Hi First name / Subscriber! Thank you for taking the time to read the June edition of the Muskegon Conservation District Newsletter! 

 

This month you can read about how MCD takes action to ensure safe stormwater runoff through dry weather screening, what outreach activities have taken place recently, upcoming workshops, new exciting grants and much more! 

 

Dry weather screening is a field test method for inspecting storm water drainage areas to help locate and identify harmful and illegal discharges to a municipal storm water system. The field testing (screening) is designed primarily for testing flowing water discharges in a storm water conveyance during dry weather, but it is also appropriate for detecting water quality problems in any urban waterway.

 

Many municipalities, counties and other agencies have been designated as Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems, or “MS4s”. These MS4s must receive a permit to discharge storm water to waters of the state. A key permit requirement for the MS4 is the preparation of a plan to detect and eliminate illicit discharges. Inspecting a storm water system during dry weather can be an effective way to find illicit discharges. For this reason, many MS4s institute a dry weather screening program as part of their individual Storm Water Management Plans

 

Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets prevent stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground. Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly to a lake, stream, river, wetland, or coastal water. Anything that enters a storm drain is discharged untreated into the waterbodies we use for swimming, fishing, and providing drinking water.  

 

An illicit discharge is any discharge into a storm drain system that is not composed entirely of storm water. The substance or materials found in the discharge are considered pollutants. These materials include but are not limited to detergents, fertilizers/ pesticides, fuels, animal waste, plant waste (ex: grass clippings), salt, sediment, solvents, and other chemicals that require a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

 

For discharges believed to be hazardous substance or material, call 911, to contact the Muskegon County Hazmat team.

 

If not a major health concern, please call your local department of public works ASAP so they can begin the investigation process within their sewage system:

City of Muskegon: (231) 724-4100

Muskegon Heights: (231) 733-8870

North Muskegon: (231) 744-1621

Norton Shores: (231) 799-6803

Roosevelt Park: (231) 755-3721

Muskegon Water Resource Commission (231) 724-6219

Muskegon Road Commission (231) 788-2381

 

If you are having trouble getting ahold of a municipality staff member, please call the Muskegon conservation District at (231) 828-5097.

The Muskegon Conservation District has had a busy season of outreach, participating in various community events throughout Muskegon, while staff also attended several conferences and professional development opportunities.

 

Some of the highlights include visiting numerous classrooms to educate students about the role of conservation districts, how we help protect local natural resources, and how we serve as a resource for communities across Michigan. A standout moment was when MCD staff spoke to FFA classes at the Muskegon County Career Tech Center. Staff shared insights about conservation careers and discussed the skills commonly used in the natural resources field—particularly for students interested in environmental or conservation-based work.

 

MCD also participated in several community events, where staff demonstrated the challenges of stormwater runoff and how planting native vegetation can help mitigate its impact. One such event was Grand Trunk Day—a long-standing tradition involving cleanup efforts, native plantings, invasive species control, and environmental education for local classrooms at the Grand Trunk boat launch.

 

In addition, MCD staff attended the Michigan Lakes and Streams Conference, held in downtown Muskegon this spring. This event provided an opportunity to share information with both the public and partnering organizations. It served as a space for professional networking, sharing recent discoveries, and participating in valuable training sessions with a wide range of environmental stakeholders.

 

Two MCD staff members, Stephen Brillinger and Adam Hughey, also completed training through the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership, earning certification as Natural Shoreline Professionals. This three-day course included classroom instruction, hands-on field training, and a written exam. With this certification, MCD project managers are now better equipped to implement natural shoreline restoration projects that benefit fish and wildlife, address shoreline erosion, and improve the appearance and stability of waterfront properties.

 

MCD is proud to have taken part in these events and trainings as part of our ongoing mission to protect, preserve, and conserve Muskegon’s natural resources—and to support the communities that call this region home.

Stephen Brillinger

 

The spring season is one of the most exciting times for wildlife surveys. Many species are actively courting, breeding, and raising young—making them more vocal, more visible, and easier to observe. It's an ideal time to monitor wildlife such as songbirds, waterfowl, amphibians, and reptiles.

 

These surveys do more than just record animal sightings. They provide essential insight into population trends and the overall health of ecosystems. This is especially important as many species are vulnerable to pollution, habitat loss, and other environmental pressures. Often, the data collected supports long-term monitoring efforts that help track changes over many years.

 

This spring, the Muskegon Conservation District (MCD) is conducting three major bird survey projects with support from separate grant programs: Marsh Monitoring, Breeding Bird Surveys, and Secretive Marsh Bird Monitoring. Each of these projects is focused on understanding the diversity, abundance, and seasonal behavior of bird species across different habitats in the region.

 

Some surveys are designed to count how many species are present at a particular site, while others focus on the total number of birds and trends in population levels. Combined, they provide a broader picture of bird activity and health across the landscape.

 

In addition to bird monitoring, MCD is also conducting amphibian surveys as part of the Marsh Monitoring program. These efforts are focused on detecting specific species of frogs and toads at various times throughout the spring, based on weather conditions and breeding cycles. Amphibians are important ecological indicators, and their presence or absence helps assess the condition of local wetlands.

 

MCD staff are also actively monitoring reptile populations, with a particular focus on threatened turtle species. For the past two months, the team has been conducting surveys in the Muskegon River Watershed and southern Newaygo County. These efforts are supported by two separate grants in coordination with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Natural Features Inventory.

 

Species of concern include wood turtles, Blanding's turtles, and eastern box turtles. Surveys will continue through the summer to monitor nesting activity and determine nest success, providing vital data for conservation and recovery efforts.

 

Together, these spring and summer surveys help build a stronger understanding of the natural world and provide the scientific foundation for protecting vulnerable species and their habitats. The Muskegon Conservation District will continue sharing updates as these efforts progress.

 

If you’re interested in getting involved or learning more about our wildlife projects, visit our website or contact us directly. There are plenty of opportunities to support local conservation in action.

Sponsorships are available for both workshops. Reach out to Melanie Knapp at melanie.knapp@macd.org for more details on how you can sponsor these events!

 

To register for either of these workshops you can visit the MCD website at muskegoncd.org/events

 

The Sun & Soil workshop is a collaborative event between Muskegon Conservation District, NRCS and Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association with support from Michigan Farm Bureau. The workshop will focus on Conservation Practices for the Landowner and Improving Energy Efficiency for the Homeowner. 

 

 

Kelly Bishop, District Conservationist with the NRCS, will lead a discussion on conservation practices available to landowners, with a focus on Farm Bill Program planning and how these programs can aid in implementing effective land management strategies. Following this, Duane Watson from the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association will present on improving energy efficiency for homeowners. His session will include an in-depth analysis of our energy systems from source to use, incorporating active attendee participation. The workshop will also feature demonstrations of new and innovative energy-efficient home products to highlight improvements and potential savings compared to traditional technologies.

 

The Rooted & Resilient Workshop is a collaborative event focused on helping

participants make the most of their land—no matter the size. Hosted at Woven Trifecta in Whitehall, the workshop is geared toward homeowners, renters, and anyone interested in sustainable land use.

 

 Sunday, Sept 7th 2:00-4:00pm

 

This interactive workshop will feature a variety of speakers exploring the “Closed-Loop” approach to sustainable living, offering practical ways to make the most of any space—from a small patio to several acres of land. Samantha Otto, owner of Woven Trifecta, will share how she integrates conservation into her closed-loop farming operation by utilizing local, state, and federal programs. Evert VanderBerg, North American Sustainability and EHS Lead at HiLite International, will discuss a collaborative project with the Muskegon Conservation District that involved converting turf grass into native habitat to support pollinators and reduce irrigation needs. Andrew Booher, MAEAP Technician, will focus on soil health and native plant establishment. Tickets are $10 and include workshop-related take-home goodies and farm-to-table refreshments.

MCD's Forest Pest Manager, Lance McCarty, recently secured new grant funding through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. This grant will support the planning and installation of several food forests throughout downtown Muskegon.

 

These food forests will feature native plant species that produce edible fruits, helping to improve food accessibility, strengthen community connections with nature, and promote education about native plants. The project will highlight how native species can benefit not only pollinators and wildlife, but also people—by providing food, enhancing biodiversity, and supporting healthy ecosystems.

 

Implementation will take place over the next few years and promises to create a unique and meaningful way for downtown residents to engage with and enjoy the natural environment.

 

MCD is excited for this project to take place and look forward to adding to the meaningful and long lasting impacts on the natural resources in Muskegon! 

If you are interested in receiving a well documented list of the species present on your property or you are just looking to have specific plants on your property identified MCD can help. Our staff have years of local botanical experience and are very passionate about plants and would love to come out to your property.  

 

These surveys are can be done in a variety of ways, however MCD staff will typically be performing a meander survey. These surveys are traditionally done by outlining a sample location and walking through it documenting each new species identified as well as the frequency of those species. The survey is completed when you have walked through the entire sampling area. The diversity and abundance are then used to make approximations on other portions of your property.  

 

These surveys can be helpful in order to greater understand what species may be present on your property and what you can do to ensure that they flourish. Michigan has over 200 plants that are considered of concern. Many of these plants are listed as threatened, endangered, or even locally extirpated. To view of a full list of plants of conservation concern within Michigan click here.  

 

If you are curious about finding invasive species on your property we can help with that as well! Muskegon Conservation District is also a licensed pesticide applicator business in Michigan and is able to provide knowledge, expertise, identification, and small treatments for individuals if desired.  

 

If you would be interested in receiving a quote for a botanical survey you can contact MCD by emailing at muskegoncd@macd.org or by calling (231)-828-5097. 

 

Michigan forests are not as “pristine” as some in the media would have us believe.  Nearly all Lake States forests are the product of severe human disturbance and all the forests are facing significant threats.    

 

  I stood quietly overlooking the Maggia River valley in southern Switzerland contemplating the differences between the forest around me the forests of home.  I looked downslope, across a stone terrace that was once a piece of a vineyard, and marveled at the leaf pattern of some young chestnut trees where grapes no longer grow.  

  The long serrated leaves, forming a unique pattern of distribution, were once one of the most common sights in eastern North America.  No more.  Not for over a century.  Our New World chestnut has been all but eliminated from the forest by a blight imported from Asia.  That was a category five disturbance.  

  American chestnut had been the most ubiquitous tree among the eastern hardwoods.  It made excellent timber and the nuts were good food.  Nobody alive remembers the expansive American chestnut forests.  Gone like the passenger pigeon.

  As I look around where I’m standing among the shoulders of the Alps, I see the spiny fruits from last year.  They remind me of sea urchins.  I think of the wood in Conestoga wagons, named after the Pennsylvania County where German immigrants designed the vehicle.

  As I gaze across the expansive valley, framed by rock cliffs carved by glacial ice, I am reminded that the physical geography of the Alps greatly reduced tree diversity on the north side, as the forests were smashed-up against the high peaks.  There are more tree species on the south side.  

  I also think about tree species losses in the Lake States.  Chestnut only reached a small portion of what is now Michigan.  But across its larger range it’s nearly absent.  My thought process extends to American elm and red elm.  They, too, have almost dropped out of the picture, but not as substantially as chestnut.  

  More recently, most of us are all too familiar with the losses of white ash, black ash, and green ash from the emerald ash borer.  I have a small but growing collection of ash lumber.  I’m saving it for my grandchildren, so my son can make them furniture from a nearly extinct set of species.  

  Similarly, beech bark disease has removed the beech component from our forests.  Beech had an interesting distribution in Michigan, not daring to cross west of a line that ran roughly from Iron Mountain to Marquette.  Black bears are poster children among those wildlife that will lament the loss of beech.  The bears will be just fine but they’ve lost a favorite food.  And we have lost a marvelous species.

  We hear more and more about oak wilt, which has been documented since the 1940s.  The disease has spread to many oak forests, especially those oaks in the “red oak group” of species.  One can argue that many of our oak forests are largely products of human history and not “naturally” occurring.  However, to the visitor or resident, that matters little as they watch the oak forest brown and die.  

  Then also, we’ve lost butternut and bitternut.  They were always less common.  Now, they’re almost non-existent.  Our hemlocks have been hit, now, by a woolly adelgid, which is a small sap-sucking insect.  Much hemlock has been killed in the eastern states.  Most of Michigan’s hemlock grows in the U.P. and has yet to see the adelgid that has popped-up in parts of the Lower Peninsula along Lake Michigan.

  The gradual, but increasing, loss of tree species concerns some folks.  Others barely notice.  Trees are just trees.  However, the “biggie” to watch for is the Asian long horned-beetle or ALB.

  The ALB has a long host list but its favorites are maples.  Try to imagine the Lake States without maples!  The ALB has been eradicated in several places.  The closest active infestation is in southern Ohio.  

  Europe has only a fraction of the number of tree species found in North America.  By and large, their forests are less diverse and human populations significantly higher.  As I stand on my mountainside overlooking chestnut crowns, I wonder how North America will fare with massive attrition of forest species.  Europe seems to be doing alright.  Yet, I’m saddened that my grandchildren will not be able to enjoy the same sort of forests from when I was a kid.  

  I suppose time will tell.