Upcoming events

Photo Credit: Leanna Doty

Fruit Tree Pruning WorkshoP
Mar
13

Fruit Tree Pruning WorkshoP

Eaton Conservation District and the Country Mill invite you to sharpen your pruning skills with Steve Tennes, Owner of Country Mill Farms.

Country Mill has been owned by Steve’s family since 1970. Steve will share tips for tending to fruit trees so they can grow and produce beautiful and tastefully delicious fruit.

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Photo Contest Voting
Oct
21
to Nov 12

Photo Contest Voting

Voting can be fun when you are voting for your favorite photo of Eaton County natural resources! Eaton Conservation District invites you to vote for your favorite photo from those submitted to our contest this year. Vote once before November 12th. Winners will receive prizes up to $50 in value. Check back here in December to see who won!

Vote Here

Photo Credit: Noah Briggs “Butterfield Sunset” - 2023 Photo Contest - 1st Place Popular Vote

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Cultivating Edible Mushrooms at Home
Oct
16

Cultivating Edible Mushrooms at Home

  • MSU Extension Conference Room (basement) (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join ECD and Chris from Mychophile's Garden for an introduction to cultivating edible mushrooms at home.

This class will focus on explaining the basics behind mushroom cultivation and the best resources for learning more on your own.

Mushroom Growing Kits and Fresh mushrooms will be available for purchase.

This is a Phase 1 MAEAP event.

Registration now open.

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Kanoe the Kazoo
Sep
7

Kanoe the Kazoo

Kanoe the Kazoo is sponsored by the City of Marshall, the City of Charlotte, and the City of Olivet. Float the Kalamazoo River from Stuart’s Landing in Marshall to Ceresco Green. A BBQ lunch (hot dogs/hamburgers) and a short educational program will be offered at the end of the paddle trip at Ceresco Green. There is a $10 registration fee to cover the cost of the t-shirt and lunch.

Arrive:
8:30am at Stuart’s Landing, 900 S. Marshall Ave, Marshall, MI
Check-in: Drop off your kayak(s) and check in at the welcome table. Donuts, coffee, and water will be provided.
Vehicle Shuttle Provided: After dropping off kayak(s), drivers will take their vehicle to Ceresco. A shuttle will be provided to bring drivers back to Stuart’s Landing for the launch.
Launch: Paddlers will launch after drivers are shuttled back to Stuart’s Landing. The expected arrival time in Ceresco is 12pm.
Boat rentals: A small number of kayaks are available for rent from the City of Marshall Recreation Department. To reserve a kayak, call the Recreation Department at 269-781-5166.
T-shirts: Register by August 18 to receive a t-shirt. Indicate the size needed on the registration form linked below.
Event cost: There is a $10 registration fee to cover the cost of the t-shirt and lunch. Please make checks payable to the City of Olivet and mail to C/O Amy Hupenbecker, 117 S Main St, PO Box 367, Olivet, MI 49076.

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Upstream with a Paddle
Aug
16

Upstream with a Paddle

2024 Upstream with a Paddle is a fundraising event for Eaton Community Health. The event will feature special presentations by expert water-based athletes such as rowing teams, scuba divers, and kayakers as well as information booths, food and beverages, music, drawings for prizes, and special recognitions.

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Recycle-palooza
Aug
10

Recycle-palooza

Follow the opportunity to reduce household clutter and revitalize your property. We are accepting electronics, household hazardous waste, and tires. Register now to participate in our Spring Clean-Up!

Registration will open March 15, 2024 at 12:00 pm and will be available until the Wednesday prior to the date of the event at 12:00 pm or until maximum participant capacity is reached.

Register: http://www.eatoncounty.org/913

Source: https://www.eatoncounty.org/913/Recycling-Events-Programs

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2024 Science Adventure Camp
Jul
16
to Jul 18

2024 Science Adventure Camp

STUDENTS:

Let’s get fired up for science!

This event is a hands-on fun experience for students in 4th – 6th grades to get fired up about science.  The three-day event is open to students throughout Eaton County for only $15!

Participants can choose between a morning (9am-12pm) or afternoon (1pm-4pm) session. Students will need to check in 15 minutes prior to the session start time to pick up name badges and learn the site for the day.  The event will run rain or shine.  There are pavilions and Camp Francis available in case of inclement weather.

To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/science-adventure-camp-2024-tickets-888374230237?aff=ebdshpsearchautocomplete or mail your payment and a completed form to Science Adventure Camp, City of Charlotte, 111 E Lawrence Ave, Charlotte, MI 48813. Make checks payable to City of Charlotte.

CAMP COUNSELORS:

Counselors will attend camp on July 16-18 from 8:15am-4:15pm.  Donuts and lunch will be provided.  Camp counselors accompany groups of 5-10 campers throughout the day, keeping them on schedule and providing support where needed.

To register as a Camp Counselor for 2024 Science Adventure Camp, fill out the following form and submit it to Matt Griffith at MGriffith@charlottemi.org:  https://charlottemi.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Science-Adventure-Camp-Counselor-Registration-2024-1.pdf

CAMP PRESENTERS:

Do you have a fun science or conservation-related activity that you would like to share with our campers? Pitch your idea to us and tell us which day you are available. We will contact you to make arrangements. We are always seeking Camp Counselors to teach lessons in the following science subjects: rocks and minerals, fossils, tree and plant life, stream life, tree identification, forestry, groundwater studies, bugs, chemistry, decomposition studies, recycling studies, geocaching, and more!

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Family, Fun & the Farming Community
Jun
15

Family, Fun & the Farming Community

Get to know your local Farmers at the Family, Fun & the Farming Community event! There will be games, food, live music, and local vendors. We will be there providing educational displays, games & fun activities surrounding conservation and our Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program!

This event takes place on Saturday June 15th, from 2pm-6pm at the Beach Market. We hope to see you there!

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Recycling Fever
Jun
15

Recycling Fever

Follow the opportunity to reduce household clutter and revitalize your property. We are accepting electronics, household hazardous waste, and tires. Register now to participate in our Spring Clean-Up!

Registration will open March 15, 2024 at 12:00 pm and will be available until the Wednesday prior to the date of the event at 12:00 pm or until maximum participant capacity is reached.

Register: http://www.eatoncounty.org/913

Source: https://www.eatoncounty.org/913/Recycling-Events-Programs

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Native Plant Sale
Jun
8

Native Plant Sale

Join us at Woldumar Nature Center for our annual Native Plant Sale. In addition to a guest presentation, you will be able to shop three (3) local vendors of Michigan native plants.

10:00am-11:00am - Presentation by Cindi Martineau, Professional Michigan Native Plant Grower.

Cindi Martineau is a native plant hobbyist and professional. She has been growing plants from seed since she was a child and native plants for over a decade, adding woodland plants in the last five years. 

Cindi currently works at two native plant nurseries and previously worked at Michigan Wildflower Farm. Her yard is a pollinator and wildlife sanctuary, except for slugs.  She enjoys helping people get started with native plants. 

Cindi will be talking about shade-loving, woodland natives. What are the best woodland natives to bring into your landscape and how can you properly care for them? Bring your questions!

11:00am-3:00pm - Browse 'n Buy

Get expert advice and shop a broad selection of native plants including prairie and woodland varieties.​ New this year… visit additional booths for relevant resources.

Vendor Highlights

Bendy Stem Farm

Bendy Stem Farm is a small, Michigan native plant nursery located in Dimondale. Ben is eager to help you grow your love for natives in whatever way fits into your life.

Wild Ginger Woodlands

Wild Ginger Woodlands specializes in shade-loving native woodland species and joins us from Haslett.

Go Grow Plant Natives

A small nursery located in Charlotte, Go Grow Plant Natives will bring prairie grasses, flowers, and sedges, as well as small shrubs and potted trees.

Plant List

Following is a list of plants that will be available from our vendors:

Sweet flag

Tall Thimbleweed

Red Columbine

Spikenard

Indian plantain

Poke Milkweed

Butterfly Weed

White Wild Indigo

False Blue Indigo

Harebell

Penn Sedge

Sprengelli Sedge

Fireweed

Virgin's Bower

Lanceleaf Tickseed

Prairie Coreopsis

Showy Tick Trefoil

Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle

Purple Coneflower

Rattlesnake Master

Big Leaf Aster

Bottle Gentian

Wild Geranium

Prairie Smoke

Sneezeweed

Western Sunflower

Early Sunflower

Prairie Alumroot

Swamp Rose Mallow

Blue Flag Iris

Round Headed Bush Clover

Dense Blazing Star

Cardinal Flower

Great Blue Lobelia

Wild Lupine

Bee Balm

Horsemint

Stiff Goldenrod

Wild Quinine

Calico Beardtongue

Foxglove Beardtounge

Large Flowered Beardtongue

Hairy Beardtongue

Prairie Phlox

Ninebark

Jacob's Ladder

American Plum

Clustered Mountain Mint

Yellow Coneflower

Wild Golden Glow

Sweet Coneflower

Brown Eyed Susan

Wild Petunia

Hoary Skullcap

Wild Senna

Royal Catchfly

Rosinweed

Compass Plant

Cup Plant

Prairie Dock

Blue Stemmed Goldenrod

Showy Goldenrod

Bog Goldenrod

Meadowsweet

Wood Poppy

Heart-Leaved Aster

Smooth Aster

Sky Blue Aster

Goat's Rue

Purple Meadow Rue

Early Meadow Rue

Culver's Root

Wood Rush

Woodland Phlox

Bloodroot

Wild Ginger

Red Baneberry

Jack-In-The-Pulpit

Beak Grass

American Columbo

Spleenwort

True Solomon’s Seal

Christmas Fern

Zig Zag Goldenrod

And more…

No pre-orders will be taken in 2024. Plants will be available to browse and buy on the day of the sale. You can call our office at (517) 543-1512 x5 with questions. 
Please make checks payable to "Eaton Conservation District" or "ECD". Cash and credit cards will be accepted.

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Spring Clean-Up
May
18

Spring Clean-Up

Follow the opportunity to reduce household clutter and revitalize your property. We are accepting electronics, household hazardous waste, yard waste, and scrap metal. Register now to participate in our Spring Clean-Up!

Registration will open March 15, 2024 at 12:00 pm and will be available until the Wednesday prior to the date of the event at 12:00 pm or until maximum participant capacity is reached. 

Register: http://www.eatoncounty.org/913

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Stream Monitoring ID Day
May
17

Stream Monitoring ID Day

Become a community scientist as you learn to collect and identify macroinvertebrate larvae to monitor the water quality of Eaton County streams! At bug identification events, volunteers will work as a team using microscopes and guidebooks to identify the insects collected at a specific stream site.  All equipment will be provided.  

Contact Val Reisen at val.reisen@macd.org or (517) 588-6302 for more information.

Click the button below to register to volunteer!

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Stream Monitoring Collection & Habitat Assessment
May
10

Stream Monitoring Collection & Habitat Assessment

Become a community scientist as you learn to collect and identify macroinvertebrate larvae to monitor the water quality of Eaton County streams!  During collection events, volunteers will meet at The University of Olivet for a quick training session before they travel to stream collection sites around Eaton County.  All equipment will be provided.

Contact Val Reisen at val.reisen@macd.org or (517) 588-6302 for more information.

Click on the button below to register to volunteer!

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Stream Monitoring Collection & Habitat Assessment
May
3

Stream Monitoring Collection & Habitat Assessment

Become a community scientist as you learn to collect and identify macroinvertebrate larvae to monitor the water quality of Eaton County streams!  During collection events, volunteers will meet at The University of Olivet for a quick training session before they travel to stream collection sites around Eaton County. All equipment will be provided.  

Contact Val Reisen at val.reisen@macd.org or (517) 588-6302 for more information.

Click on the button below to register to volunteer!

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Arbor Day at Lansing Lugnuts Game!
Apr
26

Arbor Day at Lansing Lugnuts Game!

Arbor Day Conservation District Takeover

Eaton Conservation District is partnering with the Lansing Lugnuts and the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts to bring a "Conservation District Takeover" to Jackson Field on Arbor Day!

Celebrate Arbor Day and watch the Lansing Lugnuts take on the Dayton Dragons on April 26th. Enjoy some baseball and embrace the spirit of planting and nurturing trees! Everything has a Conservation Theme!

5:00 pm - Gates Open

5:20 pm - Ceremonial Tree Planting in the park to honor Arbor Day.

5:30 pm - Ceremonial First Pitch and Pre-Game Entertainment

6:05 pm - Game ON!

Concurrent - Trivia, videos, and on-field games to honor our volunteers, partners, projects, and more (Maybe you will see your picture or name on the Big Screen!)

At the same time - A full-fledged Conservation Carnival with 18 unique game booths, prizes, and craft table, all included with your ticket. (Scroll to the bottom to see the full listing)

Also - Michigan native species-themed face painting will be available.

And - Visit with Wade the Water Drop and get your picture taken. If you are lucky, you can catch a picture with both Wade and Big Lug at the SAME TIME!

Wait, there’s more - 750 Lucky fans will take home a beautiful White Pine seedling to plant.

In addition to thrilling on-field promotions all themed around trees and nature, your ticket purchase does more than just secure a seat; it also supports the environment. With each ticket, a $2 donation will be made to the Eaton Conservation District, aiding in local conservation efforts.

Don't miss out on this unique blend of baseball and nature. Get your tickets today and be a part of the greenest game of the season!

Want to help make this event a success? We can use your help! Staff a booth, assist with set-up and break down, and more…

Festivities Program:

  • Many thanks to the DNR for facilitating the tree planting with Van Atta’s Greenhouse & Flower Shop.

  • Wheel of Origin - Spin the wheel and identify which species is native and which one is invasive to Michigan. Prizes by Michigan Wildflower Farm

  • Shoot the Invader - Identify and shoot the lesser celandine/ficaria verna pictures with squirt bottles.

  • Cover Crop Bingo - Which seeds created the plants in the pictures? Learn how cover crops help farmers protect our soil and water. Hosted by MSU Extension.

  • Clear the River Race - Use the grippers to grab the trash and pull it out of the water. Hosted by Michigan Waterway Stewards with support from River Town Adventures

  • Pet Waste Cornhole -To prevent E.coli from seeping into water, pick up pet waste and throw it into the trash. Hosted by Paw City Pet Care

  • Race to the Farmer’s Market - Kids can race matchbox cars on a track to see who will get to the farmer's market first. Hosted by Allen Neighborhood Center

  • Flush It/Don't Flush It - Protect your pipes and our water... What can you flush and what should you trash or recycle? Hosted by the City of Charlotte

  • Fishing for Ag Facts - Pull the fish out of the water and learn something interesting about conservation in agriculture. Hosted by Farm Services Administration

  • Wetland Jeopardy - Scoop a species out of the "wetland habitat" and answer the corresponding question about the services wetlands provide.

  • Forest Jeopardy - How much do you know about Michigan forests and trees? Any tree-lover can win a prize with a variety of topics relating to our forest ecosystems. Hosted by DNR through Americorps

  • E.coli, Search & Find - What's the source of the E.Coli in the Grand River? Choose three from the items in the watershed and look underneath to see if they contributed E.Coli to the river. Hosted by the Greater Lansing Regional Committee for Groundwater Management

  • Native Agriculture is for the Birds - Feed yourself and the ecosystem. All of these plants feed humans but some feed baby birds, too by supporting more caterpillars (lepidoptera). Toss bean bags into the cups and see how many worms you can collect to feed your nest. Hosted by Dragonfly Downs Farm

  • Bugs in the Water - Learn how clean our water is by finding and identifying bugs. Hosted by Michigan Water Stewardship Program & MiCorps

  • Conservation Craft Table - Create conservation-related take-home crafts such as native bee homes, tree cookie ornaments, and dragonflies.

  • Meet Eaton Conservation District - General Info, Donations & T-shirts for Sale

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Tree Sale Order Deadline
Mar
31

Tree Sale Order Deadline

Online order or order form with full payment must be received to Eaton Conservation District, 551 Courthouse Dr., Suite 3, Charlotte, MI 48813 no later than March 31, 2024. Earlier orders will have a better chance at being filled. There will be a very small quantity of "extras" available at the pickup site on April 13th.

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Adopt a Stream in Eaton County
Mar
23

Adopt a Stream in Eaton County

Join us for an informative session on how the Eaton County Collaborative is working to monitor the water quality in our local streams and rivers. Learn the basics of what we are doing and how you can get involved to monitor a stream in your neighborhood. This session is for anyone who has been curious about our stream monitoring program, but unsure if it’s the right program for you. This is a safe way to get a closer look without getting in or near the water!

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Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop
Mar
14

Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop

The Eaton Conservation District and the Country Mill invite you to sharpen your pruning skills with Steve Tennes, Owner of Country Mill.

Country Mill has been owned by Steve’s family since 1970. Steve will share tips for tending to fruit trees so they can grow and produce beautiful and tastefully delicious fruit.

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Customer Appreciation Day 2024
Mar
6

Customer Appreciation Day 2024

Williams Farm Machinery is hosting a customer appreciation day and you are invited!

Williams Farm Machinery will donate $20.00 to Eaton Conservation District for every Stihl hand held gasoline powered outdoor equipment sold during the month of February.

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Cover Crop Boot Camp
Feb
7
to Feb 8

Cover Crop Boot Camp

Phase One Event for MAEAP

The first-of-its-kind Cover Crop Boot Camp, brought to you by the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, the Michigan Soybean Committee and the Michigan Pork Producers Association, will be held at the MSU Henry Center on February 7-8, 2024. The Cover Crop Boot Camp is a deep dive into innovative cover crop use, with topics including cover crop blends, precision technology, integrating livestock, seed production and more! This event is free for farmers to attend, including meals and a complimentary hotel room on-site, but space is limited.

This event is for farmers who have been doing cover crops for awhile now.

Registration: https://cvent.me/yKnP22

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Trees for Pollinators
Jan
23

Trees for Pollinators

When planning for pollinators, people often miss the importance of trees. Some trees are powerhouses for providing pollinator habitat and food. Join the Grand Ledge Garden Club to get an introduction to using trees to create pollinator habitat in your yard.

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