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Allegan Conservation District is here to serve you and lend a helping hand. Call us today, or look through our services and programs to see how we can offer technical assistance. Our Services Workshops The Allegan Conservation District is now offering workshops. Keep your eyes out for updates on new classes we will be offering. Continue No-till Drill Rental Want to try No-till but not ready to invest in a drill? We have one you can rent and try out the practice on a few or many acres. Continue Invasive Species ACD offers management workshops to help our community learn about invasive species and what they can do to help. We encourage landowners to contact us for assistance in identifying and controlling unwanted invasive species. Continue Spring Seedling Sale Our annual Spring Seedling Sale was held on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Keep your eyes out for our FALL SALE sometime in September 2026. Annual Native Plant Sale The annual Spring Native Plant Sale was on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Keep your eyes out for our FALL SALE sometime in September 2026.

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 Mailing List Shop Volunteer NEWSLETTERS AND UPDATES Winter Newsletter 2026 Conservation Easements Workshop District of the Year!

Activities, events, and workshops are listed below. Please contact us with any questions: Allegan.Admin@macd.org / (269) 466-1140 M-89 Boat Launch Clean Up Day Register by email: Allegan.Admin@macd.org Date: 6/3/26 Time: 10am - noon Location: M-89 Bridge Boat Launch *2.5 miles down West M89 from the intersection of M40 and M89 out of Allegan and towards Fennville (west of M-40) Community Walk with the District *No registration necessary & child friendly Date: 6/11/26 Time: 10am Location: Wade Memorial Nature Sanctuary 3270 62nd St, Saugatuck

There will be tree seedlings available to purchase the day of the sale! We will see you Saturday, April 25th between 9:00am and 2:00pm.

Allegan Conservation District is home to original, historic aerial photographs of Allegan County. Photos are available for purchase. HISTORIC AERIAL PHOTOS The Allegan Conservation District houses and cares for Historic Aerial Photos. These photos were taken over the course of several years and cover all of Allegan County. If you are interested in purchasing copies of these photos please contact us at the office. This is an incredible record of Allegan County and how it has developed. Years Available 1938, 1950, 1955, 1960, 1967, and 1980 Cost Cost to have an ACD employee locate the photos you are interested in viewing: $5.00 Cost per copy: $1.00 Print and digital copies are priced the same.

Gun River Watershed Implementation The Allegan Conservation District is accepting applications for a new cost share program in eastern Allegan and western Barry counties. Producers with fields in the Gun River Watershed are eligible for funding to trial or expand use of cover crops, strip till, or no till. Cost share payments range from $18 to $79/acre/year based on how practices are implemented (for example, number of cover crop species planted). As a local program, funding is guaranteed through 2026, and participation in Federal/ USDA recordkeeping is not required. The program is designed to encourage practices that reduce input costs, prevent erosion and runoff, build soil health, and improve productivity. If you're already trying these practices, contact us to find out how you can still qualify for funding. Contact Jason Cass for details at 269-454-1487 / Jason.Cass@macd.org Cost Share Flyer Program Guidance & Application Gun River Watershed Map

Active Project to assess non-point source polution in the Green Lake Watershed. This project aims to protect fisheries, aquatic resources, and the public. Green Lake Watershed Assessment Project Description Green Lake in Allegan County currently supports a strong cisco population and is one of a small number of healthy cisco lakes remaining in Michigan. However, nutrient runoff from agricultural land (52% of the watershed) and urban land (42% of the shore land) is a concern. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has identified Green Lake as a conservation priority because of its high water quality, the presence of cisco, and vulnerability to human disturbances. This project aims to assess the health of the lake and its catchment area, invest community members in water quality monitoring, create nutrient budget for the lake, and create a lake management plan. After this assessment, best management practices (BMPs) can be implemented to maintain a healthy cisco habitat, Green Lake’s aesthetic values, and recreational opportunities. This project is funded by the Fisheries Habitat Grant Program (FHGP) through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. FHGP supports conservation activities to protect fisheries, aquatic resources, and the public. Inherently, the activities carried through this grant will conserve fish and aquatic species habitat, increase the quality of lake-based recreation, and preserve the health of our local waters. Allegan Conservation District was granted funds to support Green Lake because of our need to protect the cisco population that inhabits the water. While Green Lake is one of the few remaining healthy cisco lakes in Michigan, it is under threat due to urban development near the lakeshore, nutrient runoff from agricultural land, and warming of the surface water temperature due to climate change. Purpose and Background Why is it important to protect Cisco? Cisco are native to the Great Lakes and to inland lakes of Michigan, weaving them into our local economy, recreational activities, and aquatic ecosystems. While cisco are desirable to recreational and commercial fishers, they are also essential to the diet of other native fish species. Since cisco require cold, deep lakes with high water quality and well-oxygenated water, they can serve as an indicator to let scientists know when water quality in a lake is degrading. In other words, if cisco are present, the ecosystem and water quality of the lake is likely healthy, but if cisco populations are dropping, that is an indicator of low water quality. This lower water quality can also impact native species such as northern pike and largemouth bass who may depend on cisco for food. Protecting Cisco means we can protect entire ecosystems. Cisco - Photo courtesy of Michigan Sea Grant. Why are Runoff and Climate Change Threats? Agricultural nutrient runoff poses threats to all watersheds in Allegan county. Commonly used fertilizers, especially ones that contain phosphorus and nitrogen, are needed for plant growth on our farms, but they also support unwanted plant growth when they are carried by runoff into bodies of water. This causes an excess of nutrients in our waters, a process called eutrophication. A primary concern with eutrophication is how it can cause algae blooms in lakes. Algae blooms are a host for several further problems - decreased levels of dissolved oxygen in the water, release of harmful toxins, outcompeting beneficial plants that animals feed on, degraded fish habitat, and decreased quality of recreational activities. Additionally, sediment runoff from farmlands and urban areas increases the turbidity of the water, which again, decreases the water quality needed to sustain aquatic life. The problems caused by runoff affect water at all depths, but depending on the scenario, can affect the health of lake bottoms - thus, forcing fish populations to move closer to the water surface to find better water quality. While runoff is causing problems on the bottom of the lakes, climate change is posing threats from the surface. Some fish species, especially Cisco, prefer to live in cool waters – so as water temperatures rise due to climate change, fish begin to search for the colder water found at deeper lake depths. This movement of fish can cause drastic changes in aquatic ecosystems. In tandem, the threats of runoff and climate change are essentially “sandwiching” aquatic species into smaller habitats in middle lake depths. Read this article by The Detroit Free Press to learn more about how water quality and climate change are affecting fish populations. How We Are Stepping In For now, Green Lake is still sustaining a healthy ecosystem, but the Department of Natural Resources has identified Green Lake as a conservation priority. The Allegan Conservation District is teaming up with local volunteers to assess the severity of current sources of sediment and nutrient pollution. This initial assessment will allow us to develop a nutrient budget that will protect Green Lake’s health. After the assessment is complete, we will work with partners to develop Best Management Practices (BMPs) and a Green Lake Watershed Management Plan. The implementation of our management plan and best practices will serve to protect Green Lake before essential ecosystems are permanently damaged.

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

Upcoming volunteer events, community outreach, educational opportunities, and board meetings. EVENTS *If viewing on a mobile device, scroll to the right side of the calendar & click "Agenda" to see in list view. The Allegan Conservation District Board Meetings occur on the third Monday of every month at 4:00pm. Meetings are open to the public, & are held at the Allegan Conservation District office: 2412 Taft Road, Allegan, MI 49010 ANNUAL MEETING & ELECTION will be held on August 18,2026. If you are interested in joining our board please download the nomination petition (button located at bottom of every page on this website) & return to the ACD office by 6/18/26.

Your District Produce Safety Technician will work with you to improve produce safety practices, prepare producers for future inspections, and give one-on-one support for produce management.  Produce Safety Produce Safety Technician Program Michigan is unique in that it is the only State to offer a Produce Safety Technician Program to it's farmers and produce producers. This program offers a variety of services to producers, all with a goal of helping to grow tasty and safe to eat produce. This program is entirely voluntary. The Michigan On Farm Produce Safety Program is non-regulatory, free of cost, and confidential. Your district Produce Safety Technician will work with you to improve produce safety practices, prepare producers for future inspections, and give one-on-one support for produce management. Other services include: Produce Safety Risk Assessments On-Farm Readiness Review so farmers feel prepared to implement the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Farm Visits Action Plan Development Water Testing Training Protocols Record Keeping Wash Pack Consultations Microbial Risk Mitigation Visit the Produce Safety Website Button For more information, or to schedule a service, please contact our local Produce Safety Technician. Patrick Gordon Produce Safety Technician Berrien County Conservation District Patrick.Gordon@macd.org (517) 331-0093

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