Benzie Conservation District

10/06/2026

Meet the macros! Macroinvertebrates are small critters that don’t have a backbone, like insects, snails, and crayfish. Despite their small size, they play a big role in helping researchers study water quality.

Certain aquatic macros are highly sensitive to pollutants. Their presence in a river can indicate how ecologically healthy the water is.

This Saturday, we need your help to collect macros from local rivers. Join our water quality team for Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program to discover the fascinating world of macros, and help us research water quality at the same time.

Sign up and learn more at www.benziecd.org/vsmp-fall-2026

10/02/2026

Seedling sale pickup is today! It’s beautiful weather for planting, and we have extra pines, white cedar, white spruce, and balsam fir available. Visit us behind our office October 2 from 9:00am to 4:00pm to pick up your order and shop for extras.

09/25/2026

Curious about small-scale homesteading? We’re excited to partner with Eran and Stephanie Rhodzell of Laughing Linden Farm for a Family Farm Day!

Bring the family to enjoy guided tours, demonstrations, and get inspiration for creating native and edible landscapes while improving the soil. You’ll also learn about Conservation District-facilitated programs for getting practical advice unique to your property and goals.

Plus, kids will enjoy hands-on crafts and activities like a farm scavenger hunt.

This event will be October 25 from 11:00am to 1:00pm. RSVPs are required, as parking is limited.

Learn more and sign up at benziecd.org/events

09/23/2026

Join us for a free art workshop! 🍁🍂

Join Kyla Robinson (Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator at Benzie Conservation District) for a beginner’s lesson on painting with oil pastels! 🍁🖌

This workshop will help you learn to capture the beauty of Michigan’s autumnal colors and rich woodland scenery in expressive oil pastel. Bring your favorite fall foliage photos for inspiration. All materials provided.

Thursday, October 15 @ 10 am

09/23/2026

Volunteers needed! Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program is a fan-favorite event and one of our most important research days of the year.

At VSMP, spend a morning “in the field” with us to study local stream health. Together, we’ll collect aquatic insects and other macroinvertebrates that reveal important information about potential pollutants and other water quality data.

This event is beginner friendly, you can volunteer from the shore or the water, and did we mention there’s free lunch?

Learn more and sign up by visiting our website: benziecd.org/events

09/22/2026

How can local food support health and wellbeing? In case you missed it, our region’s Produce Safety Technician wrote an insightful article on food systems and foodborne illness, like this summer’s cyclospora outbreak.

Read it in the Benzie County Record Patriot here:

Michigan’s cyclospora outbreak highlights food safety risks in the centralized produce system and the case for more local growers.

09/18/2026

That’s a wrap on Fall Seedling Sale 2026! Like our other programs, the seedling sale is designed to benefit your goals and the environment all at once.

Whether you’re planting for erosion control, windbreaks, habitat restoration, future forests, or to add Michigan’s natural beauty to your backyard, thank you for joining us in supporting Benzie County’s environment.

And, special thanks to the sponsors of our Fall 2026 Native Seedling Sale!

🌲 Heartwood Tier 🌲
Cherryland Electric Cooperative
Honor Bank
Platte Lake Improvement Association

🌲 Taproot Tier🌲
State Savings Bank

09/16/2026

Happy ! Native species make for a balanced environment, and that includes healthy waters. Strong root systems keep the soil in place and absorb excess nutrients. Tree canopies provide shade that cools down water temps, which is important for fish populations.

If you haven’t already, consider adding a planting day to your fall bucket list. Our seedling sale has one day left—it’s not too late to get a bundle of native trees!

Photo: a red pine on Lake Superior, Jonny Tostenson 2022

09/16/2026

The Seabury Foundation will be at Mills Community House this Thursday (September 17) for their annual Benzie Connects program! We are so happy to host them this year.

This year’s panel features Jackie Borozan of Housing Trust of Benzie and Jon Throop of Benzie Conservation District. Together they will lead a facilitated discussion on the need for affordable housing and also protecting our natural resources.

For more information you can contact the Seabury Foundation at [email protected]

09/15/2026

Native plants support the whole ecosystem, water quality included! Benzie Conservation District’s fall seedling sale ends 9/17/26. The young tree seedlings and American beachgrass you order will be ready for pickup behind our office on 10/2/26 from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Learn more and shop online at the link in our bio 🌲