Conservation News

Celebrate International Bat Week (Oct. 24–31, 2025)! 🦇 Join us in recognizing the vital role bats play in healthy ecosystems and cheering on Kim Williams-Guillén, WCCD staff and scientist, as she presents “Bats of Wayne County” at Nerd Nite Ann Arbor #103 on Oct. 9, 2025

From vending heritage produce at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market with his father to teaching at U-M, Shannon Brines’ work is rooted in connection — to land, food, and community. As Chair of the WCCD Board, he’s helping strengthen those connections across Washtenaw County and beyond.

Don’t toss your pumpkins! From now through December 15, Washtenaw County residents can drop off pumpkins, gourds, and squash at local farms for free. They’ll be composted, enrich soil, or feed animals—keeping food waste out of landfills and giving pumpkins a second life.

Despite the federal shutdown, the WCCD remains open. Thanks to diverse funding from the State of Michigan, Washtenaw County, local voters, and individual donors, we’ll continue serving our community and advancing conservation priorities without interruption.

Dry spells, $3k in discounts, 12' oaks! Even our smallest plant sale of the year keeps getting more interesting, diverse, and scaling up. We had over 416 pre-orders and 66 extra sales distributing 4100 conifers and nearly 5000 native plants. And Yes, Fall is a good time to plant, but let's hope for some more rain.

MIFarmLink, which began in Ottawa County and was recently housed at WCCD, is moving to the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts to expand statewide. We’re proud to have hosted the program and excited to see it continue connecting farmland owners with the next generation of farmers.

As stewards of land and water, it’s important to understand how large-scale development like data centers can affect groundwater, surface water, and energy use. Two recent reports highlight what this means for our communities and natural resources.

Over 1.3 million Michigan households rely on septic systems to safely treat wastewater. Well maintained septic tanks protect groundwater, lakes, and streams—but when they fail, they can pollute our drinking water and environment. Learn how to keep your system working and avoid costly repairs.

If you’ve picked up native plants, rain barrels, or compost bins from WCCD this spring or summer, chances are Walker Whitehouse helped get them into your hands. As the Conservation District’s seasonal staff member, Walker plays a vital role in executing conservation resource programs across Washtenaw County.