Manistee Conservation District

06/09/2026

The Forest and Water Fund, a new cost-share program by Michigan Forest Association, is now taking new applications!

The cost-share program was designed to give an opportunity for forest landowners in Michigan to implement important non-merchantable forest stewardship practices without taking on a large financial burden. It was also intentionally designed to rely heavily on local professional expertise to plan and oversee the projects - and to make sure the professionals get compensated for assisting landowners.

If you would like more information on the Forest and Water Fund, please visit the updated website (www.forestandwaterfund.org). For specific questions, connect with Project Manager, Vic Lane, at [email protected]

Welcome To Forest & Water Fund

06/04/2026

Looking for a fun way to spend a summer afternoon while supporting pollinators, wildlife, and local conservation? Join us on Friday, June 12 from 11am-3pm at Black Cap Farm for the Native Plant Social!

This free community event brings together conservation enthusiasts and local organizations for a day of learning, connecting, and shopping for native plants.

🌱 Shop a huge selection of native plants from Black Cap Farm
🦋 Learn how native plants support pollinators and wildlife
🤝 Connect with local conservation organizations
📚 Pick up free educational resources
🎁 Enter to win prizes and giveaways

Whether you're experienced with native plants or the concept is new to you, everyone is welcome! The value of adding even just a couple of native plants to your landscape is meaningful, and experts will be on hand to answer questions and help you find the right plants for your space. We hope you'll stop by to connect with us!

06/03/2026

A big thank you to everyone who joined us last Saturday for our spring stream monitoring event! Volunteers spent the morning & afternoon collecting macroinvertebrates from our local streams. The data gathered through this program helps identify trends, monitor changes, and track the overall health of our watershed.

We couldn't do this without our volunteers!

To learn more about the program, visit www.manisteecd2.org/streammonitoring

05/29/2026

Reminder that this is the last weekend to utilize our dumpster for garlic mustard disposal! Get out there and pull some garlic mustard!

In addition to spring showers, April also brings....garlic mustard.

In partnership with the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network MCD is hosting the annual garlic mustard dumpster for the month of May!

From May 1st-May 31st, pull garlic mustard from the roots and bring double bagged for proper dumpster disposal at :

Manistee Conservation District
8840 Chippewa Hwy
Bear Lake, MI 49614

Following disposal- please scan the QR code to complete a short survey. This ensures future funding for invasive management throughout NW MI.

For more information visit https://www.habitatmatters.org/

05/27/2026

Join us, Mason-Lake Conservation District, Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP), Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), NW MI Biochar, and more at Brixstone Farms June 11th 5-8 pm for a Regenerative Agriculture Farm Field Day!

Pre-registration is required, dinner will be provided, registration closes 6/4.

1 restricted use pesticide credit available.

Pre-register at https://www.mason-lakeconservation.org/farm-field-day-registration26 or call Mason-Lake Conservation District at 231-757-3707.

BrixStone Farms, 11240 Milarch Rd, Bear Lake, MI 49614

05/14/2026

Our friends at Little River Band of Ottawa Indians are hosting a weekly summer youth program starting on June 17th! Sign your kiddos up at the following link - https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=dFwMFpcfOkeQAX6D7iSd3zHtG_xjs5dJjBb6AT7o435UQVhSRzhEWUdZT0c2RTY5TEcyS00yUzFNSi4u&route=shorturl

05/06/2026

In addition to the Garlic Mustard Dumpster currently at the MCD -

Join Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network at the Manistee Conservation District June 2nd 4:00-7:00 pm to properly dispose of Japanese Barberry in exchange for a coupon to shop native alternatives! Registration is open until 5/26, or while space is available.

-Pre-registration is required, you must be present on June 2nd to receive coupons. ($5 coupon per plant/ up to 8 plants per registrant/household.)

Pre-register here- https://northwestisn.wufoo.com/forms/z5y81xd094nnsk/

Visit Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network's website for more information at https://www.habitatmatters.org/japanese-barberry-trade-up-day.html