Olivet College, in partnership with the Eaton Conservation District (ECD), has received a $16,391 Stream Monitoring Implementation Grant from the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps). The grant will support the newly established Eaton County Collaborative Stream Monitoring Program.
The monitoring program consists of stream sites throughout Eaton County within the Upper Thornapple River watershed, part of the large Grand River watershed that eventually flows to Lake Michigan. Erin Pavloski, assistant professor of environmental science at Olivet College, is excited about the program's future. “Water connects us all – we need clean water and healthy streams to support life. This program helps us collect important data each year and helps raise awareness about water quality. We just held the program's pilot this spring, and being able to host community members as community scientists in the program has been wonderful. Working together at the stream sites has been a great learning experience for all involved.”
Sue Spagnuolo, executive director of ECD, is inspired by the outcome of the pilot program. “This partnership is a wonderful example of ECD’s mission. Bringing together community members and college students is a shining example of ‘promoting and encouraging cooperation with individuals, groups organizations, or agencies in an organized effort to conserve and improve the natural resources in Eaton County.’ I am proud of the students and community scientists who participated in the pilot program and I look forward to seeing this unique partnership grow.”
The annual program samples sites for macroinvertebrates (aquatic larval stage insects and other species) in the Thornapple watershed across Eaton County each spring and fall. The number and variety of macroinvertebrates collected at each site can indicate overall stream health and water quality. The program contributes data to a statewide database that provides important information to conservation districts and other natural resource organizations in watershed planning and management efforts.
The design of the monitoring program focuses on cooperative learning and building relationships between community scientists and students. Through this collaborative structure, the program is designed for ongoing engagement of community scientists and longevity in collecting macroinvertebrate and habitat data throughout the county, and aims to achieve the following goals:

1. Provide new and continuous macroinvertebrate collection and habitat assessment data that will assist in assessing the success of any restoration projects and updating the watershed management plan;
2. Educate and collaboratively engage Eaton County residents, students and other stakeholders in monitoring, upholding quality and protecting water resources; and
3. Identify or verify problem areas where degradation has occurred and where future remediation efforts or best management practices can be implemented.

If you are interested in participating in stream monitoring events through the Eaton County Collaborative Stream Monitoring Program, email Rachel Cuschieri-Murray, Eaton Conservation District environmental outreach coordinator, at rachel.cuschieri-murray@macd.org to be placed on a contact list for future events.
Since 1844, Olivet College continues to strive to provide its students with rewarding educational experiences that will gain them the knowledge and skills for success in their future careers. The college and the natural sciences and mathematics department value cooperative learning experiences, volunteerism, and building partnerships within local communities.   offers biology and environmental science majors and minors, and students will greatly benefit from participation in this collaborative stream monitoring program.
Since 1946, the Eaton Conservation District has been a unique local unit of government that provides natural resource management services, utilizing state, federal and private sector resources to solve today’s conservation challenges. Its services include protecting groundwater, watershed planning, woodland and wildlife improvements, agricultural programming, soil health information, stream bank stabilization, conserving and restoring wetlands, and providing tree seedlings, conservation books and information workshops.
MiCorps was established by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and is administered by Michigan State University, in partnership with the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association and Huron River Watershed Council. To learn more about Olivet College, contact the Office of Admission at 800-456-7189 or admissions@olivetcollege.edu.

The Eaton Conservation District is currently seeking an individual to fill the 'Arbor Day and Environmental Outreach Coordinator' position, which is based in the Charlotte USDA Field Office located in Eaton County, Michigan. This position administers the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Michigan Water Stewardship Program (MWSP) and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) grant funded program the Michigan Arbor Day Alliance (MADA). The Coordinator will be responsible for educating youth and the general public on a range of issues pertaining to our natural resources as well as plan the annual Arbor Day celebration and help with District workshops and events. 
The position is open until filled with a tentative start date of February 15, 2022. Please read full position description and benefits summary below. Please direct all questions to Sue Spagnuolo at eatoncd@macd.org 

​Eaton Conservation District's Annual Meeting will be held Thursday, February 10, 2022, and we will be holding elections to fill two vacancies on the Eaton Conservation District's Board of Directors. The Eaton Conservation District is a local unit of state government as set forth in Public Act 463. This organization is run by a five-member board whose mission is to be your local resource for natural resource management, helping people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment for future generations in Eaton County. Any individual wishing to run for office must complete and submit a nominating petition by Monday, December 13, 2021. Candidates must be at least 18 years old and an Eaton County resident. The position description and nominating petition forms (for both 2 year and 4 year terms) can be found below. Please note that elected board members will be required to attend one board meeting a month, which is held on the last Tuesday of every month at 6 PM in the basement conference room at 551 Courthouse Dr., Suite 3. Charlotte, MI. For more information, you can contact Sue Spagnuolo at eatoncd@macd.org or call 517-543-1512 x5. 
Board Member Position Description

​The Eaton Conservation District is seeking an applicant for an open MAEAP Technician position in the Charlotte USDA Field Office located in Eaton County, Michigan. This position administers the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) MAEAP program in Eaton and Ingham Counties. MAEAP is an innovative, proactive program that helps farms of all sizes and all commodities voluntarily prevent and minimize agricultural pollution risks. This position will be responsible for the delivery of on-farm technical assistance including risk-assessments, coordination of local, state and federal resources to help reduce on-farm risks and assisting producers in making progress towards MAEAP verification.
 
The MAEAP Technician position is funded by an annually-renewed statewide grant program through MDARD. A degree in agriculture-related sciences or natural resources is required and familiarity with Eaton County agricultural practices is very helpful. The candidate should have a good aptitude for customer service, the ability to multitask and be willing to do site visits on farms and woodlots. Ideally, the candidate will be available to begin work in mid-December. Please see full position description below. 
 
To apply, provide a cover letter, resume, copy of transcripts (unofficial is okay) and three references by November 19, 2021. Email your application packet to eatoncd@macd.org with ‘MAEAP Technician application in the subject line. Direct any questions to Eaton Conservation District Executive Director, Sue Spagnuolo, at (517) 543-1512 x 5 or eatoncd@macd.org

​Do you live or own property in the Thornapple River Watershed (see green area on map below)? If so, then you may be eligible to apply for funding to assist in improvements to your property or agricultural operation. The USDA-NRCS recently announced a sign up for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) in the Thornapple River Watershed area, which covers a large portion of Eaton County. If you are interested in soil health practices, grazing practices, wildlife practices or even forestry related practices then this might be the right time to apply and take advantage of this limited funding only available to this watershed. Some of the many practices that are available include: cover crops, nutrient management, no-till, filter strips, grassed waterways, fence, prescribed grazing, livestock waterline, stream crossings, tree plantings, forest management plans, invasive species treatment and many others. If you are interested or have questions about whether your property or farm may qualify, give the Charlotte NRCS office a call at (517) 543-1512 x 3. Applications are currently being accepted from now until November 1st, so don’t wait!

Steve Tennes, owner of the Country Mill and Sue Spagnuolo, Executive Director at ECD will give helpful tips and tricks on how to prune your fruit trees during this virtual workshop. There will also be time for questions. If you would like to pre-register and attend the workshop on zoom, please register below. Please note we are only accepting a maximum of 28 participants on zoom. If you do not receive a zoom registration link that means we have reached capacity on zoom and ask that you head over to our Facebook page to attend the workshop live (no registration required). Thank you!
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/.../tZcsdeGuqjwrE9J7Fujz05u6LRzdK...
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) Technician will be offering free well water screening for Eaton and Ingham county residents on private drinking water wells during tree sale pick-up on Friday, April 17th. The screening will be for nitrates/nitrites only.

When: 8am-5pm: Friday, April 23rd
Where: Kardell Hall, Eaton County Fairgrounds: 1025 S. Cochran Ave. Charlotte, MI 48813
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The Sample Information Sheet must be included with your water sample. The sample information sheet, along with sample collection instructions, can be found below. Please call Allie at the office at (517) 588-6300 if you have any questions.