Sarah Nelson, executive director of the Barry Conservation District, gave Barry County Commissioners the district’s annual report Tuesday. Nelson gave an overview of the district’s programs and accomplishments in 2018, and “a sense of how the district benefits the county.”
The district programs Nelson described were:
*The Forest Assistance Program that helps private land owners better manage their forestry resources
*The Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program helps farmers meet generally accepted farming practices
*The Forest Wetlands and Habitat System verification program showcases efforts of forest wetlands and habitat owners.
*The Barry, Calhoun Kalamazoo Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area is a large group of organizations working to combat invasive species in those areas.
*The Thornapple River Watershed non-point pollution solution source management program provides informational programs in Eaton and Barry counties and on farm visits seeking potential ways to reduce non-point pollution in farming practices.
*The Thornapple River Cleanup Program, an annual event where volunteers clean up about 60 miles of the river.
*On Youth Day, Barry County families are invited to bring their children to Charlton Park for them to try some three dozen outdoor activities. The annual event is community sponsored, funded entirely by donations.
*The Wildlife Habitat Project, a two year project that ends this year, restored fen, prairie grassland and Oak savanna and mixed Oak forest on three county properties.
Nelson named three ways that local units of government can get involved with the district and what they do; invasive species management, developing land management plans for property they own and in qualified forest program referrals. For details, officials should call the district, she said.
Coming up: In August, a Shoreline Symposium, in September, Youth Day, the annual Thornapple River Cleanup and a Natural
Shoreline Workshop at Charlton Park and in October, a Forest Management Field Day.
Nelson ended the report by thanking the commission.
“I think that with the support we get from you all, we’re able to provide really great services and programs to the people of Barry County and we’re really grateful we have that opportunity.”
