Hi First name / Subscriber! Thanks for taking the time to read the January edition of the Muskegon Conservation District Newsletter.
As we enter into 2026, we're prepping for the Spring seedling sale, planning for upcoming workshops, and getting ready for the burst of work that unfolds as the weather begins to turn. The light is slowly returning, and we'll be spotting the first buds before we know it.
Spring Seedling Sale
The Muskegon Conservation District will soon be taking orders for our spring seedling sale. This is the districts largest sale of the year with conifers, hardwoods, shrubs, seed mixes, wildlife houses, fertilizer tablets, fruit trees, dune grass and more! This will be your one stop shop for planting and habitat restoration projects in time for spring.
Hemlock woolly adelgid(HWA) is an invasive insect that feeds at the base of hemlock tree needles. This time of year, you can see the ovisacs that look like small, white cotton balls. You might also notice dead needle tips, yellowing, or just general sparseness of canopy.
Hemlock trees provide shade and shelter for wildlife year-round and are a slow-growing keystone species to the forests and environments of West Michigan and are not easily replaceable. Once infested with HWA, a hemlock tree has 4-10 years to live unless treated. At MCD, we survey hemlocks all winter long and then we come back out to treat them in the summer. If you have questions about your hemlocks, do not hesitate to reach out to us!
Michigan Association of Environmental Professionals Grant Awarded to MCD
Earlier this month, we were thrilled to receive grant funding to purchase educational materials for our continued work in classrooms and beyond!
If you're an educator and would like access to MCD education supplies and equipment, we have a wide selection of materials available to you! Supplies include: Enviroscape, animal furs and skulls, flower model, compasses, macroinvertebrate education materials, etc. If you would like a detailed list and description of the supplies available, please contact sabrina.huizenga@macd.org.
Note: There is a $20 deposit fee and a rental agreement form that can be filled out at the MCD office. 4735 Holton Rd Twin Lake, MI 49457
Green infrastructure and Low Impact Development (LID) are practical, cost-effective ways to manage stormwater, protect water quality, and build healthier communities. Practices like rain gardens, native plantings, tree canopies, and shoreline buffers slow runoff, increase infiltration, and reduce pollutants before they reach our lakes and streams. Unlike traditional “gray” infrastructure, green solutions work with natural systems—often improving habitat, aesthetics, and property value at the same time.
One of the easiest ways to incorporate green infrastructure is by planting native trees, shrubs, and plants. Deep root systems help stabilize soil, absorb excess water, and filter nutrients, making them a powerful tool for homeowners, businesses, and municipalities alike.
Our annual Seedling Sale goes live February 3, offering a great opportunity to take action. Whether you’re planning a rain garden, enhancing a riparian buffer, or simply adding more native vegetation to your yard, seedlings are a simple and affordable way to support LID principles right where you live.
Every planting makes a difference. By choosing green infrastructure solutions, we can reduce flooding, improve water quality, and protect the natural resources that make our watershed thrive.
As a reminder, after January 12, small game access permits will be available for MCD parcels. This will allow those interested in hunting small game during late winter on MCD properties the opportunity to do so. Furthermore, spring turkey permits will also be available March 3. Turkey and small game permits are $30. Prospective permit holders who purchased an all seasons permit during the previous year are eligible for a $5 discount on the current year's permit. These permits will grant access rights to all parcels open to hunting. To obtain your permit, feel free to come into the office during our hours of operation (7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Tuesday to Friday).
If you have questions please contact our office at 231-828-5097 or by email at muskegoncd@macd.org.
