December Conservation Update 🌲


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January 16th, 2025 from 5:00-8:30pm

77th WCCD Annual Celebration

Commemorate another year of service to our community by attending Washtenaw County Conservation District's 77th Annual Celebration at Cobblestone Farm in Ann Arbor, MI. Attendees will enjoy a farm-to-table dinner provided by Harvest Kitchen, a keynote presentation by Bridget O'Brien of Gateway Farm on taking a permaculture mindset into conservation in action, a community awards ceremony, and the WCCD board of director elections. There will be music, mingling, and merriment to be had by all who attend!

Purchase your ticket online by selecting the button below.

RSVP & Purchase a Ticket

Congratulations 2024 WCCD Awardees!

The Henes Family

"Walter Wolfgang Memorial" Conservation Farmer of the Year

Kim Bayer

Small and/or Beginning Conservation Farmer of the Year

Maren Sande

Volunteer of the Year

Terry & Shelia Calhoun

Tree Conservationist of the Year

Megan DeLeeuw

Distinguished Service Award

Read About Each Awardee

WCCD Board of Directors Election Candidates

All residents of Washtenaw County who are of legal age and have demonstrated residency by one piece of identification may vote by casting one ballot at the Annual Celebration on January 16th, 2025 starting at 5 pm at Cobblestone Farm in Ann Arbor.

Residents may also vote by requesting an absentee ballot or filling out a ballot at the WCCD office starting Monday, December 2nd, 2024 between regular business hours (8 am-4:30 pm) until the deadline: noon on January 16, 2025.

Brandon Henes

Brandon Henes grew up in Washtenaw County and is the 5th generation on the family farm located in Bridgewater Township. Owning his own landscaping and lawn business for 24 years servicing the Washtenaw County area, now he is employed at the Washtenaw County Road Commission and a dealer for ROB SEE CO seed company. Farms 250 acres of crop farming and raising cattle and chickens.
Brandon and his wife Melissa have two daughters that are very active on the farm. They also participate in 4H and FFA. The farm is involved in cover crops and soil erosion programs, no-till farming, and in the
forestry management plan and is MAEAP verified.

Patricia Denig

Patricia has served as the Director of Human Resources for Pittsfield Charter Township since 2012. She is responsible for the recruitment, hiring & retention of all employees; compliance; safety; benefit; labor;
employee relations; professional development; and retirement administration. Patricia has developed and implemented many enhancements to the organization’s internal operations including departmental business plans, personnel policy enhancements; employee work plans and evaluations, a wellness program, DEI, and other professional development training, etc. She has also helped negotiate collective bargaining agreements for the Township to address fiscal responsibility, benefits and their long-term legacy costs, and recruitment and retention.

Learn more about the WCCD Board Members

January 2nd

Save-the-Date: Tree & Shrub Sales

Customers can pre-order online or download and submit the paper form. There are more options, images, and details online.

Store Opens (Pre-Order): January 2
Paper Forms Deadline: February 17
Online Store Deadline: March 17

Learn more!

Add yourself to the Annual Report Mailing List

In the Washtenaw County Conservation District Annual Report, you'll find an overview of our programs and projects, highlights our accomplishments, and celebrates our conservation awards and partnerships. Plus get a sneak peek at the plants available for the Spring Sales!

See Past Annual Reports & Sign-up to Receive 2024 Issue

Rural Solar: Recorded Presentation Available!

In 2024, the WCCD collaborated with researchers from U-M Graham Sustainability Institute's Center for Empowering Communities to present on utility-scale rural solar energy systems in Freedom, Manchester, and Bridgewater Townships. These rural solar presentations were inspired by questions WCCD staff had received from community members at land management and preservation presentations. Lacking the data and expertise, the WCCD staff recruited U-M researchers to provide impartial information regarding the trade-offs of utility-scale solar so landowners can make informed decisions about a property's future and its impact on their local community. We also presented farmland owners with another option for land succession and preservation via MIFarmLink, a platform for connecting retiring farmers with aspiring farmers seeking land access. We apologize for the delay in getting this recording. We hope you find the information helpful and informative!

Announcing the 2024 SCHG Awardees

A warm thanks to all of the applicants for the 2024 School and Community Habitat Grant. We had 16 tremendous applications submitted for this year’s program. The SCHG application evaluation committee selected the following six.

The Farm at Trinity – The Native Prairie at The Farm at Trinity

Risdon Park, Saline – Pollinator Garden and Outreach Project

Mill Creek Middle School – Mill Creek Native Landscape Educational Habitat Project

Lyndon Township Hall – Lyndon Township Hall Native Gardens Project

Ann Arbor STEAM Northside – Phoenix Roots

EMU Children’s Institute – EMU CI Rain PlayGarden

Please stay tuned to our website and Facebook for announcements on the next round of grant funding in upcoming newsletters.

Local Government Updates

City of Ypsilanti Sustainability Commission
Monday, January 13th at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 1 S Huron Street, Ypsilanti, MI
Sharon Township Planning Commission
Tuesday, December 17th at 7 p.m. at the Sharon Township Hall, 18010 Pleasant Lake Road, Manchester, MI
Salem Township Land Preservation & Conservation Board
Tuesday, December 17th at 7 p.m. at the Salem Township Hall, 9600 Six Mile Road, Salem, MI
Northfield Township Land Preservation Committee
Wednesday, December 11th at 5:30 p.m. at Northfield Township Hall, 8350 Main St., Whitmore Lake, MI
Augusta Charter Township Farmland Preservation Committee
TBD

Washtenaw County Conservation District Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, December 19th at 7 p.m. at Washtenaw County Conservation District, 705 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI, 2nd Floor - Room #2010

Community Updates

Other local events, programs, and happenings.

Seeds to Community is looking for Volunteers!

Little Barn near the Meri Lou Rec Center, 2960 Washtenaw Ave

Preparing Seeds for Winter

Saturday, December 14, 9-12
Monday, December 16, 3-6
Thursday, December 17, 3-6
Wednesday, December 18, 3-6

We get our hands into piles of seedy life, supported by Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation, we will pamper our little bundles of life in the Community Seed Station. We are headed into both sand work and some big bags of some awesome prairie species. Help us with a final push into the fridge before our December 23rd "C(60)" goal arrives. No need to sign-up, just show up!

River Raisin Watershed Council - Executive Director Position Open

The River Raisin Watershed Council is currently seeking a passionate and experienced leader to fill the role of Executive Director. This is a full-time, exempt position with competitive compensation and benefits. The Executive Director will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the RRWC, from developing and implementing our vision to building strong relationships with our stakeholders.

You can also visit our website for more information at https://www.riverraisin.org/employment

Washtenaw County Conservation District

washtenawcd.org

705 N. Zeeb Rd

Suite #201

Ann Arbor, MI 48103

734.302.8715

info@washtenawcd.org

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