Conservation News

Join us in congratulating Terry & Shelia Calhoun on being selected as the 2024 WCCD Tree Conservationists of the Year!

Join us in congratulating Kim Bayer for being selected as the 2024 Small and/or Beginning Farmer of the Year!

Join us in congratulating the Henes Family for being selected as the 2024 Conservation Farmers of the Year!

Thanks to all of the applicants for the 2024 School and Community Habitat Grant. We had 16 tremendous applications submitted for this year’s program. The evaluation committee selected 6 projects from the following organizations: The Farm at Trinity, Risdon Park in Saline, Mill Creek Middle School, Lyndon Township Hall, Ann Arbor STEAM Northside, EMU Children’s Institute.

In 2024, the WCCD collaborated with researchers from U-M Graham Sustainability Institute's Center for Empowering Communities to present on utility-scale rural solar energy systems in three townships. These presentations were inspired by questions from community members at land management and preservation presentations.

We've had the same website for nearly 10 years! It was becoming a bit unwieldy and unorganized as our organization grew and outgrew the website. We're pleased to have completed and launched a new and improved website to best serve our residents and region!

The Conservation Districts Employees of Michigan (CDEM) serve the employees of conservation districts throughout the state of Michigan, and provides annual recognition awards. At the winter conference, our Resource Specialist, Doug Reith, was awarded "Employee of the Year" for Region 10.

The well water testing on October 5th was one for the record books, with 142 samples tested! The event is a collaboration between Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw County Health Department and WCCD. EMU students screened water samples and discussed results with the residents. Educational materials were provided on common issues with groundwater contamination. Click below to learn more about drinking water services in our county!

Two staff members are transitioning into new roles at the WCCD!
John Scaramucci will be the new Conservation Technician (MAEAP).
Matthew DeJonge will be the new Community Forester.