West Michigan Area
Thank you for your interest in the Michigan State University Extension Michigan Conservation Stewards Program (CSP), an educational program for those who are enthusiastic about learning science-based ecosystem management principles and sharing this knowledge with others to help improve their local communities. Through this program, participants will learn essential strategies to understand and help restore and conserve ecosystems in Michigan communities.
The West Michigan Area (Barry, Calhoun, Kalamazoo) cohort will host their weekly evening sessions from 6-8:30 p.m. on Thursdays, from Sept. 14 to Nov. 16, 2023. Weekly evening sessions will meet throughout the West Michigan Area region. Exact locations and speakers will be announced once available. Please note, there will not be weekly evening sessions on Nov. 2 and Nov. 9, 2023.
The West Michigan Area cohort's field trips will be held on September 23 and October 28, 2023.
West Michigan Area Schedule
|
Date |
Topic |
Location |
Speaker |
|
Sept. 14 |
Program Orientation; Foundations of Conservation: Ecological Foundations; What is a Natural Community? |
Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) |
Misty Klotz, Kellogg Biological Station (KBS); Ellen Holste, Pierce Cedar Creek Institute (PCCI); Beth Clawson, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension; Nick Haddad, KBS/MSU |
|
Sept. 21 |
Foundations of Conservation: Society & Conservation |
Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) |
Ayley Shortridge, KBS; Beth Clawson, MSU; Partner Organizations |
|
Sat., Sept. 23, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. |
Wetlands Field Trip |
Palmer Memorial Nature Sanctuary and Wilkie Memorial Plant Preserve on Paw Paw Lake |
Rachel Maranto, Conservation Manager, Michigan Nature Association (MNA); Dan Burton, MNA Steward and CSP alumni |
|
Sept. 28 |
Aquatic Ecosystems: Lakes |
Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) |
Erick Elgin, MSU Extension; Julia Kirkwood, Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) |
|
Oct. 5 |
Aquatic Ecosystems: Streams |
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute (PCCI) |
Eric Snyder, PhD, Grand Valley State University; Sara Syswerda, PhD, PCCI |
|
Oct. 12 |
Aquatic Ecosystems: Wetland Ecosystems |
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute (PCCI) |
Danielle Zoellner, PhD; Ellen Holste, PhD, PCCI |
|
Oct. 19 |
Terrestrial Ecosystems: Forests |
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute (PCCI) |
Jarred Saralecos, MSU; Drew Vandegrift, PCCI; Ben Savoie, District Forester for Barry, Allegan, and Ottawa Conservation Districts |
|
Oct. 26 |
Terrestrial Ecosystems: Grasslands |
Kellogg Bird Sanctuary |
Tyler Bassett, PhD, Michigan Natural Features Inventory; Cynthia Fiser, MSU |
|
Sat., Oct. 28, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. |
Forest, Prairie, Macroinvertebrates Field Trip |
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute (PCCI) |
Georgia Peterson, MSU Extension; Matt Dykstra, PCCI; Denny Stelzer |
|
Nov. 2 |
No Class |
|
|
|
Nov. 9 |
No Class |
|
|
|
Nov. 16 |
Putting it All Together: Capstone Project Celebration |
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute (PCCI) |
CSP Students |
For cohort and content related questions, please reach out to Misty Klotz at klotzmis@msu.edu.
For general questions and registration assistance, please contact Shelby Warner at warner80@msu.edu or 517-884-7076.
Print
Email