2022 Ottawa Conservation District Annual Report

2022 Annual Report

The Ottawa Conservation District was founded in 1938 by several landowners concerned with soil degradation that resulted from years of negligent land management. Upon formation, the District set forth goals to remediate soil erosion Today, the Ottawa Conservation District continues to meet foundational agriculture goals while also providing services related to other forms of natural resource management and conservation in Ottawa County.

Who are we? What does a conservation district do? These are questions we get often. We hope to answer both of those questions for you within these pages. I have been with the Ottawa Conservation District for several years now and let me tell you, it has been an adventure.

This year we have been awarded a new grant program, Produce Safety, through the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) We also successfully developed and delivered services through two new programs, the Sand Creek & Crockery Creek Restoration Project and the Farmland Water Quality Conservation Initiative, otherwise known as our RCPP or (Regional Conservation Partnership Project).

With new programs has come new staff. In under a decade, we have taken this organization from a small three person staff to a staff of fourteen It is their determination and ingenuity that has made us who we are today! You might wonder if this growth slowed us down, but the fact is, we have flourished You will find our new programs, staff, and accomplishments featured throughout this report.

We want to thank Ottawa County, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Department of Agricultural and Rural Development (MDARD), the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), the United States Forest Service (USFS), the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), and all our local community partners It is their financial, technical, and leadership expertise that have allowed us to bring these services to you.

I anticipate that over the next year, we will continue to write grants, deliver technical services, provide cost-share, and educate the community on the importance of helping people preserve, conserve, maintain, and improve the natural resources of Ottawa County

Yours Truly, Megan Boos Executive Director

"The Earth is what we all have in common."

Wendell Berry

Tree Seedling and Native Plant Sales

We want to thank the community for supporting our native tree seedling and plant sales We have developed a new format for our plant sales and brought back workshops, and we are excited to continue to improve what we offer the community!

The funds from these events help cover important district operations that are not covered by our grants. They also supply high-quality, locally grown native plants to the community that provides numerous ecological benefits!

Raindrop Rescue is a new program offering technical and possible monetary assistance to schools, communities, and residential homeowners to install native plantings and green stormwater infrastructure with the ultimate goal of helping Ottawa County’s groundwater shortage and improving its habitat.

The four main goals are to:

Install native plant material in landscapes that require no supplemental watering or chemical maintenance

Increase the amount of natural water infiltration and reduce stormwater runoff by replacing turf where applicable and reducing impervious hard surfaces.

Create more resilient school yards, home yards, streets, and parking lots with these practices, which will reduce the impact of severe weather like drought or flooding.

Assist schools in creating educational spaces that allow for the hands-on teaching of conservation principles

Ferry Elementary

Community Garden Wildflower Seeding

critical dunes/vegetative removal assurance

The District can provide general information on Michigan’s Critical Dunes Programs for schools and organizations can be provided, tailoring length and content to the appropriate audience.

If an Ottawa County resident is building within a Critical Dune Area, the District can offer assistance in completing a Vegetation Removal Assurance (VRA) during the required permit process with EGLE District staff can provide this service to the public for a fee Four VRA’s were completed by the District in 2022.

Forestry assistance program

E d u c a t i o n a n d O u t r e a c h

With the world opening back up again in 2022, OCD staff were able to get out in the community again to provide outreach and educational opportunities Check out a few of the events we hosted, partnered on, and attended below!

Presentations Given & Community Events Attended

National Ag Day Open House - Tabled Outreach

Chester Township Groundwater Presentation

RCPP Rollout Virtual Presentation

Project Clarity Luncheon - RCPP Presentation

Pollution Solutions Virtual Talks - Partnered with Macatawa Area Coordinating Council

Saugatuck City Council - HWA Presentation

Do's & Don'ts of Native Landscaping - Hope Academy of Senior Professionals Speaker Series

MACD Capital Day - Advocated for CD State Funding

Berlin Fair - Tabled Outreach

HWA Partnership Case Study Presentation for DNR Wildlife Division Conference

Ottawa County Farm Bureau Summer Member

Picnic - Tabled Outreach

Rust N Dust Steam & Gas Show - Tabled Outreach

Grand Haven Farmers Market - Tabled Outreach

Ottawa County Water Quality Forum - Tabled Outreach

GLEXPO MAEAP Panel - MAEAP Tech spoke on farmer panel

OCD Hosted Educational & Volunteer Events

Two Beach Cleanups

WMCISMA Invasive Species Impacts Throughout the Grand River Watershed Virtual Event

HWA Treatment Training

West Michigan Conservation Network Annual Meeting

Ottawa Conservation District Annual Meeting

Cultivating Resilience Farm Field Day

HWA Contractor Workshop with Mason Lake CD

Native Plant Workshop

Pesticide Jug Recycling Day

Forestry Management Plan Workshop

HWA Survey Training

Conservation on Tap

The District Forester for Barry, Allegan, and Ottawa Counties implements the Forestry Assistance Program (FAP). FAP assists forest landowners in making management decisions for their woods. The program provides on-site assessments and guidance to landowners and forestry professionals. These services are provided year-round at no cost.

In 2022 our District Forester, Ben Savoie, completed 51 site visits covering 2,065 acres.

Photo by Raecale Stull

hemlock woolly adelgid program (HWA)

The West Michigan CISMA has worked since 2018 to address hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) on private land in West Michigan. This past field season, the West Michigan CISMA was able to increase the capacity of the field crew from four to five Forest Pest Technicians The Technicians spend the winter months surveying and collecting data in preparation for the summer treatment season. The surveys and treatments have been focused on the northernmost extent of the HWA population range in Michigan, which is primarily located in the Ludington area. During the 2022 field season, the Technicians were able to treat over 24,931 trees across more than 888 acres This program is funded by the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program as well as the United States Forest Service Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Thank you to our partners and funders on this project!

Invasive Species Strike Team

The West Michigan CISMA has three strike teams that work to address invasive plants on both public and private properties in West Michigan. The three offices that host a strike team are in Kent, Muskegon, and Ottawa Conservation Districts These strike teams work under a diverse set of funding streams including state and federal grants, as well as for hire work Together, all three teams treated 292 sites. These treatments took place over a total of 1,204 acres and addressed a multitude of invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed, European frog-bit, and Chines Yam. This fall the West Michigan CISMA continued the Phragmites treatment project along the Macatawa, Kalamazoo, Grand, Muskegon, and Pentwater Rivers This project is funded by the USFS through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Program We want to thank all of our funders and partners for their continued support.

For hire work

One area of growth for the West Michigan CISMA is in fee-for-service work. This includes projects that are not funded through grants, either due to the priority of the species or the location, but the landowner is willing to pay for the work The goal for this program is to provide an at-cost option for landowners to address their invasive species and assist in the management of their properties to be healthy and resilient. These treatments are available for both terrestrial invasive plants and hemlock woolly adelgid If you are interested in learning more about this program, please contact Will Latham at william.latham@macd.org.

Watershed programs

Bass River/Deer Creek & Sand Creek/ Crockery Creek restoration programs

TheseprogramsarefundedbySection319NonpointSourcegrantsfromtheMichigan DepartmentofEnvironment,GreatLakes,andEnergy(EGLE)andarededicatedto reducingnutrients,sediment,andEcolilevelsintheBassRiver,DeerCreek,Crockery Creek,andSandCreekwatershedsbyprovidingtechnicalassistanceandcost-share fundingforbestmanagementpractices.WearejustoveroneyearintotheSCCC RestorationProjectandtheBRDCRestorationProjectcametoanendinSeptember after9years.OCDwillbeapplyingforadditionalwatershedfundinginthenewyear.

BRDC Cost Share

Over 2600 acres of cover crops, 500 acres of no till, 1 cattle crossing, 26 farmers involved, & 8 septic system replacements

SCCC Cost Share

Over 3000 acres of cover crops, 400 acres of no till, 12 farmers involved, & 5 septic system replacements

TosupportworkbeingdoneintheCrockeryCreekwatershed,OCDpartneredwiththe GrandValleyStateUniversitySocialScienceLabtodevelopanddistributethe “CrockeryCreekSpeaks”surveyThissurveywasmailedouttojustover2,000farming andruralresidentsthroughouttheentireCrockeryCreekwatershedfromJune2022August2022.320residentsreturnedacompletedsurvey.Theresultsfromthissurvey willbeanalyzedandsummarizedandthenusedtoguideeducation,outreach,and technicalassistanceeffortstothecommunitymovingforward.

pigeon river watershed management plan

In August 2022, the Ottawa Conservation District completed work on a Watershed Management Plan (WMP) for the Pigeon River, a designated trout stream, located in central Ottawa County The purpose of this plan is to guide future restoration efforts within the watershed, and it includes information about local water quality, sources of degradation, as well as priority areas and recommendations for protection or restoration.

From 2020-2022, monitoring data was collected from throughout the watershed to capture an accurate representation of current water quality and habitat conditions. We also documented potential sources of pollution from streambank erosion, agricultural erosion, failing road-stream crossings, and more This data, in addition to an assortment of GIS mapping and modeling tools, helped us to better understand watershed conditions and identify critical areas to focus future restoration efforts

The completion of this plan made the Pigeon River Watershed eligible for Section 319 Nonpoint Source grant funds from EGLE for restoration work and we plan to apply for funding in November 2022 If successful, funding will be utilized for the implementation of agricultural best management practices, septic tank repairs and replacements, other water quality projects and education and outreach efforts. The Pigeon River WMP, along with a watershed fact sheet, can be viewed on our website

In October 2021, the District welcomed Sarah Bowman as a new Watershed Technician. Sarah hails from Wisconsin but spent the last 6 years in Montana where she worked in water and natural resources conservation for several organizations. Part of her work included writing three state approved Watershed Restoration Plans, so she was happy to utilize her experience to assist with writing the Pigeon River WMP. She’s looking forward to implementing projects identified within this plan to improve water quality in the Pigeon River for years to come Sarah also provides outreach for several programs within OCD so you might see her pop up at community events throughout the county!

Agricultural programs

Michigan Agriculture environmental assurance program (MAEAP)

The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is an innovative, proactive program that helps farms of all sizes and all commodities voluntarily prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks. MAEAP's mission is to develop and implement a proactive environmental assurance program ensuring that Michigan farmers are engaging in costeffective pollution prevention practices and working to comply with state and federal environmental regulations MAEAP in 2022: In the 2022 fiscal year, 46 risk assessments were completed in Ottawa County and 6 Farms were verified in multiple systems, covering a total of 1,493 acres In total, 38 Risk Reduction Practices were implemented including providing spill kits, emergency planning assistance, and environmentally sensitive area identification. This year, over $4,000 in financial assistance was provided for one fuel pad, one above ground fuel tank, and soil tests and spill kit supplies to help offset costs associated with MAEAP verification

Cultivating Resilience

Ottawa & Allegan Conservation Districts partnered with Shady Side Farms and the Outdoor Discovery Center to host the 3rd Annual Cultivating Resilience Farm Field Day which brought in 136 participants including local farmers, agriculture business, and conservation professionals. Topics presented include groundwater concerns in Ottawa and surrounding counties and an introduction into holistic management on the farm. Field demonstrations consisted of a soil pit, rainfall simulator, compost system and a pasture walk.

This was our most successful field day to date! This day was possible in part to the MAEAP Communications Grant, the National Grazing Lands Coalition Grant, the Farmland & Water Quality Conservation Initiative, and many amazing sponsors!

Photo taken by Raecale Stull

Photo taken by Raecale Stull

The produce safety program is a free, voluntary, non-regulatory, statewide program designed to help growers evaluate on-farm practices with their produce. The program includes produce safety risk assessments, on-farm readiness review, bookkeeping education, Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule education and technical assistance, and new FDA Food Safety Modernization Act compliance assistance.

Produce Safety Technician

Hi there! I’m Morgan Anderson, the Produce Safety Technician servicing Ottawa and Kent counties (as well as some areas to the east). I was hired by the Ottawa Conservation District in September 2022. I am a recent (‘22) graduate of the University of Michigan where I received a B.A. in environmental studies and a minor in public policy Growing up on our family farm partially located in Chester Township, I have always been interested in the intersections of agriculture, the environment, and community. These interests led me to working with organizations like the U of M Campus Farm, the U of M Sustainable Food Program, and Trout Unlimited. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, photography, crafting, and taking care of my many plants.

Given this combination of experience and education, I am extremely grateful to be working for the Ottawa Conservation District, and with producers to interpret food safety standards and figure out what works best for their operation. I look forward to chattin' with you (even if you don't grow produce)!

Agricultural programs

Farmland and water quality conservation initiative

On March 23, 2022, the Ottawa Conservation District officially rolled out the Farmland & Water Quality Conservation Initiative to the public. Funded by the Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), the initiative provides technical and financial assistance to producers to address local natural resource concerns throughout Ottawa County and neighboring portions of Allegan, Kent, Newaygo, and Muskegon Counties

The program is focused on achieving three major goals within the project area:

1) protecting surface and groundwater quality

2) improving habitat for fish and wildlife

Livestock

3) preserving manageable farmlands that can help conserve groundwater resources

To do so, Conservation District and NRCS staff work one-on-one with agricultural producers to create unique conservation plans tailored to their farming operation This planning process is free and cost-share funding is available to implement conservation practices. Farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who own or rent agricultural land are eligible for this program.

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Practices Funded in 2022: Brush Management, Conservation Cover, Cover Crops, Fence, Forest Harvest Management, Grassed Waterways, Livestock Pipeline, Prescribed Grazing, Reduced Tillage, Soil Health Amendments, Tree/Shrub Establishment

Natural resource conservation service

NRCS, a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) agency, assists farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners to ensure the sustainability of agricultural productions and the protection of natural resources.

Amount of cost-share spent in 2022: $237,879.62

Amount of cost-share allocated in 2022: $380,859.05

Conservation Applied in 2022: Farmland Easement Secured - 121 acres Cover Crops- 1,627 acres

Agrichemical Handling Buildings - 2 Pasture Watering Systems - 1 Windbreaks - 3,600 ft.

Prescribed Grazing - 123 acres

Forest Management Plants - 85 acres Irrigation Water Management - 258 acres Nutrient Management - 260 acres

Hello Ottawa County Residents! My name is Sharcy Ray I joined the Grand Haven NRCS field staff as the District Conservationist in September 2022 I’ve been with NRCS since 2011 when I started as a summer intern. I was a District Conservationist in Northern Michigan for several years and most recently served as a Resource Conservationist out in Longmont, Colorado. I have a BS in Natural Resources Management from Grand Valley State University and spent summers in college working on a vegetable farm in Kent County. I’ve worked with many types of landowners over the years – from large dairy farms, cash croppers and livestock grazers, to small vegetable farms, beekeepers, and forest landowners A few things that I am passionate about when it comes to our work at NRCS are helping folks understand and improve their soil health, restoring pollinator habitat on the landscape, and how forestry and agriculture can play a role in mitigating the impacts of climate change In my free time I enjoy kayaking, gardening, and traveling. I look forward to meeting and working with you all!

District Conservationist - Grand Haven Service Center

Financials volunteers

We want to say how grateful we are for the volunteers that helped us at our Annual Tree Sale, Native Plant Sales, beach cleanups, Annual meeting, and garden plantings.

Thanks to everyone's hard work, we cleaned up 270 pounds of trash off of our local beaches and installed 2 native plant gardens.

We're thankful that everyone who has donated their time, money and resources to help us maintain, improve, and preserve the natural resources here in Ottawa County.

"HERE IS YOUR COUNTRY. CHERISH THESE NATURAL WONDERS, CHERISH THE NATURAL RESOURCES, CHERISH THE HISTORY AND ROMANCE AS A SACRED HERITAGE, FOR YOUR CHILDREN AND YOUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN."

-THEODORE ROOSEVELT

We have an exciting year ahead of us! We want to share with you a few of the newest events and program additions to come.

The Conservation District will be hosting a series of conservation education at Grand Armory Brewing called Conservation on Tap! Local experts will present on Ottawa County-specific conservation topics and local resources related to each topic will be shared In honor of this event, Grand Armory Brewing will be making a donation to help support a local school native garden planting project organized by Ottawa Conservation District! Event details and registration is available on our website

In a win for West Michigan, the Ottawa Conservation District has been awarded $200,000 from the Sustain Our Great Lakes (SOGL) program. The funding will allow the West Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (WCISMA) to continue the management of invasive species in areas where the Pere Marquette, Muskegon, and Lower Grand watersheds overlap their seven-county service area. The program will focus on retreatment efforts for invasive bittersweet, Japanese knotweed, and Phragmites; facilitating long-term plans to preserve habitat, water quality, and biodiversity.

In addition, we will host our Annual meeting at Hemlock Crossing Education Center on March 14th from 6:00pm-8:00pm.

Make sure to save the date!

SANDY JONES AIMEE BECKHAM LORENZ LIM PAUL SANDERS

get involved

Our board meetings take place on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM at 16731 Ferris St. Grand Haven, MI 49417. These meetings are open to the public. All public meeting will be accessible in person or via zoom. Virtual invitations to our meetings will be made available on our website.

On our website or Facebook page, you will find information on upcoming volunteer events. We offer a variety of activities for individuals, families, or organizations You will also find our recently completed 2022 Cultivation Needs Assessment and our five years strategic plan

You can sign up to receive our quarterly e-newsletter on our website at ottawacd.org.