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Spring Native Plant Sale Order Plants Online Here (recommended) Pre-orders due by 5/20/26 Pick-up Date / Day of Sale ~ Saturday, May 30th Time ~ 9:00am - 1:00pm Location ~ 2412 Taft Road, Allegan Mail In Order Form Here Plant Info

We are dedicated to helping all land users wisely manage the natural resources of Allegan County. We strive to achieve this in an economically feasible and sustainable way. Invasive Species Job Opening Mailing List Shop Volunteer NEWSLETTERS AND UPDATES Winter Newsletter 2026 Conservation Easements Workshop District of the Year!

Resources for Invasive Species Treatment and Identification in Allegan County. Learn how you can play your part to keep invasives under control. INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT What are invasive species? Invasive species are plants, animals or fungi that are not native and cause harm or are likely to cause harm to the economy, environment, or human health. Not all non-native species are invasive, but the ones that are out-compete native plant species for vital resources like water and sunlight. The loss of native plants to invasive species is extremely detrimental to local ecosystems, wildlife, infrastructure, and more. Invasive species are a serious threat to biodiversity here in Michigan, and across the world. Allegan Conservation District works to fight against invasive species and protect healthy ecosystems in Allegan county. Japanese Knotweed, photo courtesy of SEWISC Hire the ACD Ecological Strike Team for Control of Invasive Species. The team operates from June to August on a variety of species like invasive bittersweet and Japanese knotweed. The species removal services are for-hire and are funded by an hourly fee paid by landowners. If you are interested in invasive species treatment, please fill out this google form: Hire Strike Team For any questions regarding invasive species management or treatment: Ari Henson, Restoration Coordinator Ari.Henson@macd.org cell: (269) 286-3736 Report Invasive Species to MISIN MISIN is the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network The Allegan Conservation District is a proud member of the West michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (WMCISMA), a partnership of groups and individuals working together to address invasive species in Allegan, Ottawa, Muskegon, Oceana, Kent, Montcalm, and Newaygo Counties The WMCISMA serves the community by securing funding to treat invasive species, providing information on invasive species, and more. For any regional invasive species queries or more information on the WMCISMA, please contact: Murielle Garbarino Murielle.Garbarino@macd.org (616) 842-5852 ext 5 CISMA Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) HWA is an invasive insect native to Japan. It extracts sap from hemlock trees, weakening needles, shoots, and branches. Over time, tree growth slows, and without treatment, infested trees die within 4-10 years. Hemlocks are some of the oldest living trees in Michigan, providing important habitat and winter cover for many species. HWA can be identified by: White, cottony masses about 1/4 the size of cotton swab attached to the twigs, at the base of needles on underside of branches Needle loss and branch die back, no new growth Gray-tinted foliage For more information on Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in West Michigan, please visit Ottawa Conservation District's website (OttawaCD.org). For questions about HWA treatment services, please contact the Forest Pest Specialist at Ottawa Conservation District: Brendan Canavan, Forest Pest Specialist Brendan.Canavan@macd.org (616) 414-2638 Spongy Moth Management Outbreaks of spongy moth are not frequent but are unpleasant. Learn about why populations grow and collapse and how you can deal with their impact. Below are links and videos to help you decide how to manage your Spongy Moth outbreak. ACD Spongy Moth Printable Information Brochure ACD YouTube: Spongy Moth Tree Wrap Tutorial ACD YouTube: Forest Management Spongy Moth Lecture Susceptibility of the ENDANGERED Karner Blue Butterfly to BtK treatment

Order Online Here (recommended) Mail-in Order Form Here

Workshops are listed below. Please contact us with any questions: Allegan.Admin@macd.org * Registration is full. Contact Nathan.Hilbrands@macd.org to be placed on the wait list. Vernal Pool Patrol Date: 3/28/26 Time: 10am Location: Allegan State Game Area 4590 118th Ave, Fennville Purchase Admission: Intro to Herbs & Microgreens Intro to Herbs & Microgreens $35 Date: 4/2/26 Time: 6pm Location: Allegan Conservation District 2412 Taft Rd, Allegan Spring Wildflower Walk *No registration necessary Date: 5/1/26 Time: 10am Location: New Richmond Park 3160 Old Allegan Rd, Fennville More workshops coming soon! Join our mailing list and be the first to know.

Acerca de Cultivating Resilience 2026 Let’s Work Together Get in touch so we can start working together. First Name Last Name Email Thanks for submitting! Message Send

Database of Watershed Management Plans for watersheds in Allegan County. Watershed Management Plans of Allegan County Purpose of a Watershed Management Plan A Watershed Management Plan (WMP) is written to summarize water quality concerns within a watershed, highlight existing conservation programs and resources, and address sources of sediment and pollution. Further, a WMP serves as guidance to stakeholders, landowners, and community members for them to work to improve water quality within the watershed. To learn more about local watersheds and plans to protect them, read the WMPs below. Map courtesy of Ellie Anne Art Rabbit River Watershed Management Plan Rabbit River Watershed Plan Gun River Watershed Management Plan Gun River Watershed Management Plan Gun Watershed Tillage Gun Watershed Appendices & Figures Kalamazoo River Watershed Management Plan Kalamazoo River Watershed Management Plan Black River Watershed Management Plan Black River Watershed Plan Swan Lake Watershed Management Plan Swan Lake Watershed Management Plan Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians Nonpoint Source Management Program Plan Gun Lake Tribe Environmental Programs

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.

Resources on Michigan Native Plant and Tree Identification. TREE AND PLANT IDENTIFICATION Here in the office we can help you identify trees and plants that are located on your property. If you bring in a sample or a picture we can help you out. Useful Links Michigan DNR Tree Identification Guide Michigan Plant & Weed Identification Michigan Natural Features Inventory Books & Educational Materials

Learn more about priority natural resource concerns, and what practices and activities you can implement to protect these resources. Conservation Dictionary Conservation Practices There are a variety of conservation practices farmers and landowners can implement. Depending on the land usage and production of commodities, conservation practices can be applied to best suit the needs of the land, farm, and decision makers. ACD will work with you to best fit your land goals. Habitat Health Humans live in tandem with local wildlife. Wildlife relies on the same land humans use for recreation, farming, commuting and living. Learn more about the impact humans have on wildlife, and best practices to strengthen this relationship. Water Quality & Watershed Management Whether you live in an urban city or a rural township, you live in a watershed. The quality of the water we drink, use to irrigate our farms, and the water used as wildlife habitat is directly affected by how we manage and respect local watersheds. Protecting watersheds is a priority. Soil Health Soil is alive. It is home to billions of microorganisms, bacteria, invertebrates, plants and animals. The healthier the soil, the healthier crop production, plants, air, water and livelihoods will be. Learn more about various soil properties, and how we can work to protect western Michigan soils. Native and Invasive Species Michigan and Allegan County are homes to many plant, animal, and invertebrate species. Some of these species play vital roles in ecosystems, but others can wreak havoc on farms and habitats. Learn more about how to identify native and invasive species, and what to keep an eye out for. Acti vities Do you want to participate in conservation efforts but aren't sure where to start? Explore here for ideas on how you can become an environmental steward in your own backyard, or on the ground beneath your feet. These age appropriate activities allow opportunities for the whole family to get involved! Welcome to the Conservation Dictionary. Allegan Conservation District has a variety of conservation priorities and goals. Click on each priority to explore the topics and to learn more.