About KCD - Kalamazoo Conservation District

Kalamazoo Conservation District

Conservation Districts are unique local units of State Government established under state law to carry out a program for conservation, use and development of soil, water, and related resources. Conservation Districts utilize state, federal and private sector resources to solve today's conservation problems.

Conservation Districts are referred to as "gateways in their local communities. They provide linkages between land managers and a host of conservation service providers that include state, federal and local governments, conservation organizations, and Internet resources. Conservation Districts continuously scan the needs of their local communities, work in partnership with others involved in conservation to set local priorities, and develop action plans to solve natural resource problems. The delivery of these efforts by Conservation Districts allows citizens to manage their private lands for a cleaner, healthier Michigan. It allows the public a point of access in their communities when questions arise on how to manage natural resources.

Kalamazoo Conservation District (KCD) organized in 1947 for the purpose of "providing local guidance and involvement in the promotion of soil conservation in Kalamazoo County". The Conservation District operates under the direction of a board of five directors. The Board oversees the development and implementation of soil and water conservation activity in the county. The office is located at 1911 West Centre Avenue in Portage, Michigan and houses' district staff, as well as, the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) personnel.

Our Mission

"Protecting Soil & Water for Generations; not only today's generation but future generations." In order to do this we must work closely with the community, identifying areas of need and then partnering with others who have similar goals. We do not take the protection of our environment lightly. It is an important task and if our nation is to retain its productivity we need to protect our soils, maintain our water quality, and implement technologies and practices that are environmentally friendly. By working together we can make a difference in the protection of our natural resources.

Programs and Services Provided:

Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program (MGSP)
Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP)
Conservation tree program
Spring and fall Seedling Sale
Forestry Information
Windbreak Planting and Maintenance
Wildlife Habitat Planning

Other services provided:
Topographic Maps (for viewing only)*

Historical Aerial Photos (for viewing only) Years Available:
1938, 1950, 1960, 1967,1974
(Please note that there is a $25 fee for viewing the aerial photos)

Floodplain Maps (not for purchase)*

Soil Survey Books*

Kalamazoo County Wetland Maps* (for viewing only)

Products We Offer:
2007 KALAMAZOO COUNTY PLAT BOOKS
The Kalamazoo Conservation District offers plat map books for $25 per book. These include delineated school districts, lake depth maps, city maps and a 2-page highway map. Primary and secondary roads are shown along with city boundaries, waterways, and federal, state, and county land. Great as a reference for hunting and fishing.

DEER REPELLANT - made by Plantskydd. Plantskydd lasts for up to six months is non-toxic, biodegradable, and a 100% natural product. Soluble powder concentrate can be purchased for $24.95/package. It's a 1 lb. package that treats approximately 200-400 plants or seedlings. A 1 quart liquid spray can be purchased for $21.95/bottle.

RABBIT/SMALL RODENT REPELLANT - made by Plantskydd. This product is similar to Plantskydd's deer repellant but comes in granules and can be purchased for $14.95/1 lb. package which covers approximately 600 square feet when applied as directed. This product can be purchased at the Kalamazoo Conservation District in Portage. For more information about Plantsykdd, contact the Kalamazoo Conservation District or visit www.plantskydd.com

LAKESCAPING FOR WILDLIFE
This book shows how to plan and plant a diverse natural lakeshore landscape. Read about techniques to restore wildlife habitat, wildflowers, and clean water-preserve or restore the natural beauty around you. The principles and techniques in this book are also applicable for landscaping along rivers, streams, and wetlands.

LANDSCAPING FOR WILDLIFE
This book offers easy-to-follow, affordable landscape plans specifically aimed toward the Midwestern climate. Designs for butterfly and hummingbird gardens are included as well as infromation on how to attract everything from cardinals to wood ducks, songbirds and deer.

WOODWORKING FOR WILDLIFE
This book features many different diagrams for building shelters for birds and mammals. Plans for the Peterson bluebird house, bat houses, and platforms for the great horned owl are included.

All of these books can be purchased at the Kalamazoo Conservation District.

Local Education Projects

The Kalamazoo County “Creating a Legacy” for Generations to Come was one of the most successful Farmland Preservation workshops in the State of Michigan. Several hundred interested agricultural producers, developers and local government representatives, attended the two-day program. Speakers included Land Use planner Susan Craft from Burlington County, New Jersey. Susan spearheaded land use initiatives across the county and was instrumental in implementing farmland preservation, open space preservation, strategic revitalization initiative and transfer of development rights. The nuts and bolts of implementing a successful countywide TDR program was introduced by case study examples. David Skjaerlund of the Rural Development Council of Michigan gave an overview of Farmland Preservation Options to landowners. Other speakers discussed planning and zoning for agriculture preservation at the township level. Pennsylvania farmer Luke Brubaker, part of the “Ultimate Farmland Tour” sold his property development rights to his Pennsylvania County and shared his success story. Sponsors and presenters for the workshop include American Farmland Trust, Farm Bureau, Four Township Water Resource Council, RC&D Council, Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, WMU/GEM Center and the Kalamazoo Conservation District.

Conservorama continues to be one of the best educational efforts at the elementary school level. For the past 33 years, from 500-1200 students have attended this field trip to the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary. Students learn their place in the ecosystem by watching birds of prey, seeing reptiles and amphibians and their habitat, and learning forest management. They “make” soil, “find” energy and see how human actions affect the aquifer with a groundwater simulator. Over three days, many volunteers will have given presentations on renewable, non-renewable and sustainable natural resources. The Kalamazoo County Commissioners fund this program.

Watershed Efforts

Clean Michigan Initiative money became available last year for implementation projects in several watersheds. The Kalamazoo Conservation District will be administrating a grant to reduce sedimentation at 10-12 sites along the Kalamazoo River Watershed. The primary goal is help restore and de-list the Kalamazoo River as an Area of Concern. This project has been highlighted by the MDEQ as one of the most unique projects in the state for its scope and partnerships. Best Management Practices will be applied at both urban and rural sites in three counties. Partners include the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council, Calhoun Conservation District, Allegan Conservation District, respective Road Commissions, USDA-NRCS, Resource Conservation and Development Councils (RC&D) for each county and engineering firm Kieser and Associates. On July 17, 2001, Senator Dale Shugars introduced Lieutenant Governor Dick Posthumus who handed a check for $213,830.00 to Administrator Kathleen Buckham and Chairman Larry Leach. Russell Harding, Director of MDEQ approved the contract and attended the press conference.

Portage/Arcadia Creek 319. The State approved a $249,506 grant for Portage and Arcadia Creek Watershed Plan. The Forum for Kalamazoo received a Section 319 grant from MDEQ for two creeks that feed into the Kalamazoo River. Portage and Arcadia Creeks drain 36,344 acres in Oshtemo, Texas, Portage and Kalamazoo Townships. The grant will fund planning to reduce phosphorus loading by erosion and sedimentation. Once approved, this plan will allow other groups to apply for funding to implement projects along Portage and Arcadia Creeks. A number of local partners have come forward to partner in this two-year project, which also welcomes participation from citizens and local agencies. One of the most unique features of this grant is the interactive website created for public input. The Conservation District working with The Forum and other project partners will provide information dissemination and public education. Visit the webpage at www.kalamazooriver.net and click Online Discussion Forum, then register as a First Time User.

Buffer, buffers, buffers…

Native Prairie Grass Planting. Funded through the Great Lakes Commission, a native prairie grass planting will control erosion on an industrial site. Graph Packaging Corporation in Kalamazoo noted an erosion control problem along the Kalamazoo River. USDA-NRCS provided the engineering plans for the project that applied Best Management Practices for sedimentation along the riverbank. Kieser & Associates in partnership with Graph Packaging seeded the site for a “natural” prairie appearance. The Conservation District supplied some labor and native plants to the project. Visit http://www.kieser-associates.com and click on the prairie site for more information.

Native Wildflowers. Urban storm water is a significant contributor of phosphorus to the Kalamazoo River. A beautiful site along Oakland at the Lakeside Learning Center is now seeded with native grasses and wildflowers to decrease the erosion along the bank. Many people interested in improving water quality through native plantings began the project last September. The Kalamazoo Nature Center provided the plants, a few members of the District planted and many helpers from Master Gardeners and Wild Ones participated. Please note the sign at the site for other sponsors.

Going Native at the Office. District employees and Earthteam volunteers took advantage of the situation when snow-burdened junipers began dying off in front of the office. With permission from the landlord, old landscaping brush was yanked and new plants obtained. Many wildflowers and grasses are getting established for the demonstration. Pictures and descriptions are available in the office. Birdhouses and birdfeeders will be added in 2002. Thanks to the St. Joseph Conservation District and the Kalamazoo Nature Center for the plants. Thanks to volunteers and employees for the labor. Come on down and take a look.

Download File: Local Projects in Education Report

CMI

Kalamazoo River Watershed Critical Erosion Sites. In partnership with Allegan and Calhoun Conservation Districts, Kalamazoo, Allegan and Calhoun Road Commissions and USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service and RC&D councils, work was started on nine critical erosion sites in the watershed - one sitealong the Kalamazoo River behind the Kalamazoo Water Reclamation Plant. Due to the efforts of the City of Kalamazoo, Kieser & Associates and the Conservation District, over 900 ft. of river have been vegetated. Willow stakes, silky and red osier dogwoods and native wildflowers are part of the engineering plans to enhance streambank stabilization efforts.

Axtell Creek
The Axtell Creek subwatershed covers 1,519 acres in the City of Kalamazoo in the west-southwest portion of the city. Last year, local 7th graders and their teachers helped in planting native species, cleaning up litter, and digging up purple-loosestrife along the creek from Maple Street to Howard Street. Other partners in this project included: Wild Ones, Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, The Forum, Master Gardeners, Kalamazoo Conservation District, and Kalamazoo Greenspaces. Future undertakings include further involvement of local youth in plantings in Axtell Creek Park, funded by the Good Neighbor Grant program.

Several photos and information found on www.kalamazooriver.net, courtesy of Kieser and Associates.