District News

Congratulations to the

2022 Friend of the District

Melanie Stoughton

Melanie is no stranger to the inner workings of conservation districts, and she understands that without a team of ready and willing volunteers, the good work that conservations districts do couldn’t get done! Read more in our annual report.

Congratulations to the

 2022 Conservation Farm of the Year

Krupp Farms

Learn more about Ira Krupp and his accomplishments on the way to MAEAP verification in the KCD 2022 Annual Report.

Congratulations to AACORN

2021 Conservation Farm of the Year

Read more about AACORN and their accomplishments on the way to MAEAP Verification in the KCD 2021 Annual Report

Friend of the District Awards

We are thankful to have many district friends and we would like to recognize two with our Friend of the District Award. The first recipient is Karen High, Oshtemo Township Director of Parks. Karen facilitated the use of Oshtemo Township locations for programs including the Citizen Science Program.  Both the tree planting workshop and the Woodlot & Forest management workshops were to be held at the Drake Farmstead before they were later moved to a virtual format.  In addition, Karen assisted KCD by locating equipment for programs, created a Powerpoint presentation, worked with us to film at the Farmstead as part of the fall woodlot and forestry program, and participated in the live Q&A session of the webinar.

Also receiving the Friend of the District Award are foresters Chris D’Hulster and Jeff Steinkraus of Steinkraus Forestry Management LLC.  Chris and Jeff answered our questions and provided information about forestry management programs.  In preparing for the virtual Woodlot and Forestry Management Workshop, they made time for us to tape an interview and demonstration out in the woods. Chris and Jeff also provided expertise in the live Q&A session of the webinar.

District Partner Award
 

We have awarded the City of Portage with our District Partner Award. The City of Portage has been a terrific partner with KCD on several projects and programs.

The City of Portage has been instrumental in work with the Wildlife Habitat Enhancement project at the Gourdneck State Game Area.  Over 65 acres of the game area are being restored to an Oak Savanna habitat which will support more wildlife diversity.  Throughout the winter of 2020, the City of Portage provided work crews and equipment used to fell trees in the northwest unit of the game area. This area was populated with aging red pines and its location made it difficult for tree removal. The Department of Public works was able to provide expertise in selectively cutting these trees. In addition, the snowplow crews kept the parking lot cleared of snow to enabling additional work to continue throughout the winter of 2020-2021.

The City of Portage Parks division also partnered with the district by providing event promotion and program space at Schrier Park for two workshops as part of the Urban and Community Forestry Education Series. “Tree Selection– How to Decide What to Plant” was held at the park in February 2020. The second scheduled workshop at the park was later held as a virtual program.