GTCD 2023 Annual Report

A LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

DearConservationDistrictFriends,

Iamthrilledtoreportthat2023hasbeenayearofgrowthandprogressforour organization.Wehavecontinuedtoprovideeducationalopportunitiesforthe community,includingworkshopsandclassesattheBoardmanRiverNatureCenter.We havealsoworkedtorestorenaturalareas,maintaintrailsandparks,andsupport sustainable,localagriculture.Webelievethatsupportinglocalagricultureisessentialto thehealthofourcommunityandourenvironment,andwearecommittedtocontinuing thiswork

Tohelpsustainourfundraisingefforts,wehaveestablishedanon-profitentitycalled FriendsoftheGrandTraverseConservationDistrictwhichhelpedlaunchthe“Connecting totheFutureCampaign”fortheGreatLakesIncubatorFarm&theOttawayCrossing Footbridge.TheIncubatorFarmprogramhadagreatfirstseason,andwearepoisedto startthesecondcohortofparticipants.Wearealsogearingupforthepublicphaseof ourcampaignfortheOttawayCrossing,afootbridgeontheBoardman-OttawayRiver thatwillprovideaneast-westcrossingwheretheSabinDamformerlystood

Wearegratefulforyourcontinuedsupportanddedicationtoourmission-tolead, facilitateandinspireexploration,appreciation,conservation,andrestorationofour naturalworld Wehavebeenworkingforover80yearstoprovidegatewaystothe naturalworld,restorenaturalareas,trainfuturegenerationsofconservationleaders,and supportsustainable,localagriculture,andwelookforwardtocontinuingourworkinthe yearstocome.Wehopethatyouwilljoinusinoureffortstoprotectandpreserveour naturalworld

Withgratitude,

KoffiKpachavi ExecutiveDirector

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO STEVE LARGENT

CongratulationsandthankyoutoSteveLargent, GrandTraverseConservationDistrict’s ConservationTeamCoordinator!After32yearsof service,Steveretiredthiswinter.

Stevehasbeenanintegralpartofourcommunity since1988whenhestartedworkingfortheCityof TraverseCityasaseasonalemployeewhile attendingtheUniversityofMontana.Hewaslater hiredtoimplementaCriticalAreaTreatmentPlan tocurbsevereerosionatthe1,240-acreparcelof wildlandsurroundingthe191-acreBrownBridge Pond Thatworkledtoathree-decade-long careerhelpingtorestoreandprotectthe Boardman-OttawayRiveranditssurrounding naturalareas.

TheGrandTraverseConservationDistrictis fortunatetohavehadStevehelpshapethe organizationintowhatitistoday,andtheimpact hemadeontheBoardman-OttawayRiver,natural areas,andourcommunityiseverlasting.

Steve’sleadershipwillbemissed,buthisteachings overtheyearshavelefttheorganizationreadyfor theroadahead.CongratulationstoStevefora well-deservedretirement.

CONSERVATION

Foroverthirtyyears,theGrandTraverseConservation District,throughitsParklandsprogram,hasprovided technicalandnaturalresourcemanagementservicesfor localmunicipalitiesandpropertyownersacrossGrand TraverseCounty.Usingsoundlandmanagement practicesandsustainabletrailconstructiontechniques, staffworkdiligentlytoprotecthabitatwhileprovidingsafe accesstonaturalareasthatmakethisregionsospecial. In2023,Districtstaffachievedseveralnoteworthy milestonesmanagingover2,500acresofpublic parklandsintheGrandTraverseregion.

Recreation

OnGrandTraverseCounty’sNaturalEducationReserve, Districtstaffremovedanagingboardwalkalongthelower Sabinlooptrailandreplaceditwithover250ft.ofnewly constructedboardwalkdesignedtoprovideasafecrossing throughwetlandsandseeps.Thisisthefirstofthree boardwalksectionstobereplacedonthewestsideofSabin bottomlandsasplansareunderwaytocontinueupdating agedinfrastructuresin2024.

AttheCityofTraverseCity’sBrownBridgeQuiet Area,Districtstaffdesignedandinstalledacustom fabricatedhandrailtofacilitatesafeaccesson stepsleadingtoBrown’sFootbridge.BrownBridge alsobecamethefirstofninesitesaroundTraverse Cityatwhichanartisticsteelsculpturewas installedinhonorofAnishinaabeculturethrough theKchiWiikwedongAnishinaabeHistoryProject.

AttheJointRecreationalAuthority’s(TheCharter TownshipofGarfield&CityofTraverseCity) HickoryMeadows,staffreroutedandmodified severalsectionsoftrailstoreduceerosionand promotegreatersustainability.Signage developmentandtrailmodificationsarealso underwayatthenewlyacquiredHickoryForest propertyinpreparationofanofficialtrailopening in2024.

In2023,over7,000nativetreesandshrubswereplantedoverthe courseofthegrowingseasonacrosspublicparklandswiththehelp ofcontractors,volunteers,andlocalstudents.Theestablishmentof nativeplantsnotonlyprovidesshelterandfoodforwildlife,butit alsoincreasestheabsorptionofcarboninouratmosphere counteringtheeffectsofatrendingwarmingclimate.Inaddition, rootshelpstabilizesoilsandenhancestormwateruptake,thereby reducingthepotentialforerosion,surfacerun-off,and sedimentation.Excessiveinputofsedimentintoourwaterwayscan chokeoutgravelspawningbedsthatarevitalforthereproduction ofmanycold-waterfishspeciesthattheBoardman-OttawayRiver isknownfor.

Ofthat7,000,approximately5,000nativetreesandshrubswere plantedalongtheBoardman-OttawayRivertocontinuerestoration effortswithintheexposedbottomlandsaftertheremovalofBrown Bridge(2012),Boardman(2017),andSabin(2018)Dams.

Consideredthelargestdamremovalandriverrestorationprojectin statehistory,over70,000treesandshrubshavebeenplantedsince restorationprocessbeganin2013.Asnaturalplantsuccession evolveswithintheopenbottomlands,itiscriticaltofosterthe establishmentofnativeplantswhilecontrollinghighpriorityinvasive species.

Invasivespeciestendtobeearlycolonizersondisturbedsitesand formmonoculturesthatcrowdoutandsuppressnativeplant growth.Controllinghighpriorityinvasivesisanintegralcomponent inthemanagementofhealthyanddiversehabitats.Districtstaff collaboratewithpartnersattheNorthwestMichiganInvasive SpeciesNetworktoprioritizetreatmentsitesforhighlyinvasive speciesacrossourmanagedparklands.

7,000

5,000

total native trees & shrubs were planted across public parklands in 2023 of the total 7,000 native trees & shrubs were planted along the BoardmanOttaway River in this year

70,000+

native trees & shrubs have been planted since restoration efforts began in 2013 1,000+ volunteer hours were recorded in 2023 on restoration efforts within our managed parklands

Engagement

In2023,over1,000volunteerhourswererecordedonrestorationeffortswithinourmanagedparklandswithapproximately200 volunteersassistingatmultipleDistrict-ledworkbeeevents.Inaddition,Districtstaffworkedwitheducatorsacrossthe communitytofacilitateenvironmentalstewardshipopportunitiesforstudents.GreenspireHighSchoolstudentsplanted approximately400nativeseedlingsatMedalieParkandaidedintheremovalofinvasivespeciesinsupportofwildlifehabitat, groundwateruptake,andshorelinestabilization.TheAuSableInstitute’sRestorationEcologyforYoungStudentsProgram hostedmultipleschoolgroupsatBrownBridgeQuietAreawheretheyplantednativegrassandpollinatorplugstoenhance speciesdiversityalongthebanksoftheBoardman-OttawayRiver.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

GrandTraverseConservationDistrict

EnvironmentalEducationprogrammingprovidesa gatewaytothenaturalworldtochildren,families, andadults.Infacilitatingtheexplorationand studyoftheoutdoors,Districtprogrammingseeks toempowerindividualstoplayapersonalrolein environmentalstewardshipandinspirefuture generationsofconservationleaders.In2023,the GrandTraverseConservationDistrictofferedthe followingprogramming:

Weeklyadult-accompaniedprograms

Weeklydrop-offprograms

NatureEducationforStudentsandTeachers (NEST)fieldtripprogramming

Communityprogrammingforallages (workshops,hikes,etc.)

NatureDayCamp(summercamp programming)

13,000 people visited the Boardman River Nature Center or attended District events in 2023

2,200 students, teachers, and staff visited from 27 schools and organizations during NEST Field Trips

Since2008,theGrandTraverseConservationDistrict haswelcomedover121,000visitorstotheBoardman RiverNatureCenter,includingover13,000children, families,communitymembers,andschoolgroupsin 2023,ourmostsuccessfulyeartodate.Ofthose 13,000visitors,2200+students,teachers,and assistantsvisitedfrom27schoolsandorganizations20%ofallTCAPSstudentsvisitedtheDistrictin2023. Overthepastyear,MirandaFraleyandAspen SchupbachhavefilledPaigeMacKinnon’sandRachel Blevin’sshoesasournewEducationSpecialistand EnvironmentalEducator,respectively.BothMiranda andAspenlookforwardtodeliveringcreative programmingopportunitiesandimpactful experiencesthatconnectthecommunitywiththe naturalworld.MirandaandAspenhavealready welcomedover4,200visitorsthroughtheir programming.

Reflections from a 2023 Nature Day Camp Parent:

“Thank you so very much for hosting a wonderful day camp! Our camper is sad to be finished for this year but is excited to return next summer! We are thrilled to have participated in Nature Day Camp. For our camper, you have fostered an appreciation for nature and fueled a love of being outdoors. Our kiddo gets home from camp and plays in the dirt in our backyard! Her screen time is down dramatically compared to last summer, and we have Nature Day Camp to thank. Well done!”

AGRICULTURE

Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program

TheGrandTraverseConservationDistrictworkshand-in-hand withover100localfarmerstoconserveournaturalresourceswhile providingforhealthy,safe,high-qualityagriculturalproducts throughtheMichiganAgricultureEnvironmentalAssurance Program(MAEAP).MAEAPisaninnovative,proactiveprogram thathelpsfarmsofallsizesandcommoditiespreventorminimize agriculturalpollutionrisks.

Thisvoluntaryverificationprogramhelpsfarmsbecome compliantwithrelevantstateandfederalenvironmentallawsand regulations,aswellasalignwiththeRight-to-FarmGenerally AcceptedAgriculturalandManagementPractices.

LaurenShaffnerjoinedtheGrandTraverseConservationDistrictas thenewMAEAPTechnicianinNovemberof2023.

LaurengrewuponafamilyfarminSaginaw,Michiganwhereshe workedwithherfamilytocultivatethousandsofacresofland.

LaurenpursuedanenvironmentalsustainabilitydegreeatMichigan StateUniversitywhichpiquedherinterestinatypicalfarming methods.InherfirstfewmonthsastheMAEAPTechnicianatthe District,LaurenconnectedwiththeGrandTraversecommunityby attendingeducationalconferencesandlearningaboutwhatit meanstobeafarmerinNorthernMichigan.

LaurenattendedthePollinate2023conference whichherpredecessor,SamWolfe,wasanintegral partoforganizingandlearnedaboutthe agriculturallandscapeinthisregion.InDecember, sheattendedtheMichiganAssociationof ConservationDistrictsConferencewhichgaveher theopportunitytolearnfrompeersandsetgoals forthefirstyearonthejob-thisincludes verifications,continuingsuccessfulpesticide containerandtirerecyclingevents,andbecominga dependableresourceforfarmers.Laurenislooking forwardtocreatingfoundationalrelationshipswith farmers.WithLauren’slifelongbackgroundin agricultureandherextensiveagriculturaleducation, sheiswell-equippedtoservethefarmersofGrand TraverseandAntrimcountieswhilekeeping sustainabilityattheforefrontofherwork.

Produce Safety

ProduceSafetymayseemtobeoutofplaceinconservation districts,however,healthandagricultureareintertwined. ProduceSafetyisabranchoffoodsafety,butproducesafety doesn’ttakeplaceinindustrialkitchensorintensively monitoredprocessingfacilities-producesafetytakesplace onfarms.

TheProduceSafetyRule(PSR)wassignedintolawin2011as acomponentoftheFoodSafetyModernizationActandwas intendedtoswitchthefocusfromreactivetoproactive. Previously,inspectorsprimarilyreactedtooutbreaksvia investigationsafteroutbreakswerereported,anditwasnot requiredtohaverecurringinspectionsofproduceoperations. Thisisinstarkcontrasttofoodandretaillicensing,whichboth requireannualinspectionsbyhealthinspectors.Raw consumedproduceisarguablyahigherriskthancooked foodservedatarestaurant,becauseconsumersofteneat thefruitsandvegetablesraw.Cookingorprocessingarethe primarymethodstoreducethelikelihoodofillnessifthereare invisiblecontaminantspresentontheproduce.

Thepossibilityofcontaminatingrawconsumed produceneedstobeproactivelymonitored. Producegrownonfarmsisgrownmostoften outdoorswhichmakesfullyeliminating contaminationhazardsanalmostimpossible task.ThePSRisawareofthedifficultiesinvolved inpreventingcontaminationofproduce,whichis whytheruleemphasizesriskassessmentand hazardanalysis.Farmsarenotexpectedtofit intoperfectnarrowboxes,asafarminMichigan looksdifferentfromafarminArizona.Farm operationsareencouragedtomaintainproduce safetytotheirbestabilities.

TheGrandTraverseConservationDistrict’s ProduceSafetyTechnicianBreannaHannula providesfreeon-farmeducationandresources toproducegrowersofanysizetoaidthemin navigatingtheProduceSafetyRule,orsimplyto achievegreaterstandardsofproducesafety. Throughouttheyear,Breannaattended conferences,presentedtogrowers,and promotedtheMichiganOn-FarmProduceSafety Program.Thisprogramisacollaboration betweenMichiganconservationdistricts, MichiganStateUniversityExtension,and MichiganDepartmentofAgricultureandRural Developmentwhoallworktogethertomake producesafetyasaccessibleandeasyto understandaspossible.

Great Lakes Incubator Farm

AcrosstheriverfromtheBoardmanRiver NatureCenteristhesiteofGTCD’snewest program–TheGreatLakesIncubatorFarm. LocatedonGrandTraverseCounty'shistoric MeyerFarmproperty,theGreatLakes IncubatorFarmisanactiveland-based agriculturalprogramthatfostersthegrowth anddevelopmentofnewandbeginning farmersinNorthwestLowerMichigan.

Theprogramlowerscommonbarriersthat typicallydeterindividualsfromstartinga farmingoperationbygivingthemthe opportunityandflexibilitytocreatean agriculturalbusinessandgainexpertiseas theygrow.Bycultivatingnewproducersin thisregion,theprogramaimsto:aidinthe successionoflocalfarmland,createalocal farmingmodelbasedonprinciplesof regenerativeagriculture,buildresiliencein ourlocalfoodeconomies,andcreatea lastingcultureofhealthandwellness.

Overthelastyear,theGreatLakesIncubatorFarmsawsignificant achievementsinpropertyandinfrastructuredevelopment,program establishment,andsustainablefarmingpractices.LedbyDistrictstaff andvolunteers,theGrandTraverseConservationDistrictinstalledawell, an8ft.deerfencetokeepcropssafe,a30x96ft.Nor’Easterhoop housetoextendthegrowingseason,aroot-vegetablewasher,anda roadsign,allofwhichsignificantlyimprovethefarm’scapabilities.Staff alsodesignedandbuilta3-tierednurserygrowingsystemthatthefirst cohortoffarmersutilizedforpropagatingmanyofthecropsthatwere grownatthefarm.Additionally,variouslandmanagementpractices havebeensuccessfullyimplemented,includingtheexpansionofa pollinatorgardenplantedbyhighschoolstudentsfromtheNorthWest EducationCareerTechCenter,covercroppingtheagriculturalfields, conductingsurveysofthepond,andrestoringtractorsandequipment donatedbytheMeyerFamily,toenhancethesustainabilityof operations.

Programdevelopmenteffortsyieldedpositive results,astheDistrictrecruitedandretainedfive farmersinthefirstyearofthisprogram. Moreover,theDistrictisactivelyengagedin recruitinganothercohortoffivefarmersforthe secondyear.Toensurethesuccessofthe farmersintheprogram,over70hoursof extensiveeducationandtrainingwereprovided totheteamoffarmers,includingsevenhoursof lessonsandlectures,fourhoursofbusiness developmenttraining,30hoursoffield productioneducation,21hoursoftours, conferences,andworkshops,andeighthoursof farmvisitsandtours.Thiscomprehensive approachaimstoequipthecohortwiththe necessaryskillsandknowledgetothrivein sustainableagriculture.

InlinewiththeDistrict’scommitmentto sustainablepractices,farmerssuccessfully adheredtoorganicfarmingpracticesfor vegetables,flowers,andherbs.Furthermore, farmerslearnedtheimportanceofregenerative practicessuchasbroadforks,no-tilldrillfor covercropping,andincorporatingbiocharand organicamendmentstoenhancesoilhealth andecosystemresilience.Theseeffortsare integraltotheDistrict’smissionofpromoting sustainableagricultureandreducing agriculture’simpactontheenvironment.

TheGrandTraverseConservationDistrictis honoredtobeapartofagrowingnetworkof partnershipsandcollaborationswith organizationssuchasTheFatherFred Foundation,acharityhelpingtosupportlocal foodsystems.Additionally,partnershipswith InterlochenCenterfortheArts,theMichigan SmallBusinessDevelopmentCenter,MSU Extension,theGrandTraverseRegionalLand Conservancy,LarryDyerofHolistic ManagementInternational,andNicWelty, ownerof9BeanRows,havebeeninstrumental inadvancingtheGreatLakesIncubatorFarm’s initiativesandexpandingitsreach.

Lookingahead,throughtheGreatLakes IncubatorFarm,theDistrictremainsdedicated tocontributingtoamoresustainableand resilientagriculturalsector.

FORESTRY

TheForestryAssistanceProgramoftheGrand Traverse,Leelanau,andBenzieConservationDistricts providesin-officeandon-sitetechnicalassistanceto landownersatnocharge.Thisprogramprovidesthe followingservicestotheseDistricts:

Identificationofforestdiseasesandinsects,and theircontroloptions

Adviceontheselectionandplantingoftreesand shrubsforreforestation,windbreaks,andwildlife habitatenhancement

Informationonstateandfederalforestrycostshareandpropertytaxincentiveprograms

Recommendationsforimprovingwoodlotsfor timberproduction,wildlifehabitat,orrecreation

EllieJohnsonfinisheduphersecondyearasDistrict ForesterforGrandTraverse,Leelanau,andBenzie counties.Servingasafreeresourceforprivate landowners,Ellieofferstechnicalassistancesuchas one-on-onesitevisitswithforestownersinadditionto conductingeducationaleventsforthecommunity.This pastfiscalyear,Ellieconducted166uniquesitevisits withlandownerswhocollectivelyown5,583acresof northwestMichigan’swoodlands.55ofthosevisitswere withinGrandTraverseCountyandincluded2,213acres ofnortherndryhardwoods,cedarswamps,inlandlake shorelines,andopenfields.Shealsohad141follow-up contactswithlandownersaspartofongoingprojects fromtheprioryear.Assistancerangesfromoakwilt andhemlockwoollyadelgidconcernstoreforestation practicesandsongbirdhabitat.

Withthehelpofnumerouslocalpartners,Ellie conducted48educationaleventswhereshe connectedwith1,066attendees.Theseeventsvariedin audienceandtopic,withsomegearedtowardsthe generalpublicwhileotherswerefocusedonsupporting naturalresourceprofessionals. Throughouttheyear,shemetwithgardenclubs concernedabouttreehealth,guidedhikesontree identificationandforestmanagement,andhosted multiplewebinars,includingthepopularWinterWebinar series.Thisyear,Elliealsoheldherfirstfielddayata privatelandowner’sproperty,aWomenOwning Woodlandsworkshopwithmultipleguestspeakersand passionateattendees.

ElliewasawardedConservationTechnicianoftheYearbythe ConservationDistrictEmployeesofMichigan(CDEM)atlast December’sMichiganAssociationofConservationDistricts’ (MACD)FallConvention.ShealsoservedasMichiganSocietyof AmericanForesters(MSAF)SecretaryandrepresentedMichigan’s chapterintheHouseSocietyDelegatesmeetingatthenational conventionheldinSacramentothispastOctober,voicingthe concernsandideasoftheorganization’s300+members.With MSAFleadershipsupport,Elliecreatedamentorshipprogram betweenmembersandstudentchapterstoencouragemore connectionbetweencurrentandfutureforesters.Shewas featuredinarticlespublishedbyMichiganForestAssociation’s quarterlynewsletterMichiganForests,NationalAssociationof ConservationDistrict’s(NACD)ForestryNotespublications,and localmediaoutletslikeNorthernExpress,Record-Eagle,Leelanau Enterprise,andMLive,andwasaspecialguestalongsidecertified arboristBoBurkeonWTCM’sVicMcCarty’sShowthispast summer.

NORTHWEST MICHIGAN INVASIVE SPECIES NETWORK

AfterestablishingandgrowingwiththeGrandTraverse ConservationDistrictforovertenyears,theNorthwestMichigan InvasiveSpeciesNetwork(ISN)becameanonprofitin2023.ISN receivedtheir501(c)3statusfromtheIRSinthespringand becameafullyindependentorganizationbytheendofthe year. ISNalsohaditsfirstdetectionofhemlockwoollyadelgid (HWA)inFrankfortthispastyear.Thismicroscopicinvasive insectfindsitselfaplaceatthebaseofahemlockneedle, whereitcaninsertasuckermouthpieceandstealnutrients fromthetree.Aprolificspreader,ittakesabout5–10yearsto causedeathinahemlock,however,thisallowstimefor treatments.PartnersfromMason-LakeConservationDistrict journeyednorth,wheretheyhelpedISNconductdetailed surveysandtreatmentsthroughouttheyearinattemptsto containthisinfestation,alongwithnumerousother organizationsinatruetestamentofworkingacross boundaries.

*HWAmetricsarerecordedas“inchestreated,”whichrefersto thediameteratbreastheight(DBH)ofeachtreethatistreated.

BytheendofSeptember2023,Mason-Lake,ISN,andotherpartnershad treatedover7,000hemlocksintheimmediateinfestationarea. Unfortunately,sincethatfirstdetection,severalmoredetectionshave beendiscoveredintheFrankfortarea.Itssuspectedthatalargevehicle mayhavebroughttheoriginalinfestationintoCrystalDownsbybrushing againstahemlockoverhangingtheroad,afterbrushingagainstan infestedhemlockelsewhere.ISNisaskingthatlandowners,especiallyin theFrankfortarea,keepaneyeoutforHWA

Additionally,ISNsGoBeyondBeautyprogramgained12newcommunity participantsand1newNursery.ISNalsohadtheirmostsuccessful JapaneseBarberryTrade-UpDayswhere683invasivebarberrieswere tradedinforcouponstoparticipatingGoBeyondBeautybusinessesover threeeventsinBenzie,GrandTraverse,andManisteecounties-double theamountcollectedin2022.

ShellyStusick,GoBeyondBeautySpecialist,conductedandattended manyeventsthroughouttheyearasaspeaker,includingtheNativePlant ExpoinAnnArborthispastJunewithover2,000attendees.Someother notablemomentsin2023wereherNotMISpecieswebinar(offeredby EGLE)andtwoMLivearticleshighlightingormentioningGoBeyond Beauty.

Statewide,twoofficialpartnershipsweresolidified,creatingtwonewGo BeyondBeautyHubs–CentralMichiganCooperativeInvasiveSpecies ManagementArea(CISMA)andCharlevoix,Antrim,Kalkaska,andEmmet CountiesCISMA.Withthisachievement,GoBeyondBeautyisnowoffered in15Michigancounties.

Ifyoususpectyou’veseenHWA,pleasecontactISN’sInvasiveSpeciesSpecialist,Zach Seguinatzseguin@habitatmatters.org.

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS

Over65GreenspireHighSchoolstudentsvolunteeredapproximately195total servicehoursatMedalieParktoremoveinvasivespeciesandplantnative seedlingsalongtheshorelinetohelprestorethenaturalnativebufferby stabilizingbanks,improvingstormwateruptake,andcreatinghealthyhabitatfor wildlife.

Asmallgroupofsixhardworkingvolunteerscontributedover20hourstohelp constructboardwalkpodsandcutdeckboardsforthereplacementofa dilapidatedboardwalkslatedforreplacementontheNaturalEducation Reserve.

Over30volunteerscelebratedEarthDaybyplantingnativetreesandshrubs whichwillprovidegreatershaderelief,wateruptake,andsoilstabilizationas partofrestorationeffortswithintheBoardman-OttawayRivervalley,equating toover120hoursofvolunteertime

OurConservationTeamcollaboratedwithTraverseCityLightandPowerona volunteercommunityplantingworkbeealongtheGroveStreetutilitycorridorat whichapproximately20volunteersparticipatedandnearly600nativeshrubs wereplanted

TheAuSableInstituteofEnvironmentalStudiescoordinatedthreedaysof environmentalstewardshipthroughtheirRestorationEcologyforYoung Students(REYS)programbyplanting1,500nativewildflowersandgrasses withinBrownBridgeQuietAreaalongtheBoardman-OttawayRiver.

OurfriendsattheBoardmanRiverCleanSweep(BRCS)assistedDistrictstaff byhelpingremovedocksectionswithintheBoardman-OttawayRiverthathad washedawayfromupstreampropertiesfollowingmajorrains Fivedock sectionswereusedattheDNRrecyclingsite.

AsmallvolunteergroupfromSEEDsassistedDistrictstaffintheremovalofan oldboardwalkwithintheRecAuthoritypropertyattheHistoricBarnsPark.With theirhelp,150ft.ofboardwalkwasremovedinjusthalfaday.

FriendsandNordicvolunteersofHickoryMeadowspreppedforwintergroomed trailsbyhelpingstaffprunetreelimbsalongtheflaggedtrailandassistingwith mowingapathforthesnowgroomer

13MSUstudentshelpedhaulawaythousandsofpoundsofoldboardwalklumber fromapreexistingboardwalklocatedontheNaturalEducationReserveinanarea withdifficultequipmentaccess

AtHickoryMeadows,fivevolunteerscontributedover30hoursbyhelpingwater newlyplantedtreesduringperiodsofsummerdrought.Thenativetreeswere plantedtohelpcreateanaturalvegetationbufferbetweentheHickoryMeadows trailsandtheHickoryHillsparkinglot.

TheBoardmanRiverNatureCentersnativedemonstrationgardenswere maintainedbyeightvolunteerscontributingatotalof51.5hoursoveraspanof12 workbeeevents Thedemonstrationgardensshowcaseourregion’snativeplants andpollinatorswhileprovidinglandscapinglearningopportunitiesthroughthe designandmaintenanceofthesenativebeds

TheTrailStewardProgramprovidedthepublicanopportunitytomaintainand monitoralloftheparklandsunderthemanagementumbrellaoftheGrand TraverseConservationDistrict.TheDistrictappreciatesallthetimeandeffortput intothetrailstocreateasafeandenjoyablerecreationalexperienceforall

InthemonthofOctober,theDistrictheldtwoplantingeventsatBrownBridgeQuiet Area.With36attendeesthefirstdaydedicatingover130hoursand39attendees ontheseconddaywithover140hours,thesevolunteersworkedhardtohelp restorethebanksoftheBoardman-OttawayRiver.

DuringMother’sDayweekend,approximately20volunteersassistedinplanting seedlingsandpullinginvasivegarlicmustardacrossHickoryMeadowsproperty. Thesededicatedvolunteersputinover50hourstomaketherecreational experienceatHickoryMeadowsmoreenjoyableforfuturegenerations.

TheannualJimVaneenenaamMemorialOutingatEastCreekReservebroughtin sixvolunteers,includingthreeRotarians,tohelpinstallanewgateandseveraltrail markingposts,disposeofolddilapidatedfencingandmakeimprovementstothe creekcrossingportionoftheShore-to-Shoreequestriantrailthattraversesthrough theproperty

25volunteersspentover16hoursonsomeofthehottestdaysoftheyearhelping staffconstructa30x96ftNor’Easterhoophousetoextendthegrowingseasonat theGreatLakesIncubatorFarm

30volunteersassistedwithhikesandactivitiesforourNatureEducationforStudentsand Teachers(NEST)fieldtripprograms-43schoolsand2,445studentsvisitedtheBoardman RiverNatureCenterandGreatLakesIncubatorFarmfortheseprograms.

15volunteersassistedwithourlargestNESTprogramto-datewheretheywelcomed551 students,teachers,chaperones,andschoolstafffromLongLakeElementarySchool.

12volunteersassistedwithoursecondlargestNESTprogramto-datewheretheyworked with228students,teachers,chaperonesandschoolstafffromClagueMiddleSchoolofAnn Arbor,Michigan.

13volunteerorganizationsandresourceprofessionalsassistedwithnewlypilotedcamp experiencesaspartofNatureDayCampprogramming.Thesevolunteersspoketo camperseachweekabouttheworktheydo

EducationvolunteerJoshJacobsonassistedwithtwolanternlithikesandfiveNESTfield tripsprogramsthroughouttheyear.

VolunteersLauraandSheilaconsistentlyjoinedstaffinassistingwithPeepersprogramsin 2023.

TwovolunteersdedicatedfulldaysinJuneandOctobertocollectinvertebratedatafrom GrasshopperCreekatBrownBridgeQuietAreatohelpdetermineandmonitorwaterquality levelsoftheBoardman-Ottawaytributary.

17volunteerscontributedover50hoursoftimeduringour2023NativePlantSalewhereover 2,000nativeplantsweresoldtothecommunity.

Over30volunteersdedicatedover160hourspackingnativebare-roottreeandshrub seedlingsduringourAnnualNativeSeedlingSale

OurdedicateddocentsvolunteeredhundredsofhoursstaffingtheBoardmanRiverNature Center.AveryspecialthankyoutoChrisDeyo,DonFlegel,SusanGalligan,PhilJarvi,Marcella Massa,MaryBethSellers,LoriThorpe,andKathieWiley,

PhilJarvidedicated91hoursofvolunteertimethroughouttheyear.

TheGrandTraverseConservationDistrictextendsaspecial“ThankYou”toourdedicatedBoard Members:AndyBlodgett,AshleyDrake,JanEngle,DougLeonhardt,JacquelineOlson,Dario Primo,andDr.ThomasWertz

YOUR INVESTMENT

Income Expenses

THANK YOU, DONORS AND CONTRIBUTING FOUNDATIONS & PARTNERS

October2022-December2023

Giftsof$20,000ormore

GrandTraverseBandofOttawa& ChippewaIndians

GrandTraverseRegionalCommunity Foundation

TheCarlA.LemcoolMemorialFoundation

TheOlesonFoundation

PaulTousley

USDepartmentofAgriculture

Giftsof$10,000-$19,999

Anonymous

HarveyCalcutt

Donald&MarylouCoe

GrandTraverseFruitGrowersCouncil

JudithGroleau

Michael&AnneGroleau

TraverseCityTrackClub

Giftsof$5,000-$9,999

BeersFamilyFoundation

Mack&LorraineBeers

AugustA.BuschIIICharitableTrust

ConsumersEnergy

TheFriendlyGardenClubofTraverse City

Paul&LoryUtz

Giftsof$2,500-$4,999

DTEEnergy

MichiganStateUniversity-Volunteer

RiverClean-UpProgram

TraverseCityTourism

SharonVance

Giftsof$1,000-$2,499

AndersonFamilyCharitableFund

EarthenAles

Kenneth&JanetEngle

MichaelFoley

GreatLakesForgeInc

JamesHeffner&DonnaHagan

KeepMichiganBeautifulFoundation

David&JaneLawrence

DavidMathews

NorthWestMichiganFarmBureau

MikeSchaeffer&DebbyPage

Michael&BarbaraRodenberg

TheArt&MarySchmuckalFamily Foundation

Tom'sFoodMarkets

JackWilliams

Giftsof$500-$999

Anonymous

BairdFoundation,Inc.

RebeccaBaker

BrianBlood

John&LynnCollins

MartinEasling

JeffGraft

HarveysFoundation

Stephen&SummerHennessy

JaneMaddox&JimHopfensperger

SuzetteHoxie

Dr.Patrick&MaryKelly

TraceyLev-Ary

PegLutz&PaulSinger

MarkMaddox&SarahSutton

OrderoftheEasternStar-Traverse

BayAreaChapter147

KarlPearson

GraceRudd

MarieSchwartz

HeatherShaw

RebeccaTeahen&BenPurdy

MartiVanEenenaam-IwanickiandTom Iwanicki

KarenWachs

Larry&JamieWarbasse

Giftsof$1-$499

Anonymous(8)

Peter&BernadetteAlbers

EdwardCrippen&FrancesAlfs

Dean&SeanAnagnost

JuliaAnderson

JudithA.Arnold

GloryAnnAslin

Richard&PatriciaAustin

Anna&JohnBachman

CharlesBaird

AndreaBallast

JohnBaylor

KerieBeadleston

KimBeckham

WilliamJ.BialkowskiGiftFund

NancyBirnie-Visscher

AdamBlair

Tim&CherylBloomquist

Carol&ChristopherBlouch

DanielleBond

NadiaBraidwood

RichardBrauer

Eric&JuliaBraverman

Dr.&Mrs.JohnBrewster

SallyBrooks

William&TheresaBrown

Jim&BarbaraBurkholder

Scrub&BetsyCalcutt

TeresaCancel

MeliaCarter

DanCasey

MattChapman

Terry&JosephineClark

Ann“Sam”Clark

Jerilyn&JohnCleverdon

Donald&NancyClover

DanieleCobb

ThomasCompson

JeffreyCook

HollyCouturier

SuzanneCox

ElsieDakota

ThomasDayton

AllenDecker

LauraDeGabriele

THANK YOU, DONORS AND CONTRIBUTING FOUNDATIONS

& PARTNERS

October2022-December2023

LoisDockery

CaroleDonaldson

DaleDownes

Paula&BryceDreeszen

AutumnDroste

PaulDugan

RogerEdgren

Joe&SherylElliott

Gregory&NancyFazzoni

JoanFeather

DennisFedorinchik

LynnFellows-Lyon

JulieFernandez

Robert&MarleneFlannery

Scott&CynthiaFochtman

RobertForsman

FourSeasonNursery

NormFred

SteveFritz

Joel&LucilleGaff

Larry&DebraGalehouse

JanetGarvey&JackMaddox

PiperGills

CynthiaGlinesMD&RobertM HallMD

KenandPeggyGodin

WesGoff

WilliamGottlin

Gourdie-Fraser,Inc

DeboraGraffius

GrandTraverseAreaRetiredSchool

Personnel

GrandTraverseAudubonClub

DaveGreen

MaryGriffin

JustineGroesser

Dan&JudithGuith

SueHaadsma-Svensson

BobbiHarding

Michael&JeanneHaynes

TeriHedrich&AlStachel

NicoleHendricks

PattyHersberger

Tom&RitaHiggins

HilbertsHoneybees,Inc.

HollyHillyer

HollyHinds

Miriam&DaveHinske

HeatherHoffman

StevenHoll

Mark&YvonneHoltz|

Raymond&ElizabethHucek

LauraHuerta

ChristopherHughes

AllisonHunter

JohnHunter

Kathleen&ThomasHy

Debra&PierreIngold

Mark&DebJackson

Lynn&GaryJacobson

Paul&LauraJacobson

Dave&MaryJankowski

LauraJaquish

AliKamal

John&ConnieKerns

John&BrendaKerridge

Brian&StacyKinney

JayneKirn

MeraJettonKohler

PhilipKoro

CarltonKorzeniowski

RonaldKovacs

KoffiKpachavi

WalterKraimer

Charles&JudithKraus

JeffKroeger

Mike&JanetKronk

Chris&JillKuebler

JimKure&KarenSmith-Kure

Steve&SharonLargent

Deb&RussLarimer

SherryLark

EileenLarsen

AngelaLashaway

MarilynLatterman

ChristineLee

MarkLee

JohnLeon

DougLeonhardt

LinkEngineering

Brian&DianeLirones

JillianManning

MikeMarsh

ChrisMartin

Jeffrey&MaryMazure

DennisMcCauley

MollyMcCombs

DaveMengebier

LizMessing

DawnMikolajczyk

MaryMiller

MaryMintz

MaryBeth&HughMorrison

KellyMorrow

JeffreyMorton

RaymondMudryk

Richard&SondraNordin

AndrewOlsen

OptionsForWomen&Men

OryanaNaturalFoods

OtwellMawby,P.C.

AnnaPaddock

MarkPagel

HaliePapcun

RobertParker

Joseph"Mark"Parsons

JenniferPatino

SusanPemberton

JohnPeppler

HelenPerry

THANK YOU, DONORS AND CONTRIBUTING FOUNDATIONS

& PARTNERS

October2022-December2023

Mary"Monnie"Peters

MaggiePetersen

HeatherPeyton

MelissaPieterse

SamuelPine

JenniferPiwowarski

Tom&LizPoisson

Chris&AnnPorter

Tom&AnnPost

KathleenPrimo

PatrickRay

RobertReider&SusanMcCraven

Phil&JoanRichardson

DaniaRich-Spencer

Kathleen&JamesRickard

Jim&RitaRobinson

Bill&KarenRosa

MatthewRoss

JeffRundio

BettyRutila

Cindy&RickSack

FrancineSandell

Britt&AliciaSanford

S Sargent

EdnaSargent

John&MargaretSargent

DeborahSchankler

JamesSchmuckal

RobertScholz

Art&KarenSchwarm

KatieScott

AmyScott

SharonScranton

Chris&AnitaScussel

LibbyShapiro

PatriciaSharpnack

PeterShearn

Ron&JaneShoup

CarolSilverman

Robert&AnneSkoff

MichaelSmith

Dr.Ann&Dr.MarkSmith

EvanSmith

DougSpence

Jim&KelliSpencer

Thomas&EugeniaSteel

KathySteen

SethStein

AnnStephens

LynnStephenson

IreneStibitz

AndreaStoecker

William&RobbinStott

Bob&RuthStow

MollyStretten

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JeffreySzczepanski

ElizabethTaylor

KellyTaylor

George&SallyThompson

LoriThorpe

Sally&PaulTon

LaurenTribleLaucht

Nancy&DavidTucker

SaraTucker

TwinBayLandscaping

SarahVanderkleed

VillageMarketFoodCenters

KarenViskochil

ShirlWaclawski

ReoWallace-Hoffelt

JamesWarren

MichaelWells

ElenaJ.Wentz

Dr.ThomasWertz

DavidWetherholt

WendyWhitfield

Joe&MichelleWill

K Willey

BonnieWillings

KerryWinkler

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ErinWood

Marcia&PhilWright

John&JanetWyrwas

John&MarylouZaloudek

Ronald&JeriZawlocki

BrianZimmerman

SueZoll

HONORARIUMS

Giftsweremadetohonorthenames showninbold

Joe&SherylElliott

HannahElliott

Jim&DianaHuckle

Kent&NancyWalton

SteveLargent

KarenFranseen

AnnRogers

ThePelsFamily

AmyDarrow

John,Leah,andMacieRobinson

MariDawley

Chris&AnitaScussel

Anonymous

EvelynTalbot

LisaZigarmi

THANK YOU, DONORS AND CONTRIBUTING FOUNDATIONS & PARTNERS

October2022-December2023

MEMORIALS

Giftsweremadeinmemory ofthenamesshowninbold

RogerBloom

CarlaBloom

Dr.BeatriceBrenton

MichaelBrenton

MaxBromley

SandraBromley

Doug&JoyEnsor

JeanRokos

BillBuchbinder

CheriBuchbinder

DavidBump

AndrewBump

WilliamBusbySr.

CharlotteBusby

BenBushongJr.

AliceBushong

WallyChappel

RebeccaTeahen&BenPurdy

DorothyCinader

KathyBalchunas

MaxEckert

KeetaBeaubien

DebraFrick

DeanFrick

SteveGillman

MichaelGillman

JohnHeiam&LoisGoldstein

SaraCockrell

DaveHicks

Bill&SandyCartwright

JudyHicks

Robert"Bob"Hoxie

JimGourley

James&VirginiaHoffa

SuzetteHoxie

Chet&JaneJanik

KarenKirt

LeelanauCountyBuildingSafety

RonandPattiRobinson

KristinStuedemann

GordonHughes

KathyHughes

Dr.ArnoldKomisar

MarcellaMassa

KennKrause

Chris&NancySteele

DanielOlson

Jack&CarolOlson

JimPorter

PatriciaBauer

JackRobbins

DeborahAllen

Anonymous

JoannAvery

LoisBahle

Denise&ElizabethBarkdoll

MIkeBorkovich

Pete&ConstanceBruski

Lori&LeviCederquist

KarlCourtadeFamily

Mike&RoseDeering

AmyDeHaan

Frank&MarieDituri

RobertDonick

Amos&KathleenEsman

CaraEule

Bill&LindaFord

Mike&GailGlowacki

GreatLakesAntiqueTractorClub

James&BerthaHarvey

Jerry&JamieHeim

WoodyHerman

TheIrvinFamily

Rod&SueJones

MelindaLautner

Pat&TheresaMadden

Frank&LeonaMcManus

GaryPopovits

David&EllenRapson

ShirleyRobertson

Donald&JillSamuelson

Rebecca&JeffreySaxton

LillieFayeShaw

AnitaSilverman

Ken&SandySleder

SherylSogge

RoyStrait&NancySchumacher-Strait

PatriciaF.Schramm

JeanSchramm

William&ElizabethSiebenthaler

SiebenthalerFoundation

GarySilverman

AnitaSilverman

LindaAnnSowers

MarleneSowers

Tom&JettaSwiat

KathleenHoward

JosephThibedeau

Anonymous

Jim&SandyVanEenenaam

MartiVanEenenaam-Iwanicki&Tom Iwanicki

IN-KIND GIFTS

BirdsfootNativeNursery

CedarGroveFarm

GailGelbaugh

Image360

BarbJohnson

RubyLeeandEarlBowers

GabeWier

GIFTS TO THE FRIENDS OF THE GRAND TRAVERSE CONSERVATION DISTRICT

AllenFoundation Inc

CharleneAbernethy&MichaelGill

MichaelFoley

Jim&DianaHuckleFamilyFoundation

Dick&JodyLaBarre

TerryLarsen&KarenKantz-Larsen

KathleenPrimo

Forover80years,theGrandTraverseConservation Districthasbeenyourcommunity-serving organizationthatcaresforthepeopleandplaces thatmakeNorthwestMichigansospecial.Your supportallowsustocontinuethevitalworkof keepingourlocalfarmssustainable,theBoardmanOttawayRiverhealthy,2,500acresofparkland accessible,andourcommunityconnectedtothe outdoors.

1450 Cass Road Traverse City, MI 49685