Claire Peterson

Featuring Bruce Washburn Bruce Washburn has worked with the Department of Environmental Quality for over eight years. He is part of a team of compliance staff in the Concentrated Ani-mal Feeding Operation Program that assist farms with protecting water quality and he is also the statewide program specialist where he works on broader program is-sues. Additionally, he works with non-permitted farms and watershed groups to address non-point source water quality concerns. Bruce earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineer-ing from Michigan Technological University. He grew-up on a row crop farm and still does a little farming. Agenda: PROGRAM UPDATES STAFF REPORTS SILENT AUCTION Catered By: Chef Jacob Pahssen The dinner menu in-cludes: Stuffed Sweet Peppers Michigan Apple Salad Butternut Squash Soup Braised Short Ribs TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AT OUR OFFICE FOR $25.00 178 N. GRAHAM RD., SAGINAW, MI 48609 989.781.1720

The title of this year’s conference is “Increasing Habitat, Reducing Threats” and will feature topics on programs that help homeowners manage their entire lakefront property in a healthy manner including the MI Shoreland Stewards Program and the WI Healthy Lakes Program, finding data on Michigan’s lakes with the MI lake habitat viewer, dealing with invasive species in shoreline projects and new products for bio-engineering erosion control. Date: Thursday March 9th Time: 9:30am - 3:45pm Location: Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center-Lincoln Room East Lansing MI Cost: Early bird registration is $45.00 and includes lunch. Late registration after February 25 is $50.00, including lunch. Walk-ins are accepted but lunch is not guaranteed. Online Registration: www.iwr.msu.edu/events/ANRWeekFor further information, please contact: Lois Wolfson at wolfson1@msu.edu or 517-353-9222.

The 2017 Great Lakes conference, “The Great Lakes: Moving Michigan Forward” is scheduled for Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing, MI. The one day conference, beginning at 9:00 AM incorporates ideas generated by Michigan State University’s Water Moves, a university-wide initiative fostering scientific innovation and cultural and artistic expression inspired by water. Keynote addresses will be given by Dr. Joan Rose, Professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University and recent recipient of the 2016 International Stockholm Water Prize, speaking on global public health issues, and Mr. Jon Allen, Director of the Office of the Great Lakes, presenting the next steps in Michigan’s Water Strategy. Other talks will focus on phosphorus, agriculture and Lake Erie; water monitoring using drones; rip currents and safety; green infrastructure and “arts in the wild,” and acoustic telemetry in the Great Lakes. Registration fee is $10. The conference is co-sponsored by Michigan State University’s Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and Institute of Water Research; Michigan Sea Grant Extension, and the Office of the Great Lakes, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. To see a complete agenda and register, visit: www.iwr.msu.edu/events/ANRWeek or call (517) 353-9222.

In addition to the annual Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP) training to be held in conjunction with the 2017 Michigan Lake and Stream Associations Annual Conference, MiCorps staff will also be offering a training session in the western Upper Peninsula to teach residents how to get involved in the program and how to monitor their lakes. This free training is required for a number of different parameters offered by the program. Whether you have been involved with the program for a number of years, just getting started, or just curious as to how it may help you protect your favorite lake, everyone is encouraged and invited to attend this free event. Food, lodging, and transportation are the responsibility of each attendee. A lunch will be available to order. CLMP UP Training Agenda Please RSVP to: Jim Novitski, jjnovitski@gmail.com Please Note: To monitor your lake through the CLMP, you need to register at www.micorps.net/lake-monitoring/become-a-volunteer, or contact Jean Roth at jroth@mlswa.org or 989-257-3715. The CLMP training is free, but there are small fees to enroll in the program itself. Anyone interested is welcome at the free training, whether their lake is enrolled in the program or not.

In conjunction with the 2017 Michigan Lake and Stream Associations Annual Conference, MiCorps will also be offering training on the lake monitoring techniques used in the Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP). All CLMP participants enrolled in a parameter that they have not previously done should try to join us for this training. Depending on the type of monitoring you will be conducting, your attendance at these trainings may be required in order to participate in the program (see below). These trainings are also open to any lake monitors who would like to learn these methods or are interested in a refresher. Pre-registration is required to attend these sessions. Check back for more details later this winter. Training recommended but not required Secchi Disk Transparency Spring or Summer Total Phosphorus Training required Chlorophyll-a Dissolved Oxygen and Temperature Score the Shore (Lakeshore Habitat Assessment) Exotic Aquatic Plant Watch Aquatic Plant Mapping These CLMP training sessions are offered free of charge to all CLMP enrollees; however, participants are responsible for all associated lodging, meals, and travel expenses to attend. Please note: CLMP enrollees who wish to attend the Michigan Lake and Stream Associations Annual Conference sessions must register for the Conference and pay the appropriate registration fees. The Michigan Lake and Stream Associations Annual Conference is a separate event, with a separate registration and fees. Questions? More information and an online registration form for the CLMP training sessions will be available later this winter. Please contact Jean Roth (jroth@mlswa.org, 989-257-3715) with any questions.

The Current is a speed networking webinar series for professionals engaged in water-related extension, research, and conservation activities. The North Central Region Water Network and Extension Directors from all 12 North Central states are sponsoring this series to highlight the best water-related research and Extension programming in the region. Webinars will run for 60 minutes, with three 10-minute project snapshots and 30 minutes of QA/peer-to-peer interaction. Tim Cambell, aquatic invasive species outreach specialist for the University of Wisconsin-Extension, UW Sea Grant, and the Wisconsin DNR Paul Skawinski and Erin McFarlane, University of Wisconsin-Extension: Wisconsin’s Citizen Monitoring program for aquatic invasive species, and Clean Boats, Clean Waters Jo Latimore, Michigan State University: Michigan’s Citizen Monitoring program for aquatic invasive species Eleanor Burkett, University of Minnesota Extension: Minnesota’s NEW AIS Detector Program To Register: http://northcentralwater.org/the-current/?utm_source=January%3A+The+Current+Webinar+24&utm_campaign=CC_NCRWN_Webinar5Announcement&utm_medium=email

The Stewardship Network is pleased to bring you two great days of informative presentations, networking sessions and workshops that will focus on the Science, Practice & Art of Restoring Native Ecosystems. Join us on January 13 & 14 for a great line up presentations; connect with natural areas professionals, volunteers, and researchers with decades of experience as well as students and newcomers to the field. Discover new ideas and techniques that you will into practice in your daily work. Through plenary talks, focused presentations and workshops, conference participants will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of ecosystem restoration. For more information, please visit: https://www.stewardshipnetwork.org/2017-stewardship-network-conference

“Invasive Species and the Battle For the Future of the Great Lakes” speaker program is being held on Wednesday, December 7th, 2016 beginning 7:30 pm at the Royal Oak Middle School (709 N. Washington). There are more than 180 exotic species in the Great Lakes. Some have had little or no impact so far. But a handful of others are conducting an all-out assault on the Great Lakes and are winning the battle. Join author Bill Rapai for a program on who these creatures are, how they got here, the damage they are doing, and what we can to do control them and stop their spread. Presented by the Royal Oak Nature Society The event is free to attend and registration is not required For more information about this event, please contact: naturesociety@romi.gov

Conference Overview The 12th annual Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) conference will feature presentations from volunteers around the state, regional experts, and Michigan DEQ and MiCorps staff. Presentations will cover both lake and stream topics of interest and success stories from volunteer monitoring efforts. In particular, this year’s conference will focus on the use of volunteer monitoring data to inform management decisions, protect and improve water quality, and will feature a keynote presentation by Dr. Kristine (Kris) Stepenuck, Extension Assistant Professor of Watershed Science, Policy and Education at the University of Vermont’s Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. Optional training for both beginners and advanced volunteer monitors will take place on Wednesday, November 2nd (see below). These training sessions are free of charge to all interested participants (pre-registration is required to attend); however, there is a registration fee of $45 to participate in the conference sessions beginning on Thursday, November 3rd. Conference Program Register now (Registration Deadline: October 26th) Please contact Laura Kaminski (laurak@glc.org or 734-971-9135) at the Great Lakes Commission for more information

Saginaw Bay Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area MISIN treatment training webinar

MISC Annual Partner Meeting December 5-6, 2016 Treetops Resort Registration in available here

Join the discussion on how plants can be more than decoration in a backyard. In the past, we have asked one thing of our gardens: that they bring beauty to our homes. Now we understand they can also support life, sequester carbon, feed pollinators and manage water. Steve Keto will discuss the important ecological roles of native plants in our landscapes and emphasize the benefits of designing gardens with plants that do much more than add beauty to our yards. Park Information Directions: Follow M-37 north out of Newaygo 3 1/2 miles and the find the Welcome Center on the right hand side. This is also known as the Newaygo County Sports Park and the building we are in is actually called the John Graves Lodge. None of the names for the location will bring up a link with mapping and/or directions. There is signage on M-37 for the Newaygo County Welcome Center. Registration is encouraged, but not required. You can register using the link below. https://www.stewardshipnetwork.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=87

You will be trained to identify and report Japanese knotweed and other invasive species. Meet at the pavilions on the island and please come prepared with proper attire for outdoor work.

You will be trained by Conservation District and MSU Landscape Services staff to recognize black swallow-wort and other invasive species, then you can enjoy the outdoors on the Lansing River Trail. Please come prepared with proper attire for outdoor work. Lunch will be provided Please register here.

Registration & Fee Required Come out in the woods with us to see Oak Wilt first hand! We will also get the latest on the Wooly Adelgid, check insect traps, and learn to take Sentinel Tree Program measurements. Program and Speakers: Nick Sanchez, Conservation District Forester - West MI Tree Health & Forestry Assistance Program John Bedford, MDARD Pest Response Program Specialist- Forest Highlights & Woolly Adelgid Heidi Frei, DNR Natural Resources Steward – Oak Wilt Control at PJ Hoffmaster James Wieferich & Dr. Sara Tanis, MSU Entomology Researchers - Lead Hike to Observe Insects Traps and Demonstrate Sentinel Tree Program Measurements Cost: $20.00 for The Stewardship Network Members/$25.00 nonmembers. Free park parking! Includes light continental breakfast 4 pesticide CEUs, plus forestry CFES Visit www.stewardshipnetwork.org to register (click on West MI Cluster and page down to find workshop registration)

TOUR SCHEDULE 9:45 a.m. - Registration 10:15 a.m. - Load tour bus at the Coopersville Family Fare Supermarket (1181 W Randall St, Coopersville, MI 49404) 10:30 a.m. - Langeland Farms (solar photovoltaic and energy conservation) 12 p.m. - Lunch at the Ottawa County Fillmore Complex (funding opportunities) 1 p.m. - Harvest Blue Acres (bioenergy crops) 2 p.m. - GDW Turkey Farms (energy conservation) 3:30 p.m. - Arrive back at the parking lot TOUR DESCRIPTION GDW Turkey Farms finishes approximately 600,000 turkeys at four different sites in Ottawa County. In 2013 an agricultural energy audit was conducted at each site. The audit recommended making lighting improvements, upgrading to infrared tube heaters, adding insulation, installing insulated doors, and planting a windbreak. Topics that will be covered at this farm include the impact of energy conservation practices on animal welfare, employee safety, energy conservation, and reducing energy expenses. Langeland Farms is a poultry and dairy farm located in Ottawa County. In 2014 the farm installed a 124 kW solar array. Electricity generated is sold to Consumers Energy. Topics that will be covered include how solar PV, replacing lights in the coop, compressor replacement and other energy conservation measures have reduced electricity consumption and expenses. Harvest Blue Acres is a blueberry farm in Oceana County. The farm is participating in a biomass-to-energy study to determine the feasibility of manufacturing high quality switchgrass fuel pellets for home and industrial heating use. Topics that will be discussed include growing switchgrass, the results of the feasibility study, what has been learned in producing densified switchgrass, and using switchgrass in blueberries as a mulch for weed control. This presentation will be given right after lunch. During lunch attendees will learn how to access grants, low interest loans, and rebates to implement energy conservation practices. REGISTRATION INFORMATION There is no charge for this tour due to a grant from the Michigan Energy Office. However, registration is required. Please call the Ottawa County Extension office at 616-994-4540 by August 10 and leave a message with a contact name and phone number and the number of individuals who will be coming. This is a bus tour and all registrants will be expected to ride the tour bus. Please do not drive your vehicle to a tour stop. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting Charles Gould at 616-994-4547 by Aug. 10, 2016, to make arrangements. Requests received after this date will be fulfilled when possible.

When: Saturday, September 24 — Time TBDWhere: TBD

When: Friday, September 23 — Time TBDWhere: Clay Cliffs Natural Area, Leland

When: Saturday, September 10 — Time TBDWhere: TBD