As you may have heard, the federal government has officially entered a shutdown. For many Conservation Districts across the country, this creates uncertainty. Districts that share offices with federal partners, rely heavily on federal funds, or depend on federally maintained infrastructure may face disruptions to their operations.
At the Washtenaw County Conservation District (WCCD), we are fortunate to be in a stronger position. Thanks to diverse and resilient funding and strong local support, our office will remain open and our staff will continue serving the community during this shutdown.
Why WCCD is Different
- Local and State Investment: WCCD’s funding comes from multiple sources, including the State of Michigan, Washtenaw County government, and local millage support approved by county voters. These resources give us stability even when federal systems pause.
- Community Donations: In addition to public funding, we receive generous support from individual donors who care deeply about conservation in our county. This helps us adapt quickly and continue to deliver programs.
- Local Infrastructure: Unlike many districts, WCCD’s office and support systems are co-located with Washtenaw County government, not federal service centers. This means our access to office space, phones, internet, and supplies is not affected by a federal closure.
- Resilient Planning: We’ve built strong internal systems for finance, communications, and project management. This allows us to continue moving forward on most priorities, even when federal partnerships temporarily slow down.
What This Means for You
During the shutdown, WCCD will:
- Remain open during normal office hours.
- Continue offering programs, workshops, and resources.
- Advance our conservation priorities with landowners, farmers, and residents.
- Stay connected with partners and community members to minimize any disruption.
Some programs that involve direct federal staff or approvals may be delayed—but the vast majority of our work will continue without interruption.
Gratitude for Our Supporters
We want to thank the State of Michigan, Washtenaw County government, and the voters of Washtenaw County for making this resilience possible. And we’re especially grateful to the individual donors who invest directly in conservation. Your contributions help ensure that, even in uncertain times, WCCD can remain strong and responsive.
If you’d like to help strengthen local conservation, consider making a gift today: washtenawcd.org/donate
Together, we’re keeping conservation strong in Washtenaw County.