Michigan’s Conservation Districts are “unique” local units of State Government, established to carry out programs for conservation. Conservation Districts utilize county, state, federal and private sector resources to assist people with the wise use and protection of the natural resources on their lands.
Conservation Districts continually scan the needs of their local communities, work in partnership with others involved in conservation to set local priorities, and develop action plans to solve natural resource problems. The delivery of these efforts by Conservation Districts allows citizens to manage their private lands for a cleaner, healthier Michigan.
The Van Buren Conservation District is governed by a locally elected, five-member Board of Directors. The Directors make decisions regarding the District’s programs and activities and hire qualified staff. The staff provide information, technical assistance, workshops, public education, cost-share opportunities, as well as affordable trees/shrubs to enhance wildlife and reforestation.
For more information about Michigan Conservation Districts, please visit the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts.
Click to access VBCD Annual Reports.
Employment Opportunities
The Van Buren Conservation District (VBCD) is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. VBCD programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, age, height, weight, disability, genetic information, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The VBCD collectively acknowledges that its offices and gatherings occupy the ancestral, traditional and contemporary Lands of the Council of the Three Fires – the Ojibwe, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi, ceded in multiple historic treaties. Through this acknowledgement, we recognize, support and advocate for the sovereignty of Michigan’s twelve federally-recognized Indian nations, and for historic Indigenous communities and individuals. The VBCD is committed to our obligations to those communities. The process of knowing and acknowledging the land we stand on is a way of honoring and expressing gratitude for the ancestral people who stewarded this land before us and their descendants who steward this land today.
For additional Natural Resources career opportunities, please also continue to visit Michigan Association of Conservation Districts to see about Districts across Michigan.
Volunteer Opportunities
For more information or to get on our general volunteer list, email info@vanburencd.org. Keep up to date with our Calendar to see currently posted dates and times as well.
Tree Seedling Wrapping
Typically done in early April at a farm in Hamilton Township
Shifts and a variety of tasks are available. Volunteers are needed prior to Tree Seedling Sale to help separate and wrap tree seedlings and prepare pre-orders for day-of-sale pick up. Let us know you are planning on attending; we provide food!
Tree Seedling Sales
Typically held the second Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in April at two locations each day:
Volunteers are needed to help set up/tear down tables, organize trees, talk to customers about tree species, and assist with handing out pre-orders. If you cannot be there for the whole time slot, join us for part of it!
Stream Monitoring/Insect Collections
First Sunday in May and First Sunday in October each year | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Lawrence River Park off of Paw Paw St. in Lawrence on the Paw Paw River.
Volunteers are needed to help collect aquatic insects in local waterways. Volunteers have the opportunity to be:
Each role is important and volunteers have the option of what they would like to do at the collection site. No prior knowledge or experience is necessary, Team Leaders are available at each site to assist volunteers. All materials and equipment necessary are provided.
Household Recycling Collections
Join us at one of our three Recycle Roundup Collections – typically held one Saturday in June in Paw Paw, one Saturday in August in South Haven, and one Saturday in October in Lawrence. Details available on our Recycling Collections webpage.
Volunteers are needed for setting up, directing traffic, checking in customers, and cleaning up. Volunteers will not be working with hazardous materials. If you cannot be there for the whole event, join us for part of it!
To sign-up, email resourcerecovery@vanburencd.org or call 269-633-9314.
Trail & Water Cleanups
Dates and Times Yet to be Determined
Volunteers can help with fun, community-based clean-ups (non-organic materials, trash/debris) in and along local rivers, streams, and creeks and trails.
For additional opportunities to canoe/kayak local waterways and help clean up, please check out Two Rivers Coalition.
Report sites or let us know you’re interested in a cleanup by emailing info@vanburencd.org.
Prescribed Burns
Dates and Times Yet to be Determined
18 years or older. Experience recommended but not necessary. Volunteers will assist in conducting a prescribed burn on ~30 acres of VBCD-owned grassland in Glendale, MI.
Volunteers can sign up for an “ACTIVE” roll using hand tools, torches, and water bags to help manage the burn, or a “SUPPORT” role focused on resupplying team members and maintaining communications and safety protocols. Long pants, sleeves, bandannas, and flame-resistant boots (more leather, less nylon) required. All clothing should be natural fiber (e.g. cotton, wool, etc.).
Office Duties
Volunteers are needed throughout the year to help with mailings, phone calls, filing, updating informational binders, etc.
Let us know you’re interested in helping by emailing info@vanburencd.org.
Emilly Hickmott, Executive Director
director@vanburencd.org
269-633-9054
Operations, Outreach, Office and Events Administration
Kim Sinclair, Administrator
administrator@vanburencd.org
269-633-9042
Financial Reporting, Accounts Payable/Receivable, Office and Events Administration
Erin Fuller, Water Quality Project Manager
watershed@vanburencd.org
269-218-0199
Grant Management, River Management, Data Analysis, Natural Shoreline Specialist, Native Plant Specialist, Bird Specialist, Community Outreach and Education, Website Technical Resource
Kyle Mead, Senior MAEAP Specialist
maeap@vanburencd.org
269-205-3377
Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP), Conservation Cover Crop Equipment Rental Management, Irrigation Specialist, Small Fruit Specialist, Farmer/Grower Resource
Colleen Forestieri, Senior Conservation Specialist
agconservation@vanburencd.org
269-218-0119
Grant Management, Data Analysis, Cover Crop Specialist, Agricultural Communication and Education Specialist, Farmer/Grower Resource
Alex Florian, CISMA Coordinator
invasivesed@vanburencd.org
269-633-9044
Coordinator for SWxSW Corner Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA), covering Berrien, Cass, Van Buren Counties. Invasive Species Management, Outreach, Education, and Coordination, Native Plant Specialist
Lucas Hartman, Conservation Technician
agtechnician@vanburencd.org
269-633-9057
NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service) Landowner Resource, Butterfield Drain and Haydon Woods Property Management, Wildlife Specialist, Hunter Resource
Abbie Bristol, Strike Team Coordinator
invasivesmgmt@vanburencd.org
269-633-9058
SWxSW Corner CISMA Strike Team Coordinator, Invasive Species Treatment Specialist, Outreach, Education, and Coordination, Native Plant Specialist
Jacob Diljak, Outreach Coordinator
outreach@vanburencd.org
269-633-9052
Outreach, Financial, Office, and Events Support, Resource Recovery Support
Lia Will, Administrative Associate
admin_associate@vanburencd.org
Financial, Office, and Events Administration, Volunteer Services
Kalli Marshall, Recycling & Materials Management Coordinator
resourcerecovery@vanburencd.org
269-633-9314
Resource Recovery & Recycling Management, Outreach, Education, and Coordination
Carlie Southland, Conservation Associate
education@vanburencd.org
Water Quality Project Support, Event Support
Gabriel Francisco, Conservation Technician
conservation_tech@vanburencd.org
269-633-9428
NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service) Landowner and Farm Bill Resource
Jena Johnson, Invasive Species Technician
269-366-7287
Invasive Species Treatment & Survey and Crew Leadership
Seasonal Strike Team Crew
crew@vanburencd.org
Seasonal Invasive Species Treatment
Patrick Gordon, Produce Safety Technician, Berrien County Conservation District
patrick.gordon@macd.org
Safe Food Growing & Harvesting Practices Specialist,
Grower Resource covering Allegan, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren Counties
Bill VanTassel
Chair
Jan Petersen
Vice-Chair
Carl Druskovich
Treasurer
Paulette Rybarski
Secretary
Ron Klein
Member
If you are interested in becoming a Board Director for the Van Buren Conservation District and are a resident of Van Buren County, please call 269-657-4030 x5 or email info@vanburencd.org for a Nomination Petition.
At least 60 days prior to the District’s Annual Meeting (usually a July meeting), interested residents must file the Nomination Petition to run for the Conservation District Board. Petitions need be completed and returned to the VBCD Office (1035 E. Michigan Ave. Paw Paw, MI 49079) before this time. Candidates are placed on a ballot and publicly elected at the Conservation District’s Annual Meeting. The standard term length for Board Directors is four (4) years. For more information on how a Board Director serves the community, please contact the VBCD.
If you are interested in getting involved but not as a VBCD Board of Director, please consider joining the Van Buren Conservation District Foundation Board. You can learn more about the Foundation using the link above.
Click to access VBCD Board Meeting Minutes and Agendas.
Click to access VBCD Staff Board Reports and Financial Documents.
The Van Buren Conservation District could not excel at what we do without strong, knowledgeable partners. We are ever-grateful for the willingness of so many organizations and individuals who help conserve Van Buren County and beyond. Click on the logos below for more information about some of our partners.
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS)
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)
Michigan Conservation District Association (MACD)
Van Buren County
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR)
Michigan Department Agricultural and Rural Development (MDARD)
Michigan/Van Buren County Farm Bureau
Michigan State University Extension (MSUE)
National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD)
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi
Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy (SWMLC)
Southwest Michigan Planning Commission (SWMPC)
The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
Two Rivers Coalition (TRC)
The Van Buren Conservation District could not excel at what we do without strong, knowledgeable municipality partners. We are ever-grateful for the willingness of those who help conserve Van Buren County and beyond. Click on the logos below for more information about some of our municipality partners.
Van Buren County Government
Almena Township
Antwerp Township
Arlington Township
Bangor Township
Bloomingdale Township
City of Bangor
City of Gobles
City of Hartford
City of South Haven
Columbia Township
Covert Township
Decatur Township
Geneva Township
Hamilton Township
Hartford Township
Keeler Township
Lawrence Township
Paw Paw Township
Pine Grove Township
Porter Township
South Haven Charter Township
Village of Bloomingdale
Village of Breedsville
Village of Decatur
Village of Lawrence
Village of Lawton
Village of Mattawan
Village of Paw Paw
Waverly Township
Founded: January 1992
Mission: The Van Buren Conservation District Foundation serves to support the Van Buren Conservation District and all people in the promotion of effective conservation practices to protect and preserve our natural resources, human health, and the environment.
Board of Directors:
Board Meetings: Open to the public. Meetings are held at the VBCD Office (1035 E. Michigan Ave. Paw Paw, MI). Please contact the VBCD by emailing info@vanburencd.org or calling 269-657-4030×5 for more information.
Each year, the Van Buren Conservation District (VBCD) Board & Staff select a farmer who has shown excellence in conservation farming and community leadership. Awardees are awarded at the VBCD Annual Meeting the year after the award year ends.
Picture left: Mary Ellis accepting the 2023 Farmer of the Year Award from Kyle Mead, VBCD Senior MAEAP Specialist
2023 – Mary Ellis
2022 – Straight Line Red Angus (Mike & Casey Bozung)
2021 – Kolberg Family Farm
2018 – Windshadow Farms (Klein Family)
2017 – Gene Sahr
2016 – Brookside Farms
2015 – Hemenway Farms
2014 – Bill Mihelich
2013 – Carl Druskovich
2012 – George Kusmack
2011 – Gayle Branch
2010 – True Blue Farms
Each year, the Van Buren Conservation District (VBCD) Board & Staff select a member of the community or organization who has shown excellence in conservation service and community leadership. Awardees are awarded at the VBCD Annual Meeting the year after the award year ends.
Picture left: Steve Bare accepting the 2023 Conservationist of the Year Award from Kim Sinclair, VBCD Administrator
2023 – Steve Bare
2022 – Tim Kling
2021 – Two Rivers Coalition
2020 – Susan Mathews
2019 – Phil Hover
2018 – Buster Turner
2017 – Carol Harris
2016 – Community Thrift Shop
2015 – Cathy Brockington
2014 – Kenneth Nesbitt
2013 – Larry Nielson
2012 – Dave Foerster
2011 – Marcy Hamilton
2010 – Kevin Haight
