Van Buren Conservation District

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and recent uptick in cases in Michigan, the Van Buren Conservation District is primarily working from home. Email is the best way to reach us, as we are checking voicemails infrequently. Please visit the staff link to obtain the staff member's email address that is appropriate for your inquiry. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we do our part to keep our staff and the rest of the community safe!

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Landscape Least Wanted

The mission of the Van Buren Conservation District is to promote the conservation of natural resources through partnerships, providing public education, demonstrations, and technical assistance while working together for future generations.

Board Meetings are open to the public and are the fourth Wednesday of each month, unless otherwise noted. The meetings start at 10:00 AM at the VBCD office (1035 E Michigan Ave., Paw Paw, MI 49079), unless otherwise noted.

Recent News

Volunteer Appreciation & Work Opportunity

Mark your calendars for our Volunteer Appreciation & Work Opportunity event at Thunderfoot Farm!   The VBCD welcomes past, present, and future volunteers to join us for a fun event on the farm! We will have food, information on volunteer opportunities for the year, and fun farm activities. Choose how you wish to participate. Come out to talk to the staff, watch sheep being shorn and grafting demonstrations, plant fruit trees and herb starters, and leave with giveaways! Registration is required. We look forward to seeing

Volunteer with Us: Macroinvertebrate Stream Monitoring

Stream Monitoring: Volunteer with Us! Help monitor our water’s health through the 10th annual macroinvertebrate stream monitoring event on May 5th! What is the macroinvertebrate stream monitoring? With volunteers and staff, we enter waterways to collect macroinvertebrates (bugs and the like) to monitor our water’s health. It is a fun experience! Who knew wearing waders and getting in nature was so cool? You don’t have to get into the water or have any experience. Just dress for the weather and walk in forested terrain. There

Farming for the Future 2024 – Session Descriptions Available

Farming for the Future is an annual educational event for local farmers and is a great opportunity to learn from agricultural specialists, educators, researchers, businesses, and other farmers. This year’s event is scheduled for March 13, 2024 at the Van Buren Conference Center from 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM. This year, we will have Dr. Alan Franzluebbers as our keynote speaker. His research focuses on soil ecology and management for development of more sustainable agricultural systems. Alan has a Ph.D. and is a research ecologist for the

Join Us! 2024 Naturalist Events

The Van Buren Conservation District is excited to begin announcing our Naturalist Events with our partners. Join our naturalists during hikes and paddles! Learn about the world around you- plants, animals, insect, environments, and so much more. Ask questions, learn interest facts, and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors! Our first naturalist event is coming soon, and we’ll add more as the year goes on. We hope you’ll join us!  2 March 2024 | Winter Walk with a Naturalist | Partnering with Van Buren District

Events

Events in February 2024

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
January 28, 2024
January 29, 2024
January 30, 2024
January 31, 2024
February 1, 2024
February 2, 2024
February 3, 2024
February 4, 2024

Category: General 12:00 pm: Backyard Symposium: Beginning Farmer Part 1


February 5, 2024

Category: General 12:00 pm: Backyard Symposium: Beginning Farmer Part 2


February 6, 2024

Category: General 12:00 pm: Backyard Symposium: Community Gardens


February 7, 2024

Category: General 12:00 pm: Backyard Symposium: Backyard Poultry


February 8, 2024

February 9, 2024
February 10, 2024
February 11, 2024
February 12, 2024
February 13, 2024
February 14, 2024
February 15, 2024

Category: General 1:00 pm: SWxSW Corner CISMA Annual Meeting


February 16, 2024

February 17, 2024
February 18, 2024

Category: General All day: Washington's Birthday

All day
February 19, 2024

February 20, 2024

Category: General All day: Staff Team Building Day

All day
February 21, 2024

February 22, 2024
February 23, 2024
February 24, 2024
February 25, 2024
February 26, 2024
February 27, 2024

Category: General 10:00 am: VBCD February 28, 2024 Regular Board Meeting


February 28, 2024

February 29, 2024
March 1, 2024

Category: General 11:00 am: Winter Walk with a Naturalist | Ross Coastal Plain Marsh Preserve


March 2, 2024

  • 4:00 pm 7:00 pm, April 23, 2024 – Large Tire Collection: South Haven
  • 10:00 am 12:00 pm, April 24, 2024 – VBCD April 24, 2024 Regular Board Meeting
  • 1:00 pm 5:00 pm, May 5, 2024 – Macroinvertebrate Stream Sampling
  • 11:00 am 1:00 pm, May 15, 2024 – 2024 VBCD Volunteer Appreciation and Work Opportunity
  • 3:00 pm 7:00 pm, May 21, 2024 – Passenger & Semi Tire and Electronics Collection: Arlington Township
  • 10:00 am 12:00 pm, May 22, 2024 – VBCD May 22, 2024 Regular Board Meeting
  • All day, May 27, 2024 – Memorial Day
  • All day 5:00 pm, May 31, 2024 – VBCD Board Director Nominating Petition(s) Due
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