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How soil is formed, the properties of soil, differences in soil texture. Learn how soil conservation and regenerative agriculture go hand-in-hand. Soil Health Anchor 1 Soil is teeming with life! Soil is arguably the planet's most important natural resource. It is home to billions of microorganisms, invertebrates, plants and animals; all of which play an important roll in ecosystems, and cycles of nutrients, carbon, and water. Soil is also the life source for terrestrial vegetation. Without it, there would be no food, no clean air to breath, no filtration of water. Protecting our soils and restoring damaged soil is today's priority. The soil beneath your feet today began to form thousands, if not millions of years ago. Since soil takes so long to form, farmers and environmentalists often list soil erosion as one of the highest areas of concern. Once soil is gone, it's gone. Soil is not just dirt - it is a highly complex, living entity. In essence, soil is a mixture of four main ingredients; minerals, organic matter, water, and air. When soil loses one of these components, it loses its ability to support life. So, lets break down the soil recipe even further. Minerals Soil is formed in part by the erosion of bedrock, the solid earth layers buried under the soft soil layers. Over the course of many years, exposed bedrock gets worn down by elements like rain, wind, heat and chemical weathering. This erosion and weathering creates soil particles of various sizes; sand, clay, or silt. Each grain of soil contains specific minerals based on the type of bedrock the particle came from. Chemical and biological processes allow plant life to use the minerals available in the soil. Organic Layer Bedrock Parent Material Sub Soil Top Soil Organic Material Organic Material is any decomposing plant or animal residue. Organic matter plays a variety of rolls in soil. It helps with maintaining soil structure, moisture permeability, and nutrient availability. Farmers are encouraged to leave plant residue on their farms after harvest, and use cover crops to help increase the amount of organic material in their soil and aid in nutrient recycling. When organic matter begins to decompose, it provides living plants with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and host of other required nutrients. This decreases the amount of nutrients a farmer needs to apply to their fields - which, in turn, reduces costs for farmers, decreases nutrient leeching, and increases crop yields. Once organic material is decomposed, it becomes hummus. Hummus provides long lasting benefits in terms of maintaining soil structure, moisture permeability, and a home for beneficial soil microbes. Photo courtesy of Hendrikus Organics Air and Water The rolls air and water play in terms of sustaining life on earth are obvious. Depending on soil quality, the presence of air and water can become imbalanced - creating soils that are inhospitable for plant life. If a soil is too compact, or if it doesn't hold its structure, soil will not be able to properly store air and water. By increasing organic matter in a soil, more pockets for air and water to pass become available. These pockets of air and water then become available for plants and beneficial microorganisms. Soil Texture Photos courtesy of Soils Science Society of America A soil texture triangle is used to classify soil types and mixtures. Soils types are classified based on the percentage of sand, silt or clay in a sample. Image (a) Texture Triangle (b) an example of how a soil containing 33% clay, 33% silt and 34% sand is classified as a Clay Loam. Soil texture plays an important roll in the behavior of soil. Some soils' behavior are perfect for croplands, while others are great for wetlands or deserts. Soil texture is largely dependent on geographical location and the history of the landscape. Learning what type of soil is available on a piece of land can can help landowners conserve the soil, and help the soil meet demands of the property. Soil tests are available to get the most accurate information on soil type and quality. There are three main sizes of grain in a soil: sand, silt, and clay. Soil can contain any combination of one or more of these grain sizes to create a unique mixture. Soils can be classified based on the amount of sand, silt and clay they contain. A soil that contains a mixture of all three soil types is called a loam. Each soil type has its pros and cons, and each soil type is perfect for sustaining a unique niche of plant and microbial life. Characteristics of Soil Types Sand - water drains quickly - difficult to compact, doesn't hold shape - roots are able to establish quickly - easy to work with and manipulate - does not hold nutrients very well Silt - holds nutrients well - slow to drain water - when dried, it forms a hardened crust Clay - holds water, poor drainage - easily compacted - clumps together, holds shape - roots have difficulty establishing themselves. How can you protect soils? Keeping soils covered and protected from the elements year round is one of the most effective ways to retain soil quality. If you are a farmer or landowner, consider planting cover crops, or native plant species. If you are a farmer, consider implementing a no-tillage, or reduced-tillage system. Minimally disturbed soils allows organic matter to decompose, prevents soil compaction, and decreases nutrient and sediment runoff from farmland into watersheds. Contact our Soil Conservation Technician Emily Brown Emily. Brown @macd.org Learn more about Conservation Practices Button

How to spot invasive species, and why to plant native species on your land. Native and Invasive Plants Native Plants Put simply, native plants are plant species that have grown naturally in a region without first being introduced by humans. Each native plant plays an important role in local ecosystems because they live in symbiosis with other native plant and wildlife species. Additionally, native plants are adapted to live in certain climates and soil conditions, thus, increasing their resiliency in those conditions. Native plant species are often threatened by urbanization, development projects, and by the introduction of invasive species. Only a few hundred years ago, what are now backyards, parking lots, shopping centers and neighborhoods used to be native forests, wetlands, prairies, and other thriving ecosystems. In part, colonization has destroyed entire ecosystems and has caused certain species to become extinct. Being said, humans have the opportunity to reintroduce native species and establish thriving ecosystems within a modern context. There are many ways to reintroduce native plant species. Homeowners can plant native species in their gardens, farmers and landowners can plant pollinator habitats, local officials can build green infrastructure, and decision makers can work with local conservation districts to learn which plant species are most beneficial in specific environments. The benefits of planting native plants are endless, but here are a few examples: Native species are well-adapted to local conditions, thus they do not require much maintenance. Native plants establish strong root systems. This maintains a healthy soil structure, absorbs excess surface water, and helps reduce nutrient runoff. Native plants are beautiful to look at. They can add value to a property. Spaces planted with native plants are excellent pollinator habitats. These pollinators benefit our local agriculture systems. Reestablish habitat for beneficial wildlife. Native Plant Riparian Buffer - Jim Brueck, Owner Native Lakescapes, LLC Click below for more information on native plant resources: 1) Current news and information regarding native plants and projects 2) Database of Michigan Native Plants - categorized by region 3) Local Producers and Nurseries with Native Plants Examples of Common Native Species Invasive Plants An invasive species is 1) non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and 2) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health(1) . Invasive species establish easily in existing ecosystems and then outcompete native species. The establishment of invasive species can destroy wildlife habitat, community infrastructure, outdoor recreation and tourism, agricultural yields and affect sensitive ecosystem balances. Many invasive species were originally brought purposefully into an environment. However, after establishment, invasive species are often spread accidentally, making treatment and removal of invasive plants difficult. Did you know, invasive species cost the United States more than $120 billion in damages per year. (2) What can you do to help stop the spread of invasive species? Early identification and detection of invasive species is the best management plan. Tackling invasive species is a community effort. Check out these resources for help identifying invasive plants: 1) An electronic guide for invasive plant identification 2) Plant Identification Texts - download the free pdf versions, or order a hard copy. 3) Download the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network App - a community science based program participated in collecting invasive species field data. What is Allegan Conservation District doing about invasive species? The Allegan Conservation District has partnered with the West Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (WMCISMA) to employ experts in invasive species management. These experts are available to: Help landowners identify and treat invasive plants on their land. Team up with local agencies of government to treat invasive plants on public land. Provide workshops for the general public to help inform them of the concerns regarding invasive plants, how to properly identify invasive plants, the tools available to the public for the management of invasive plants, and related topics. Reach out to nurseries, landscapers, and others in the horticultural industry to educate them on the concerns regarding invasive plant species. Sources: (1) Presidential Executive Order 13112 (February 1999) (2) Update on the environmental and economic costs associated with alien-invasive species in the United States Examples of Common Invasive Plants

Allegan County Watersheds. We all live in a watershed, learn what conservation practices you can implement in order to protect streams, rivers and lakes. Watershed Management Local Watersheds Wherever you live, you are living in a watershed. A watershed is a term used to describe all the elements in a water drainage system. Watersheds are typically named after the mainstem, or primary waterway within the drainage basin. Allegan County is composed of four main watersheds named after the five respective mainstem rivers – the Kalamazoo River, Black River, Gun River, Rabbit River and the Macatawa River. Visualizing a watershed While there is tremendous interconnectivity between watersheds, it is easiest to think of each watershed as its own separate drainage basin. Each watershed boundary is created by the topography of the area. When rain falls within a boundary of a watershed, the rainwater joins other elements of the watershed to become surface water, ground water, or an existing body of water like a river stream or lake. Think of the boundary of the watershed as the walls of a bathtub; all the water that falls into a bathtub will pool there, then flow towards the drain-everything outside of the bathtub will pool elsewhere. All the water that is collected in a watershed will later drain to a larger body of water, like Lake Michigan. Why is watershed management important? The water in your local watershed provides the water you drink, water crops with, swim in, and rely on. Preserving water is in the best interest of all life on earth. It is also important to realize that all forms of waste - whether it be the trash on the side of the road, the excess fertilizer from farms, or oil spills from our automobiles and farm equipment – all ends up in our watersheds. Have you noticed how rivers and streams will turn brown after a heavy rainfall or snowmelt? This chocolate-y water is due to sediment from poorly managed soils that erodes into our watersheds. Every landowner and farmer has the responsibility to protect the soil against erosion, and keep their land free of hazardous debris, and resilient against erosion. Photo courtesy of Lake County Stormwater Management Commission Map design by Ellie Anne Art What can you do to protect local watersheds? Learn how water moves through a watershed in the video to the right! Work with NRCS to create a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan to reduce runoff of fertilizers from your farm. Contact the Allegan Conservation District for participate in our grant-funded projects. Make sure you are disposing of waste in proper receptacles. Gather a group of friends to collect trash alongside roads, trails, rivers, and beaches. Check our Events Page for upcoming cleanup events! Clear debris (leaves, trash, sediment, etc.) away from storm drains in your neighborhood. Consider using alternatives to salt when trying to melt winter ice on sidewalks. What is Allegan Conservation District doing to protect watersheds? Allegan Conservation District, and many members of Allegan County believe protecting our watersheds by decreasing sediment and nutrient runoff should be a priority. There are many opportunities for farmers to join us in implementing conservation practices. See below for more information on how you can participate in any of the following projects. Kalamazoo River Phosphorus Reduction Project Gun River Sediment Reduction Volunteer Cleanup Events with the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council RCPP with Barry County for the Gun, Rabbit, and Thornapple Rivers

Educational materials and activities to become involved in environmental conservation. Activities Conservation efforts should be, and can be, accessible for people of all backgrounds, cultures and ages. Recognizing that we all play a role in protecting natural resources can have a huge impact. Learning how to be an environmental steward, and implementing daily conservation practices can be as simple as you make it to be. To encourage interest in conservation and the development of positive habits, we've compiled a list of activities for the everyone to try! Outdoor Discovery Center There are many local organizations that offer experiential learning opportunities. Allegan Conservation District partners with the Outdoor Discovery Center in Holland to provide educational programming and resources. Below, you will find a few of their suggested activities! Visit their website for further programming opportunities. Backyard Challenges Beneath My Feet Small World Big Changes Backyard How-To DNR Online Learning Center In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and schools transitioning to online learning, the DNR has created online resources for teachers, students, and parents. Follow their websites for Nature at Home and Nature at School . Whether your kiddo is taking classes in-person or online, both websites are resources for educational materials, lesson plans, and activities. Michigan Green Schools Started in 2006, Michigan Green Schools is a non-profit 501(c)3 agency dedicated to assisting all Michigan schools – public and private – achieve environmental goals which include protecting the air, land, water and animals of our state along with world outreach through good ecological practices and the teaching of educational stewardship of students pre-kindergarten through senior high school. Schools and their students voluntarily choose to participate in the program which focuses on real-world implementation of environmental programs in the classroom. Schools receive points for projects such as setting up a school recycling program, implementing a school energy saving program, planting a garden with native Michigan plant species, participating in an Earth Day event, and in many cases being creative and coming up with their own ways to improve and protect their local natural resources. If your school is interested in participating or learning more, please contact ACD for more information! Allegan.Admin@macd.org Conservation for the whole family Keep an eye out on our Events Page to participate in upcoming events! Watch the videos below for more ideas on conservation activities you can try at home. For questions, or more information on specific projects, don't hesitate to call our office! Do-it-Yourself Projects Worm Composting Container Gardens Rain Gardens Wildlife Friendly Backyards Clear Neighborhood Storm Drains DIY Rain Barrel

Allegan County is very ecologically diverse. Click to learn more about wildlife habitats in the county, and how we can restore and protect those habitats. Habitat Health Conserving Habitats As the human population continues to grow, wildlife and their habitats become increasingly encroached upon and impacted. Landowners can play a role in restoring and conserving natural habitats. Types of habitat in Allegan County: How humans and wildlife benefit from preserving habitats: creeks, streams, rivers, lakes riparian zones, wetlands grasslands, prairie, oak savanna sand dunes forests clean drinking and irrigation water safe spawning and nesting areas, ensuring fishing and hunting opportunities provides recreational activities shelter, timber resources natural beauty protection against extreme weather events What species benefit from protecting the natural habitats in Allegan County? There are simply too many to list. Western Michigan has an incredibly diverse biodiversity. This diversity is unique to the habitats and ecosystems that are present here. Every native species plays a role in natural ecosystems, and their success is determined entirely by the health of its habitat, and its relationship with other species in the same habitat. Learn more about Michigan's native species Button Photo Courtesy of Jay Fleming Brook Trout Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia American Bullfrog Photo Courtesy of National Parks Service White-tailed Deer Photo Courtesy of US Forest Service American Bumble Bee Photo Courtesy of National Parks Service Monarch Butterfly Photo Courtesy of National Parks Service Downy Woodpecker What is Allegan Conservation District doing to conserve wildlife habitat? Allegan Conservation District works with landowners to help them make decisions that work best for the resources on their property and the habitat the landowner is trying to protect. Click below to see our projects, the benefits these projects have on habitat conservation, and how you can get involved. Allegan Conservation District Projects Button

Farmers and landowners alike can implement Best Manangement Practices to help conserve natural resources. These agricultural practices can often be implemented through a cost-share program. Conservation Practices Speak to any of the staff members from Allegan Conservation District, NRCS, or MAEAP to learn more about how some (or all) of these conservation practices can be applied on your farm or land. Cost Sharing Programs are available to help offset the cost of implementing these practices. Conservation Tillage Photo Courtesy of Brian Talsma Conservation Tillage Managing the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round. Reduced Till and No-Till limits soil-disturbing activities. This has a variety of benefits including: Reduce sheet and rill erosion Reduce wind erosion Improve soil organic matter content Save money and time on fuel and energy use Increase plant-available moisture Provide vital wildlife habitat Reduces release of carbon (a major greenhouse gas) into the atmosphere Project Name Photo Courtesy of MorningAgClips Cover Crops A practice where farmers plant right after harvesting their cash crop for the growing season. The goal of cover cropping is not to produce a high yield, but to hold the soil in place and recycle nutrients to be used for the following growing season. Other benefits of cover crops include: Reduce erosion from wind and water Increase soil organic matter content Capture and recycle or redistribute nutrients in the soil profile Promote biological nitrogen fixation and reduce energy use Increase biodiversity Suppress weeds Manage soil structure Minimize and reduce soil compaction Reduce pest pressure Encourage Pollination Chemical and Waste Handling Facilities These facilities has an impervious floor surface, such as concrete, to provide an environmentally safe area for the handling of on-farm agrichemicals and waste. Chemicals such as fertilizer, pesticide and fuels should all be stored in their appropriate handling facilities. Waste water, manure, and other biological hazards should also be stored and disposed of properly. Above Ground Fueling Waste Storage Facilities Chemical Storage Building Filter and Buffer Strips Filter strips, also known as buffer strips, are a practice used to protect waterways by catching sediment and other pollutants before they enter the water. A filter strip is a band of vegetation at least 20 feet wide and can be used in many locations for different goals, some examples include: On fields along streams, ponds, lakes, and drainageways At the lower edge of crop fields or in conjunction with other conservation practices As part of a riparian forest buffer system Where there is sheet or uniform shallow flow (avoid concentrated flow) As part of an agricultural waste management system When they can be installed on the approximate contour On slopes less than 10 percent Where conservation practices reduce soil losses to an acceptable level Filter strips are not only great for their ability to slow runoff and prevent pollutants from entering the water, they can also serve as habitat for wildlife and add to farm aesthetics. Grassed Waterways A grassed waterway is a shaped, sloped channel that carries surface water at a slow pace to a stable outlet. This practice helps prevent erosion by conveying water from terraces, diversions, and water concentrated areas. The channels are planted with strongly rooted grasses to slow the flow of water, increase uptake of water back into the soil, and to filter pollutants and sediment from the water before reaching larger water bodies. High Tunnels A seasonal polyethylene covered structure is used to cover crops to extend the growing season in an environmentally safe manner. Other benefits of a seasonal high tunnel include: Improve plant quality Improve soil quality Improve water quality from reduced nutrient and pesticide transport Improve air quality from reduced transportation inputs More control over growing environment Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan This plan is unique to livestock operations. To learn how to better deal with disposal of organic by-products, livestock manure, and to minimize erosion, a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) is created. A CNMP starts with a comprehensive assessment of current site conditions and is followed by developing alternatives practices with NRCS, MAEAP or Allegan Conservation District. Possible outcomes are discussions of structural alternatives to address resource concerns. Cost share opportunities exist to help with the implementation of the suggested practices for your specific site. Pollinator Gardens Pollinator Gardens can be added to any farming system. While pollinator gardens serve the obvious purpose of creating habitats for critters who pollinate our crops, and native plant species they can also serve as an additional source of income (cut flowers), and add aesthetic value to a property. Additional benefits include: Natural pest management Filter surface water of pollutants and sediment Encourage the migration of native invertebrates. Photo Courtesy of Xerces / Karin Jokela Stream Crossings A stabilized area or structure constructed across a stream to provide a travel way for people, livestock, equipment, or vehicles. Provide access to another land unit Improve water quality by reducing sediment, nutrient, organic, and inorganic loading of the stream. Reduce streambank and streambed erosion Two Stage Ditches Two Stage Ditches are another water management plan to be implemented on a property where water erosion is a concern. In essence, two stage ditches create a stable floodplain that allows for excess water during and after a rainstorm to flow slowly to an outlet. Two stage ditches can be planted with grasses to help filter sediment and pollution before surface water enters larger bodies of water. Photo Courtesy of Blanchard River Demonstration Farms Network Photo Courtesy of USDA National Agroforestry Center Windbreaks Windbreaks are rows of trees or shrubs strategically planted to block or reduce the force of wind. When planted around a farm, windbreaks can protect sensitive crops, soils, and make the area more comfortable for livestock and farm staff. Other benefits include: Increased crop yield Decreased wind erosion Blocks drift of unwanted pesticides and fertilizer Protects pollinators Promotes an even spread of snow across field during winter months Cover Crops Filter & Buffer Strips

WELCOME TO OUR NEWS PAGE Stay up to date on all the latest at the Allegan Conservation District! We will be posting quarterly newsletters as well as other stories on this page. Have topics you'd like to learn more about, or know of some local events? Please contact us so we can share them here. All Posts Newsletters Projects and Programs Job Openings District Updates and News Search Aug 15 NOTICE of Annual Meeting on 9/21/24 Allegan Conservation District Annual Meeting for the Fiscal Year 2024 Agenda: Reporting on district’s progress, board elections, and... Aug 8 Spring Newsletter May 23 13 On Your Side ACD director Brian Talsma was interviewed by Channel 13 about the Allegan County Spongy moth issue. May 7 Earth Day 2024 Apr 15 ACD Seasonal Newsletter~Winter 2024 Apr 13 Allegan County News 1 2 3 4 5 Conservation Articles May 31, 2021 Photo by Jenna Rasmusson Living Sustainably: Pack out what you pack in to parks Kelly Goward, Macatawa Area Coordinating Council Button April 14, 2021 Help Prevent the Spread of Oak Wilt: Avoid pruning or wounding oak trees between April 15 and July 15 James Wieferich, Michigan DNR Photo by Joseph O'Brien, Forest Service Button March 25, 2021 Stretch rows accommodate corn and cover crops Gil Gullickson, Successful Farming Button Photo by Gil Gullickson April 27, 2021 USDA awards 85 new projects to help mitigate climate change USDA NRCS, Morning Ag Clips Button Photo provided by Morning Ag Clips

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Public Notice The Allegan Conservation District Board of Directors will convene a special meeting at 2:30pm on Wednesday February 23, 2022 at the Allegan Conservation District office (1668 Lincoln Rd. Allegan, MI 49010) for the purpose of approving the hiring of a new employee.