouse Dr., Ste 3, Charlotte, MI  48813 Attn: Sue Spagnuolo or email sue.spagnuolo@macd.org.

Statewide Arbor Day & Environmental Outreach Coordinator Position Description

If you have any questions about this position, please contact Sue Spagnuolo at 517-543-1512 x 5 or email sue.spagnuolo@macd.org.

The Eaton Conservation District (ECD) is guided by a Board of Directors. In 2018, we will be holding elections for four board positions. Any Eaton County resident over 18 with a passion for our local natural resources is welcome to submit a nominating petition and be on the ballot at our Annual Meeting.

The Annual Meeting and election for the Eaton Conservation District will be held on Thursday, January 25, 2018.
Anyone interested in joining our Board will need to complete a nominating petition and return it to our office by close of business Monday, November 27, 2017. Board members must be prepared to participate in monthly board meetings, direct and promote the mission of the ECD, and participate in planning and executing special events and fundraisers. ECD welcomes individuals from all backgrounds and from every corner of Eaton County.

Nominating positions are available for download below, as well as at the ECD office at 551 Courthouse Dr., Suite 3, Charlotte, MI 48813.

If you have any questions about this process or the positions available, please contact Sue Spagnuolo at sue.spagnuolo@macd.org or call the office at (517) 543-1512 x 5.