LEARN ALL ABOUT THE DIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S NATIVE POLLINATORS AT THE 72nd CONSERVATION DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETING
LEARN ALL ABOUT THE DIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S NATIVE POLLINATORS AT THE 72nd CONSERVATION DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETING
PhD candidate Gabriela Quinlan will present on the “Michigan’s Native Pollinators” at the Washtenaw County Conservation District’s 72nd Annual Meeting. The meeting will be held Thursday, January 16, 2020, 6:30 p.m. at the Washtenaw County Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road. The public is welcome to attend.
Michigan is home to a huge diversity of native, wild bees. Ms. Quinlan will discuss the fascinating life history of native bees, learn tips for identifying bees in your backyard, and learn ways you can support these communities. Questions from attendees will be welcomed.
Ms. Quinlan of Michigan State University studies the effects of nutrition on honey bee disease, survival and productivity in Midwestern landscapes. She received her BS in Biology from North Carolina State University where she studied wild pollinators, including native bees and endangered butterflies. After graduating Gabriela plans to work in academia, teaching and researching bee ecology.
A buffet dinner will open the District Annual Meeting, catered by Moveable Feast. Cost for dinner is $12.00 for adults and $6.00 for children 12 and under. Reservations are needed for the dinner and should be made by January 13th, 2020. To make reservations, call the District Office at: (734) 205-1219 or e-mail: megan.deleeuw@macd.org. Payment can be made at the door the night of the meeting.
The meeting will also include the presentation of three conservation awards. The “Walter Wolfgang Memorial” Conservation Farmer of the Year Award will be presented to Bill and Mike VanRiper of Dottie-O-Dairy Ranch LLC in Sylvan Township. The Tree Conservationist Award will be presented to Emerson Elementary School of Lodi Township. The Beginning or Small Conservation Farmer of the Year Award will be presented to Jill and Nate Lada of Green Things Farm in Ann Arbor Township.
Bill and Mike VanRiper are being recognized for their conservation farming efforts—including reduced tillage, use of cover cropping, implementing a comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP), participation in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) with organic acreage certified by the USDA. Emerson Elementary School is being recognized for excellent in planting a diversity of tree & shrub species as part of their Food Forest on school campus. Jill and Nate Lada are being recognized for excellence in conservation practices in their first ten years of farming including reduced tillage, cover cropping, attaining four MAEAP verifications, enrolling in the State of Michigan Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program (PA116) and USDA Organic Certification.
Program reports on 2019 accomplishments and a door prize drawing will also be included in the meeting program. An election will be held for two, four year WCCD Director positions. Two candidates are running for Director Positions: Matthew Koenn and Shannon Brines. All residents of Washtenaw County are eligible to vote and must bring proof of address. For more information about the Conservation District annual meeting, the election or to make dinner reservations (deadline is January 13th), call the District Office at: (734) 205-1219 or megan.deleeuw@macd.org.
The Washtenaw County Conservation District is a local unit of state government, assisting private landowners, businesses and others, with management of their natural resources in Washtenaw County. The District works cooperatively with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. This District is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Information on the Conservation District is available online at www.washtenawcd.org .
