Conservation News

​For the past 41 years The Frosty Apple has been growing apples in Webster Township. The orchard grows twenty-three varieties of apples on about five acres of land.

​The Bird Center of Michigan is very happy with our new native landscape, despite a few challenges we have had with the garden. A majority of the native plants can be found throughout the garden, but we have been struggling to keep up with the weeds encroaching on the southern half of the planting area.

Audeline and Ashley led the installation of a native garden at the Bird Center’s new property, creating a bird-friendly matrix design using WCCD grant plants. Volunteers helped prep and plant the area, overcoming challenges like plant availability and scheduling. Ongoing care, including watering and weeding, is planned to ensure the garden thrives and supports local wildlife.

​Every five years, the WCCD conducts a resource assessment to identify natural resource/environmental concerns in Washtenaw County, how residents use WCCD, and how we can best assist residents. The RESULTS ARE IN and have been helping WCCD staff determine what programs to expand, create, and plan for in the future.

The WCCD has been receiving reports of spongy moth (Lymantria dispar L., formerly gypsy moth) caterpillar infestations from multiple landowners across Washtenaw County who have experienced the caterpillars and their frass (excrement) rain down on belongings, pets, and themselves. Spongy moths are an invasive species, meaning they are not native and cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.

Soon our gardens will be alive with pollinators, including butterflies and moths. If you would like to encourage butterflies and moths to your garden, here are steps to take to create a habitat for them.

In 2021, Linda was involved with just about every volunteer opportunity with the WCCD. As legend has it, she was asked to help take some photos for the rain gardens, and, in her words: “I’ll do it until I get bored, and that was 8 years ago!”

Tom and Marti Burbeck’s Beacon Springs Farm was recently verified in the MAEAP program. If you feel like you heard that before, that is because it was only in August that Tom and Marti were featured for becoming verified in their Farmstead and Cropping systems. This time around, Beacon Springs Farm became verified in the Forest, Wetland and Habitat system.

Within 10 years, approximately 35% of all Michigan farmers will retire. While these impacts to the region’s farming landscape and culture have been significant, Washtenaw County is fortunate to have several land conservation groups working to address these challenges. One example if the City of Ann Arbor’s Greenbelt Program.