All shifts take place between April 21st and April 29th.
The efforts of many volunteers support the Spring Tree & Shrub Sale distribution event. Volunteers help set up, plant sorting, pre-packing orders, and get orders to customers. It's a fun way to learn about the plants and meet the community of growers.
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New Rental Equipment: Tree Planter! |
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A new addition to our Tool & Equipment Rental program, the tree seedling transplanter can be used to plant acres of trees efficiently with a tractor and crew of 2-3 people. The planter is transportable via a trailer with a built-in lift system.
Interested? Plan ahead to be well equipped this spring & request a reservation for the Tree Planter, No-Till Seed Drill, PullerBear (invasive plant remover), soil probe, planting & pruning tools, knotweed herbicide injector, and more!
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Join us in welcoming our new WCCD staff member & volunteer! |
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Meet Matt DeJonge, our new Conservation Technician! |
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Matt is working with landowners who are interested in participating in NRCS-related programs such as CSP and EQIP. These programs help provide funding to participants to assist them in transitioning to more conservation-minded farm practices. Matt looks forward to working with you and developing goals for your land! Contact Matt if you are interested in signing up for CSP or EQIP by emailing him at matt@washtenawcd.org, or calling 734.302.8714
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Meet Melissa Hauptman, our new volunteer! |
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Melissa has signed on to help support the Farmer's Programs by identifying literature that informs farmers on the financial return of implementing certain conservation practices on their farms. She also will be contributing to our newsletter with relevant information from time to time. She looks forward to meeting farmers in the area, learning about their successes and challenges, and seeing how the WCCD can support their efforts.
If you are interested in volunteering with us, please check out our website or contact Dru, our Outreach Coordinator, at dru@washtenawcd.org
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Last call for Rain Barrels & Composter & 275 Gallon Totes!
Pre-order Rain Barrels, Tumbling Composters, or 275 Gallon Totes to pick-up on March 27th. We'll have very limited inventory for June, so secure your order today. Totes may not be available for June or September pick-up dates.
Pictured: Sam is demonstrating that a Tote can be transported by bicycle, though we recommend a pick-up truck!
Pick-up dates & details:
- March 27th, Monday, 1-4pm (Order before March 20th) - WCCD office
- June 24th, Saturday 12-4pm (Order by June 16th) - Growing Hope Farm
- September 29th, Friday, 1-5pm (Order before September 22nd) - Farm Council Grounds
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Bridgewater Township Hall, 10990 Clinton Road, Manchester, MI |
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April 17th, 2023 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
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Do you consider natural areas and farmlands to be assets to your community? Would you like them to remain? Then join your neighbors and Township representatives to learn about the benefits of and opportunities for farmland and natural area preservation! Come learn about options for conserving or managing your farmland, forests, wetlands, and fields. Representatives from local conservation organizations will discuss individual properties and goals following the presentation. Refreshments provided. Please RSVP online or call 734.302.8715
RSVP by clicking the button below!
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Applications open through June 11th! |
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Does your school, community organization, or non-profit need expert consultation or plant materials to create a native garden, rain garden, food forest, wind break, or other native plant project? The WCCD School & Community Habitat Grant is now accepting applications until the June 11th, 2023 deadline! Please visit our website to learn more, download the application, and explore past projects: www.washtenawcd.org/schg.
If you are a consultant who may be interested in partnering to complete these projects, please reach out to summer@washtenawcd.org. We'd love to help promote the great work you do!
Learn more by clicking the button below!
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with Vince Ste. Marie |
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March 16th from 6 pm to 7:30 pm |
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Dexter Township Hall, 6880 Dexter-Pinckney Rd. Dexter, MI
Vince Ste. Marie of Windy Rock Farm and Nursery will present an "ideas" talk for those desiring to plant for pollinators, but not knowing where to begin or how to select plants that best meet pollinators’ needs throughout the year. Questions explored in this talk will include - How do seasonal bloom patterns provide just what pollinators need at critical stages throughout the year? Where do bees get the protein necessary to ensure successful early spring brood growth? What role do fall-blooming wildflowers play in aiding Monarch migration and pollinator over-wintering success? Are all flowering plants the same or what advantages do native species provide for the pollinator gardener?
Register for this in-person event by clicking the button below!
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Preserve Michigan Farms & Farming: Support the MiFarmLink Project
If you have an agricultural property to sell/lease, are currently seeking property to farm, or an interested in supporting MIFarmLink’s efforts to make connections that help sustain the agricultural community by facilitating the flow of land, knowledge, and resources from one generation to the next, please contact Sam Stokes for more information: sam@washtenawcd.org 734.344.2289.
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2023 Native Plant Expo & Marketplace Speaker Series |
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Supporting Native Pollinators in Backyards to Barnyards with Connie Crancer |
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Did you miss the 2nd presenter in the Native Plant Expo and Marketplace (NPEM) Speaker Series? Don't worry! We recorded it! Watch the webinar with Connie Crancer from the Pollinator Partnership, the largest non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to the protection and promotion of pollinators and their ecosystems. Her presentation will address how to enhance and create habitat in our backyards and farms using native plants that not only support native pollinators and other beneficial insects and the ecosystem services they provide but also support ecological resiliency, healthy soils, and waterways and help to mitigate a world-wide insect and pollinator decline crisis. She will include national and state educational, technical, and financial resources and opportunities.
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Coffee & Conservation |
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Friday, April 14h from 9:30a.m. to 11:00a.m.
Blue Barn Meadows Farm, 2999 N Territorial Rd W, Ann Arbor, MI
The owners of Blue Barn Meadows, Jesse and Natalie Vollamer will discuss how they practice regenerative agriculture on their farm! Click here to register.
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Bridgewater Twp. Meeting, Land Preservation Collective |
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Monday, April 17h from 6:30p.m. to 8:00p.m.
Bridgewater Township Hall, 10990 Clinton Road, Manchester, MI
Come learn about options for conserving or managing your farmland, forests, wetlands, and fields. Representatives from local conservation organizations will discuss individual properties and goals following the presentation. Refreshments provided. Please RSVP by clicking here or call 734-302-8715.
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Native Plant Expo & Marketplace |
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Saturday, June 3rd from 9:00a.m. to 1:00p.m.
Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5045-5093 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd, Saline, MI
Shop one convenient location for Michigan native plants from several Michigan native plant growers, learn how to establish and maintain native landscapes and connect with companies specializing in planning native landscapes for residents in Washtenaw County and the surrounding areas! Learn more!
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- City of Ypsilanti Sustainability Commission will be meeting on Monday, April 10th at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 1 S Huron Street, Ypsilanti, MI
- Sharon Township Planning Commission will be meeting on Thursday, April 6th at 7 p.m. at the Sharon Township Hall, 18010 Pleasant Lake Road, Manchester, MI
- Salem Township Land Preservation & Conservation Board will be meeting on Tuesday, March 21st at 7 p.m. at the Salem Township Hall, 9600 Six Mile Road, Salem, MI
- Northfield Township Land Preservation Committee will be meeting on Monday, April 3rd at 6 p.m. at Northfield Township Hall, 8350 Main St., Whitmore Lake, MI
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