Search Results

Acerca de Check back in December for our Winter BINGO Card! Past prizes: Get in touch so we can start working together. First Name Last Name Email Thanks for submitting! Message Send

Contact our office. Find a link to our staff page. CONTACT US 2412 Taft Road Allegan, MI 49010 Allegan.Admin@macd.org Thanks for reaching out! We will get back with you shortly. Submit Visit our Staff Page for individual email addresses and phone numbers.

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

Grant Funded Projects Photo by Harrison Fitts Kalamazoo Phosphorus Reduction Project This project aims to reduce excessive phosphorus loading in the Kalamazoo River Watershed associated with agricultural sources through a market and performance-based agricultural incentive program. Continue Photo by Harrison Fitts Kalamazoo Phosphorus Reduction Project This project aims to reduce excessive phosphorus loading in the Kalamazoo River Watershed associated with agricultural sources through a market and performance-based agricultural incentive program. Continue

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 Conservation Technician Jason Cass Jason.Cass@macd.org Learn more about Conservation Practices Button

Landowners play a role in environmental conservation in both urban and rural settings. Here are some resources available for all landowners so they feel supported in their pursuit of environmental stewardship. For Landowners The Allegan Conservation District offers a variety of programs and services for landowners to help promote stewardship and conserve our county's natural resources. Continue Invasive Species Management The Allegan Conservation District is able to provide technical assistance, identification, and control of small populations of non-native terrestrial invasive species. Continue Dune Vegetation Removal The Allegan Conservation District is ready to help you get the documentation you need prior to removing dune vegetation. If you need a permit we can help. Continue Forestry Forestry Programs are designed to promote forest resource stewardship by providing support and resources to landowners with forested property. Continue Tree & Plant Identification Contact the Allegan Conservation District with any questions you have about identification of trees, plants, wildlife, or anything in nature.

Farmers have a large responsibility to protect the land they farm, and grow goods to meet today's agricultural demands. Here are the resources and support we provide to farmers. For farmers, growers, and producers Did you know that your yields could increase with a no till system? Did you know that you could save money on fertilizer by leaving your crop residue on your fields? Working with Farm Bill Programs could provide your farm with the cost sharing that will add to your production. Keeping the soil and nutrients on your farmland and out of our streams is a goal we share. Continue MAEAP Verification This proactive voluntary program is an important part of agricultural conservation work in Michigan. If you are a producer of any size or any commodity interested in turning heads of consumers, consider looking at MAEAP certification. Continue No Till Drill Rental Interested in trying out the No-till Drill method. At the Allegan Conservation District we have a drill you can rent and use at your farm. Contact the office for more information. Continue Conservation Plan Together with the NRCS, we help provide a comprehensive plan for conservation on your farm. Contact us today to learn how you can work with us to create a plan that can lead to cost sharing opportunities for developing conservation practices on your farm. Continue Funded Programs Check to see what grant funded opportunities we have available that your farm may be eligible for.

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

There’s Nothing Here... We can’t find the page you’re looking for. Check the URL, or head back home. Go Home

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.