Newaygo Conservation Stewards Program Almost Here!

By Sally Wagoner, Newaygo County Environmental Coalition
​
The Newaygo Conservation Stewards Program will start in early September. Registration time and space are running out, so anyone interested in taking a deep dive into our local ecosystems are encouraged to apply by August 18!
Who should participate in this program? 
“Anyone with an interest in our unique Newaygo habitats, and who wants to learn how to protect and restore our environment,” states Sally Wagoner from the Newaygo County Environmental Coalition, and a member of the program Planning Committee. 
This 8 week program is created by MSU Extension, and led by local and regional experts of the ecological areas found in Newaygo County: Forests, Wetlands, Lakes, Streams, Grasslands and Prairies. Presenters will include Jack Lemon of Trout Unlimited; Rod Denning, District Forester at Oceana Conservation District; Jeremy Hartsock, Wetland Ecologist at MSU; as well as David Wright of Big Prairie Township and Sarah Pregitzer of Newaygo Invasive Plants Project, among others.

This will be the first time the Conservation Stewards Program will be held in the Newaygo County Region. A main purpose of having the program here is to increase the community’s awareness of the rich natural habitats here, and to engage people in their restoration and protection.  
Pat Fisher participated in the Kalamazoo Program last fall. “I have been doing volunteer work for years with habitats in my area, so I took the course to learn more about them,” states Pat. “But what I didn’t realize until I took the program was that these ecosystems, like the forests and wetlands and prairies, that they are interconnected, and how they depend on each other for their health and sustainability.” 
Sarah Pregitzer is a local Steward for the Newaygo Prairie Sanctuary, and will be leading one of the Saturday field tours. “Our hike will traverse mature Oak forest, Pine woods, remnant Dry Sand Prairie, Oak Savannah and restoration areas,” explains Sarah. “As we walk along we'll discuss the geologic history, hydrology, botany, native plants (both common and rare), as well as threatened and endangered species. We will see examples of ongoing work on privately owned sanctuaries and National Forest land.”
"Residents of this area rarely realize Newaygo County's diverse nature. With over a dozen distinct natural communities, it is one of the most varied in our state,” added Sarah.

Kirsten Lyons first took the Conservation Stewards Program in Oakland County in 2016, and has helped to coordinate it in St. Clair County since 2018. “What’s fun is to watch the connections that are made between people who take the program,” explained Kirsten. “They get to know each other, and often end up working on stewardship projects together after it is over. Some go on to lead their own restoration projects, and some become Board Members for environmentally focused organizations. You never know where someone’s participation will lead them!”
The classes will meet on Mondays, September 9 - November 4, from 6pm - 8:30pm. They will begin with a short field tour at various sites around the County followed by classroom presentations by local and regional experts.
There will also be two Saturday Field Trips: September 28 & October 19. Class size is limited, and registration ends on August 18. Scholarships are available and can be requested during the online registration. 

“I care about the health of my local ecosystems and how that impacts the global wellbeing of our planet,” states Emily Francart of White Cloud, who will be participating in the program this fall. “I live on a lake and am not sure of the best practices for wetland conservation, which I noticed was included within this program. I would like to do my part to ensure that we and future generations have a chance to enjoy nature undamaged by, or recovered from, human greed or waste.”

Partners in planning the Newaygo Cohort of the Conservation Stewards Program include the Newaygo Conservation District, Newaygo Invasive Plants Project, Newaygo County Environmental Coalition, the Little River Band of Odawa Indians, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, MSU Extension, and the Fremont Area Community Foundation.
More information about class locations and registration can be found at:
www.canr.msu.edu/conservation_stewards_program/newaygo, or scan the QR code.
​
Questions can be directed to Sally Wagoner: [email protected]. 

---

Restoration at Coolbaugh Natural areas. Photo by Sally Wagoner