Come to The Barn at Shagway with Certified Forester, Wildlife Biologist, and Arborist Josh Shields from the Michigan Forestry Assistance Program at the Manistee and Mason-Lake Conservation Districts. Josh will walk with participants through the trails on the property and talk about trees, shrubs, wildflowers and other plant species. Donations welcome to support ongoing preservation of the grounds, the barn and eradicating invasive species at The Barn at Shagway.

To register: www.thebarnatshagway.com/nature-walk-talk

Join us at our office for Bug ID Day, where we’ll be identifying macroinvertebrates collected from the Little Manistee River during recent stream monitoring. These small aquatic insects help us understand the health of our waterways, and no experience is needed to take part, just an interest in learning! It’s a great hands-on opportunity to see how local water quality is monitored and meet others interested in conservation.

Monthly meetings have been scheduled on the 2nd Monday of the month, beginning at 4:00 PM at the Scottville Branch of the Mason County Library, located at 204 E State Street in Scottville. Public is welcome to attend.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88921332369?pwd=gzIyfhbbOpQXfSaOaD4D8doCGWf0RV.1

Meeting ID: 889 2133 2369
Passcode: 390670

There is NO COST to attend this event! Please bring your own water and snacks. Because this is not a guided hike, REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED SO JUST SHOW UP! HOWEVER, PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT PARKING IS LIMITED!

 During this event you will learn about different types of fungi (including mushrooms) growing in the forests of Michigan. Specific topics will include identification of wild fungi (including edible and non-edible species) and the basic biology of mushrooms and other fungi. We will also discuss the ecological importance of such fungi in the forest. This event will take place at Spirit of the Woods Conservation Club near Brethren and will be led by Josh Shields, FAP forester and wildlife biologist with the Manistee and Mason-Lake Conservation Districts, and Linda Scribner, a naturalist who received her Wild Mushroom Certification through Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WILL NOT BE A GUIDED HIKE – Rather, you will wander the park on your own or in groups (there are trails) and Josh Shields will also wander and help you identify fungi, while Linda Scribner will be stationed at a central location where you can bring her specimens. There will also be tables with information about fungi.

If you have any questions, please contact Josh Shields with the Manistee and Mason-Lake Conservation Districts, at 231-889-9666 (Office), 989-220-9236 (Mobile), or via email at joshua.shields@macd.org.

Presented by Manistee and Mason-Lake Conservation Districts, Forestry Assistance Program (FAP), Linda Scribner, and Spirit of the Woods Conservation Club

We'd love for you to join us for macroinvertebrate sampling in the coming weeks. This is a fun chance to meet other amazing volunteers, wade in a river, collecting insects that will help us monitor the health of the river. We have two rivers that we are planning to tackle and we need volunteer helpers! Details are below for sample dates on the Little Manistee and the Sable River. Please  connect with the contact person below to sign up or for questions on either stream day. Volunteers should plan to dress for the weather, wear long sleeves, long pants, rain jacket and closed-toed shoes (poison ivy occurs in some areas). We can lend out waders or knee boots if you let us know ahead of time. Volunteers can wade in the stream to collect macroinvertebrates with nets, pull logs and rocks, or hang out streamside and pull insects from these items and sort for later identification. No experience needed and we'll provide all equipment. Hope to see you out there!

Meet at 9am on US31, park across the road from Doc's Sable River Inn
Sampling this site and maybe carpooling to a 2nd site at Stephens Rd.

Call Tom to coordinate (231) 342-8594

This meeting has been cancelled. Our next board meeting will be held on June 9th at the Scottville Library.

Monthly meetings have been scheduled on the 2nd Monday of the month, beginning at 4:00 PM at the Scottville Branch of the Mason County Library, located at 204 E State Street in Scottville. Public is welcome to attend.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88921332369?pwd=gzIyfhbbOpQXfSaOaD4D8doCGWf0RV.1

Meeting ID: 889 2133 2369
Passcode: 390670

We'd love for you to join us for macroinvertebrate sampling in the coming weeks. This is a fun chance to meet other amazing volunteers, wade in a river, collecting insects that will help us monitor the health of the river. We have two rivers that we are planning to tackle and we need volunteer helpers! Details are below for sample dates on the Little Manistee and the Sable River. Please  connect with the contact person below to sign up or for questions on either stream day. Volunteers should plan to dress for the weather, wear long sleeves, long pants, rain jacket and closed-toed shoes (poison ivy occurs in some areas). We can lend out waders or knee boots if you let us know ahead of time. Volunteers can wade in the stream to collect macroinvertebrates with nets, pull logs and rocks, or hang out streamside and pull insects from these items and sort for later identification. No experience needed and we'll provide all equipment. Hope to see you out there!

Meet at 10am at Club 37 on M37 north of Baldwin. Sampling generally goes 10-2. Bring a lunch!
We divide into teams and carpool to sites, visiting 3 sites. It usually takes until 2 or 3pm, but people can just stay for one site if they wish.

Email mason-lake@macd.org or call Dani to coordinate (231) 613-4502

Invasive Species Workshop
Focus Topics: Invasive Knotweed, Invasive Bittersweet & Tree of Heaven

The public is invited to come and learn about invasive species in the City of Ludington. Invasive species professionals will give a big picture presentation, followed by breakout sessions on specific topics. Guests will have an opportunity to ask questions and discover resources throughout the event. No registration or fee is required to attend. FREE EVENT!

Presentations Include:

• 2025 Management Plan
  Learn about 2024 survey results and future plans to address invasive species in the city.

• Property Owner Resources
  Presentation on effective control. Plus information on cost share programs and local contractors.

• Invasive Species ID Walk
  Presentation and ½ mile walk to show how to identify key invasive species.

• Do It Yourself Herbicides
  Learn safe handling practices and legal restrictions for using herbicide on your property.

AFFEW is excited to share a variety of in-person presentations during the Earth Day Celebration! This is a monumental year as AFFEW celebrates its 35th and Earth Day’s 55th anniversaries! This years theme is Our Power, Our Planet. This all day event will include many topics of interest. The keynote speaker, Dr. Erik Nordman, will discuss ”The Power of Working Together” and Jim McGrath from Nature Discovery will bring his interactive show featuring reptiles and amphibians. In addition they’ll have many organizations and groups represented at the information booths. 

We plan to have a staff member attending, so stop by and say hello!

Join us for a fun, family-friendly event as we celebrate spring and the exciting upcoming 2025 Pure Markette season! It's the perfect time to connect with nature, learn about planting, and discover local products and resources.

Event Highlights:

• Pick up your MLCD preorder spring trees (Deadline: 3/7/25 - visit our website to order)

• Planting, care, and safety tips

• Spring treats from local farmers and makers

• Sneak peek of the 2025 Pure Markette season and programs

• Free seedling giveaway (1 per family – plant it at home or gift it!)

• Vendors offering farm-fresh produce, baked goods, artisan products, and more

If you placed a pre-order for tree seedlings and selected Baldwin as your pick-up location, your order will be ready for you!

📅 Pick-Up Details:
✔ Check in with your name, and we’ll have your pre-packed order ready.
✔ Staff and volunteers will be available to assist.

⚠ Need to change your pick-up location? Call our office by Thursday, April 24, at 4:30 PM to request a change. If you’re unsure of your selection, contact us to confirm.

Please note: Extra stock will not be available for purchase at this location. Pre-orders only.

While you're in Baldwin, be sure to stop by Pure Markette from 10 AM to Noon to celebrate Mother Earth, spring, and the upcoming 2025 market season! They’ll be offering free seedlings to plant or gift, planting and care instructions, spring treats from local farmers and makers, and more. Pure Markette is also helping promote our tree sale pick-up—so swing by and enjoy the festivities!

If you placed a pre-order for tree seedlings, it’s time to pick them up! Orders will be available at the Community Center Barn at the Mason County Fairgrounds. Please enter from the U.S. 10 entrance, take the first right, and park along the south side of the barn.

📅 Pick-Up Details:
✔ Check in at our pick-up table with your name, and we’ll grab your pre-packed order.
✔ Staff and volunteers will be available to assist.
✔ Didn’t pre-order? A limited selection of extra trees, shrubs, and other products will be available for purchase, including tree tubes, stakes, birdhouses, and nature activity books for kids!

⚠ Need to change your pick-up location? Call our office by Thursday, April 24, at 4:30 PM to request a change. If you’re unsure of your selected location, give us a call to double-check.

Stop by and see what’s available—while supplies last!

If you placed a pre-order for tree seedlings, it’s time to pick them up! Orders will be available at the Community Center Barn at the Mason County Fairgrounds. Please enter from the U.S. 10 entrance, take the first right, and park along the south side of the barn.

📅 Pick-Up Details:
✔ Check in at our pick-up table with your name, and we’ll grab your pre-packed order.
✔ Staff and volunteers will be available to assist.
✔ Didn’t pre-order? A limited selection of extra trees, shrubs, and other products will be available for purchase, including tree tubes, stakes, birdhouses, and nature activity books for kids!

⚠ Need to change your pick-up location? Call our office by Thursday, April 24, at 4:30 PM to request a change. If you’re unsure of your selected location, give us a call to double-check.

Stop by and see what’s available—while supplies last!

Monthly meetings have been scheduled on the 2nd Monday of the month, beginning at 4:00 PM at the Scottville Branch of the Mason County Library, located at 204 E State Street in Scottville. Public is welcome to attend.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88921332369?pwd=gzIyfhbbOpQXfSaOaD4D8doCGWf0RV.1

Meeting ID: 889 2133 2369
Passcode: 390670

March Topic - Agroforestry with Nathan Ayers

We will cover topics related to carbon markets, agroforestry and regenerative agriculture. Webinars will be held on the third Wednesday of each month at noon, so grab your lunch and learn with us as we dive into these emerging topics in conservation. If you'd rather join in person instead of online, we'll gather at the same time at the Scottville library and attendees can watch and participate that way as well. 

To register:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/znP_Yf-hRqqkWivjXYWYWA

DATE CHANGE: Our board meeting normally held on the second Monday of the month has been rescheduled and will now be held on Friday, March 14th

Monthly meetings have been scheduled on the 2nd Monday of the month, beginning at 4:00 PM at the Scottville Branch of the Mason County Library, located at 204 E State Street in Scottville. Public is welcome to attend.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88921332369?pwd=gzIyfhbbOpQXfSaOaD4D8doCGWf0RV.1

Meeting ID: 889 2133 2369
Passcode: 390670

We will be celebrating community conservation over the past year. Our staff and partners will have booths to share information on our recent projects and accomplishments and will be ready to help you with any questions regarding natural resources issues for your property. Come for the open house between 5-6pm to mingle and talk conservation!

A banquet dinner will be provided at 6pm and our guest speaker will be Michelle Carter, who completed an internship with Hamlin Lake Preservation Society this past summer. Michelle will share her insights on the “Health of Hamlin Lake” and the water quality monitoring that she helped conduct. The evening will conclude with recognition of Conservation award winners and raffles of conservation-themed prizes.

Elections: Board of Directors election to be held until 6:30 pm, with results announced following dinner

RSVP: The dinner reservation list is full but you are welcome to attend, check out our raffle and vote. We look forward to seeing you there!

This 2-hour presentation, given by the Manistee and Mason-Lake Conservation Districts, Forestry Assistance Program (FAP), and Michigan State University Extension, is designed for landowners AND professionals such as foresters, ecologists, and loggers, interested in planting trees and shrubs.  Numerous topics will be discussed by Josh Shields, FAP forester, wildlife biologist, and arborist with the Manistee and Mason-Lake Conservation Districts, and Emily Lavely, Tree Fruit Educator with Michigan State University Extension.  Topics will include:

• matching tree and shrub species to the proper site conditions

• selecting fruit tree cultivars based on desired use of fruit, susceptibility to disease, and other factors

• site preparation and planting techniques

• pruning methods for fruit trees

• proper handling and care of seedlings and fruit trees

• containerized versus bareroot stock

• spring versus autumn planting

• protecting trees and shrubs from white-tailed deer and other animals

• the use of tree and shrub planting for timber production, wildlife habitat conversion and enhancement, planting of under-represented species, erosion control, and other conservation purposes

• tree planting experiments using seedlings from conservation district tree/shrub sales 

This is a great presentation to attend to help you choose the correct trees and shrubs to purchase from the conservation district tree sale!

 There is no cost for attending this event.  Snacks will be provided free of charge.

  Donations at the door are appreciated, but not required, to help offset costs of the event.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS February 7th, 2025.  To register, visit the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/hbsiJ7eJ55 or call the Mason-Lake Conservation District office at 231-757-3707 ext. 5.

PLEASE NOTE THAT SPACE IS LIMITED!

Monthly meetings have been scheduled on the 2nd Monday of the month, beginning at 4:00 PM at the Scottville Branch of the Mason County Library, located at 204 E State Street in Scottville. Public is welcome to attend.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88921332369?pwd=gzIyfhbbOpQXfSaOaD4D8doCGWf0RV.1

Meeting ID: 889 2133 2369
Passcode: 390670

Monthly meetings have been scheduled on the 2nd Monday of the month, beginning at 4:00 PM at the Scottville Branch of the Mason County Library, located at 204 E State Street in Scottville. Public is welcome to attend.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88921332369?pwd=gzIyfhbbOpQXfSaOaD4D8doCGWf0RV.1

Meeting ID: 889 2133 2369
Passcode: 390670