NEWAYGO

CONSERVATION

DISTRICT

nswcd@ncats.newaygo.mi.us

www.sfwobservatory.org

Newaygo Conservation District

940 West Rex Street

Fremont, MI 49412

Telephone # (231) 924-2420 ext. 5

FAX # (231) 924-4140

HOURS:  8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday

SERVICE AREA:  Newaygo County

DIRECTORS:

2006 – 2007

Fred Folkema – Chairman

Kory Borgman – Vice-Chairman

Steve Hatting – Secretary

Joan Kokx – Treasurer

Jason Dunning – Director

STAFF:

Gail Warnement – Executive Director

Dora Dastick – Receptionist

Joshua Felsk – Groundwater Technician

Alyssa Merten – AmeriCorps

Louise Brock – Nursery Manager

Technical Assistance from:

U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service:

Kelly Bishop – District Conservationist

Gales Nobes – Soil Conservationist Technician

Greg Mund – Soil Conservationist

MEETINGS:

SERVICES:

Conservation Practices Information	Groundwater Stewardship Program
No-Till Drill Rental	Nursery (bare-root tree seedlings)
Reforestation & Wildlife Habitat	Soil Information
Tree Planting Information	Video & Slide Shows
Wetland Restoration Information	Brochures, Books, Maps, Fact Sheets
Conservation Project Materials Available	Kropscott Property
We provide conservation type assistance to landowners in Newaygo County.  Work with landowners on conservation practices.  Assist with schools in regard to environmental education; collaborate with several local and statewide agencies on various projects that involve the environment.

CONSERVATION PRACTICES INFORMATION

Protecting our natural resources is made easier with help from our staff and technical standards.  Conservation practice information covers seeding, erosion control activities, water quality improvement and protection, and wildlife habitat development.  Project information can include details, designs, material needs, contractor lists, and photos on how a project may appear when completed.

GROUNDWATER STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM

Groundwater Stewardship Program – Michigan Department of Agriculture grant funded through pesticide and fertilizer purchase fees.  Managed by our Groundwater Technician:  Joshua Felsk (231) 924-2420 ext.114.

            Providing cost-share directly to farmers in Newaygo and Muskegon counties to install ground water protection practices such as:  Abandoned Well Decommissioning, Emergency Planning/MI Emergency Tube, Faucet Anti-Backflow Vacuum Breaker, Emergency Pesticide Spill Kits, Pesticide Application Controller, Sprayer Tips and Calibration, Pesticide Container Rinse Nozzle, Manure Nutrient Analysis, Pre-Sidedress Nitrate Testing, and Intensive Rotational Grazing.

Environmental evaluation of Farmstead using:  The Farmstead Assessment System (Farm*A*Syst).  Complete this evaluation and become eligible for cost-share and up to seven restricted use pesticide credits.

All services confidential

AGRICULTURE

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service formally known as (USDA Soil Conservation Service) helps private landowner’s conserve their soil, water, and other natural resources. NRCS employees provide a variety of technical assistance to customers based on their specific needs.  NRCS also provides financial assistance for many conservation practices to program participants.  Participation in these programs is voluntary.  For a list of programs and eligibility visit the NRCS homepage at www.nrcs.usda.gov

Here is a list of NRCS available programs:

CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) –

This program allows landowners to protect environmentally sensitive lands, primarily croplands, by planting to longer term covers.  These cover practices provide erosion protection and improve soil quality and may be trees or grasses depending on the landowner objectives and the land suitability.

CSP (Conservation Security Program) –

CSP provides financial and technical assistance to promote the conservation and improvement of soil, water, air, energy, plant and animal life and other conservation purposes on Tribal and private working lands. Working lands include cropland, grassland, prairie land, improved pasture, and range land, as well as forested land that is an incidental part of an agriculture operation.

EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) –

A program that provides technical and financial assistance to landowners for establishing conservation practices to protect soil and water quality.  Assistance is targeted to livestock related natural resource problems and other locally identified conservation priorities.

GRP (Grassland Reserve Program) –

A volunteer program that helps landowners and operators restore and protect grassland.  The program emphasizes grazing operations, biodiversity, and lands threatened by conversion to other uses.

WHIP (Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program) –

A program designed to provide high quality wildlife habitat by providing planning assistance and cost share funds to landowners wishing to create better opportunities for wildlife on their property including forestland, wetland, and grasslands.  Also emphasizes habitats for threatened and endangered species as well as certain priority habitats.

WRP (Wetlands Reserve Program) –

A program that provides technical and financial assistance to restore, create, or enhance wetlands through conservation easements that improve migratory birds and wildlife habitat, improve water quality, and aid in flood control and groundwater recharge.

For technical assistance or would like information on the

various programs contact:

Kelly Bishop, District Conservationist

USDA Service Center

(231) 924-2060 x 3

Email:  kelly.bishop@mi.usda.gov

NO-TILL DRILL RENTAL

A 750 John Deere drill for direct planting without tilling fields is available to rent from the district.  The drill has been successfully used to plant alfalfa; birds foot trefoil, oats, wheat, and rye.  Plan now for next spring planting without plowing, disking, and dragging.  Cost is $10.00 per acre.

A Truax Flex II drill is also available for rent.  The drill is used to plant warm season grasses such as:  big/little blue stem, indian grass, switch grass, and wildflowers.  Cost is $7.50 per acre.

NURSERY

ESTABLISHED in 1950, Louise Brock is our Nursery Manager.  The Newaygo Conservation District Nursery provides bare-root seedlings in bulk to Newaygo residents for reforestation, afforestation, wildlife planning, and erosion ‘dents for reforestation, afforestation and wildlife planning and erosion control.  Currently the Nursery has the following seedlings for sale for Fall 2007– Spring 2008 (available in August 2007):

Example of Species Offered!

Red Cedar	White Cedar	Balsam Fir
Common Juniper	American Larch	Jack Pine
Red Pine	White Pine	Black Spruce
Blue Spruce	Norway Spruce	White Spruce
Quaking Aspen	Black Cherry	Shagbark Hickory
Red Maple	Sugar Maple	Red Oak
White Oak	Black Walnut	Arrowwood
Bittersweet	Choke Cherry	Black Chokeberry
Highbush Cranberry	Flowering Dogwood	Gray Dogwood
Redosier Dogwood	Silky Dogwood	Common Elderberry
Red Elderberry	American Hazelnut	Winterberry Holly
Mapleleaf Viburnum	American Mountain Ash	Nannyberry
Ninebark	American Plum	Eastern Redbud
Serviceberry	Fragrant Sumac	Wetland Pack
Wildlife Packet	Homeowner Packet	Nut Packet

Click Here for Order Form/Price List

For questions or orders please call the Nursery at (231) 652-7493.

SOIL INFORMATION

Know the soil before you build, farm, plant, or develop.  The Newaygo County Soil Survey information is available to help you understand your land or the land you may want to purchase.  Soil maps and descriptions can help you decide where high water tables exist, which trees should be planted on your property, and whether you are going to run into trouble with septic drain fields, etc.

VIDEOS & SLIDE SHOWS

Learning more about our natural resources and environment can be easier with the help of our video and slide shows.  Programs cover water quality, forestry, wetlands, closing abandoned wells, and may other topics.  Contact us regarding visual programs for you, your classroom and meetings.

WETLAND RESTORATION

Wetlands provide great habitat for wildlife as well as water quality improvement.   The District provides technical help for wetland restoration and can coordinate financial help to complete your wetland flooding project.  Please inquire into how you can develop a wetland.

Please contact us by calling at 231-924-2420 x 5 or by e-mailing us at:

gail.warnement@mi.nacdnet.net

KROPSCOTT FARM ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER

In the summer of l996, Earle and Mildred Kropscott of Fremont requested that the Board of Directors of the Newaygo Conservation District accept a donation of 80 acres of land.  The Board of Directors accepted the Kropscott’s gracious offer.  Mr. Kropscott’s wishes for this property are that it be used for educational purposes, agricultural purposes, and scientific studies pertaining to the environment and our natural resources.  The Board of Directors of the Newaygo Conservation District has honored those wishes and continues to make this property a place for everyone to utilize and to visit.

STEPHEN F. WESSLING OBSERVATORY

In 2004 the Newaygo Conservation District applied for and received a $100,000.00 grant from the Fremont Area Community Foundation and $30,000.00 from the Gerber Foundation to construct an astronomical observatory to be built on the Kropscott property.  On June 30, 2004 a ground breaking ceremony was held and 65 people attended as the unveiling of the Stephen F. Wessling (SFW) Observatory was presented by the Newaygo Conservation District Board of Directors.  Construction began on July 19, 2004 with anticipated completion by September 30, 2004.

Construction was completed in October 2004 with a ribbon cutting ceremony including Earle and Mildred Kropscott in the summer of 2005.  In conjunction with the Kropscott Farm Environmental Center, SFW Observatory's goal is to provide local area amateur astronomers the opportunity to observe and study the amazing universe in which we live.

The SFW Observatory has been open to the public during the months of May through October each and every year.  During these months two monthly scheduled events are open to the public and hosted by the Newaygo County Dark Sky Astronomers (NCDSA).  Dates and times can be located on the website:  www.sfwobservatory.org  Established in 2005, the Newaygo County Dark Sky Astronomers provide local area astronomers the opportunity to explore the universe. The NCDSA welcomes members of all ages and interest levels, from the first-time astronomer to the serious observer.

The historic Kropscott Farm is approximately seven miles north of Fremont (Stone Road and then west on Baseline Road) Look for the Centennial Farm marker as well as the Observatory sign on the north side of the road

Visitors’ Nights-
Admission for visitors' nights are $3 for Adults, $2 for 17 years and younger, and free for children under 5 years of age.

(Come equipped: Flashlights will be helpful for finding your way around in the dark, but should be kept directed toward the ground so as not to interfere with observing activities. Insect repellent or warm clothing (particularly for feet, head and hands) is strongly encouraged during appropriate seasons. Parts of the observatory are heated and cooled but the main telescope area in the building are open to the night air.)

         (Stephen Wessling with

Earle and Mildred Kropscott)

Managing Our Natural Resources

Newaygo Conservation District is an independent unit of state government which has a philosophy and commitment to the stewardship and conservation of the environment.  The NCD consults with landowners to educate them in the planning and use of their land.  All programs and services are available without regard to race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because of all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program.