Presented by the Cass and Berrien County Conservation Districts
Niles Library
Conservation District Day
You're
Invited!
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the Conservation District staff.
Agenda
- 10:30am Children’s program in the upstairs reading area.
- 3 books will be read aloud
- 10:30am Hugh Hammond Bennett-The Father of Soil Conservation video
- The Story of America’s Private Lands Conservation Movement with Q & A session moderated by Mike Stickle-NRCS & Nancy Carpenter-BCCD
- 11:15am CISMA "new invaders" talk on Spotted Lanternfly and Hydrilla
- Alex Florian, SWxSW Corner CISMA Coordinator
- 12:00pm Lunch break and visits to booth exhibit/activities
- 12:30pm Bugs in the water-it’s a good thing!
- Nancy Carpenter, Berrien County Conservation District Administrator
- 1:15pm Conservation in Agriculture
- Emily Haluda and Lisa Kuntz; MAEAP Technicians
- 2pm Bring Back the Native Pollinators
- Jennifer Miller, Xerces Society Ambassador, Certified MI Master Naturalist
- 2:45pm Fruit Tree Care & Companion Planting
- Joanne’e DeBruhl, Permaculture Specialist
Children’s Program
10:30am
10:30am
Hugh Hammond Bennett:
The Father of Soil Conservation
Join us for a brief video explaining the significant work of Hugh Hammond Bennett, who dedicated his career to soil conservation. This video goes into depth explaining the relationship between the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and Soil Conservation.
Question and Answer session to follow
moderated by NRCS technician Mike Stickle & Nancy Carpenter-BCCD
11:15am
Cisma
New invaders
Presented by Alex Florian with the
SW x SW Cooperative Invasive Species
Management Area:
Southwest Michigan is the gateway to our beautiful state, and invasive species are knocking. In 2023 two new invasive species, Hydrilla and spotted lanternfly, became top concerns for our region as new populations were found. Hydrilla in Berrien Springs, MI and spotted lanternfly in Elkhart, IN. Our best chance to stop these invaders is to find them early, and respond quickly. This presentation will go over what’s being done, and the critical role you can play in stopping the spread.
12:30pm
Bugs in the water:
it’s a good thing!
Presented by Nancy Carpenter:
Berrien County Conservation District Administrator
Following a break for lunch, Nancy Carpenter, the manager at Berrien County Conservation District will explain the volunteer stream monitoring program, show how aquatic insects are captured and used as a tool to look at stream health. She will explain how you can get involved and be part of this fun and interesting program.
Earn MAEAP
education credit!
1:15pm
Presented by Emily Haluda and Lisa Kuntz, MAEAP technicians:
Learn about the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program from our MAEAP technicians. Learn about how the program works one on one with producers to protect our natural resources and to help keep Michigan’s clean water clean. You will also learn about how your farm or forest can benefit from becoming a part of the MAEAP program. This free, confidential, voluntary program has helped hundreds of farms all across the state.
Native pollinators
2:00pm
Presented by Jennifer Miller, Xerces Society Ambassador, Certified MI Master Naturalist:
This presentation is an overview of the importance of native pollinators, and how you can support them. The little things that run the world are more important than you may know and even small efforts can make a big difference.
2:45pm
Fruit Tree Pruning and Companion Planting
Presented by Joannée DeBruhl, a Permaculture Design Professional
and Organic Farmer
New fruit trees need extra care and support during the first few years. This presentation will discuss how to protect your new fruit trees from pests such as deer, rabbits and voles, and companion plants that can help your fruit trees thrive.
We would like to say
To all the organizations that made this event possible, and to the public for participating.
We hope to see you there!
If you have questions call the Cass Conservation office at 269-445-8641 ext 5.
