Beth Clawson
Clawsonb@msu.edu
Cellphone: 269-330-5554
Kalamazoo County Extension Office
Community Food Systems
Beth's background in natural resources, wildlife management, and water quality along with her past experiences in resource recovery, composting and home gardening makes her a well rounded educator for a variety of MSU Extension programs.
A Michigan State University Extension Educator since 2001, Beth educates and consults in the area of natural resources,water quality and invasive species. She is coordinating the Michigan Master Naturalist program; and supporting the Michigan Clean Boats, Clean Waters programs statewide, Natural Shorelines Landscaping for Homeowners; and onsite wastewater treatment (septic) system maintenance for homeowners programs.
Authored Articles
- Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum appoints MSU Extension educator as new trustee, November 27, 2019
- Worm composting or vermicomposting, August 15, 2019
- Common pond types in Michigan, July 1, 2019
- How much water is in my pond?, April 30, 2019
- Become a Michigan Master Naturalist, April 1, 2019
- New law makes the job easier for boat inspectors, March 20, 2019
- Can medications harm my septic system?, February 8, 2019
- Diversify your invasive species prevention volunteer group, February 1, 2019
- Protect your septic system from large party gatherings, December 19, 2018
- Cold weather kills pond duckweeds, until spring, December 6, 2018
- Could you please tell me what native plants I can plant on the drain field?, September 7, 2018
- 2018 enrollment open for Michigan Conservation Stewards Program, August 2, 2018
- The benefits of septic tank risers, July 23, 2018
- Landscaping workshop for lakefront property owners, July 23, 2018
- Michigan energized for 5th annual Aquatic Invasive Species Week, June 25, 2018
- Why do I need to clean my septic tank every three years?, June 25, 2018
- Pasture ponds, horses and algae. Oh my!, April 4, 2018
- Pond plants are a vital part of a balanced aquatic ecosystem, April 2, 2018
- Michigan Water School set for May 2018 in Kalamazoo, March 20, 2018
- Seed catalogs are in — time to begin planning for landscaping your pond or lakeshore, February 14, 2018
- Don’t flush that! Baby wipes and other products cause backups, January 31, 2018
- Have a safe and worry free Christmas, December 28, 2017
- Canada geese: migration and your shoreline, November 17, 2017
- Understanding the role of oxygen in our lakes and ponds, October 23, 2017
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources reports Japanese stiltgrass detected in Michigan, September 12, 2017
- Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement commitment plan open for public comment, August 24, 2017
- Aquatic invasive species spread is preventable with a few simple steps, June 13, 2017
- Making your native plant choices for Michigan inland lake shorelines, May 1, 2017
- Pest mosquitoes love standing water and warm weather, May 1, 2017
- Two Clean Boats, Clean Waters leadership trainings sponsored by Mid-Michigan CISMA, April 3, 2017
- Planning natural shoreline landscaping on your inland lake, March 30, 2017
- Protecting your shoreline: A workshop for inland lakefront property owners, March 30, 2017
- Understanding lake fetch, February 28, 2017
- Shoreline and Shallows Conference: Increasing Habitat, Reducing Threats, February 1, 2017
- Order native plants for shorelines early, January 26, 2017
- Aquatic invasive species thrives in winter, January 19, 2017
- Winter visits your backyard pond, December 30, 2016
- Why is my lake water lowered in the winter?, December 30, 2016
- Winter compost piles are still working, December 30, 2016
- Clean boats, clean waters season wrap-up, November 9, 2016
- Using aquatic dyes in ponds, November 8, 2016
- Wake boat ballast bags can harbor invasive species, July 25, 2016
- Michigan Conservation Stewards Program enrolling students for 2016, July 25, 2016
- Preserve your natural backyard pond, May 25, 2016
- Is your pet an invasive species?, April 19, 2016
- 2016 Clean Boats Clean Waters trainings, April 5, 2016
- Workshop teaches about the importance of natural shorelines on inland lakes, March 16, 2016
- Phragmites, how is it an invasive: Part 3, February 15, 2016
- Phragmites invasions harm riparian ecology: Part 2, November 19, 2015
- Phragmites, invasions harm riparian property values: Part 1, November 9, 2015
- Native plants: hard working beauty at your shoreline, August 18, 2015
- MiCorps training aids in early detection of invasive species, August 18, 2015
- Oakland County, Michigan adopts cooperative invasive species management area strategies, August 18, 2015
- Spread the word, not the species, August 18, 2015
- Asian Carp and Hydrilla are too close for comfort, June 19, 2015
- Spotlight on Hydrilla verticillata, June 19, 2015
- Don’t move a mussel, or a water milfoil or any other aquatic invasive species!, May 12, 2015
- Why are there lady bugs on my windowsill?, April 22, 2015
- Spring is wildfire season, April 14, 2015
- Facilitation can help difficult discussions about climate change, April 13, 2015
- Avoid “winter kill” in your pond, February 26, 2015
- Spiny waterfleas are winter survivors, February 12, 2015
- Clean Boats Clean Waters training slated for 2015, January 29, 2015
- Eat your invasives, December 23, 2014
- Avoid spreading aquatic invasive species when winterizing your water garden, November 10, 2014
- Garbage to Garden: Mid-scale composting offered as a webinar, October 29, 2014
- The crisp clean air of autumn fouled by the smell of smoke, October 2, 2014
- Garbage to Garden: A workshop for mid-scale composting, October 2, 2014
- Van Buren County celebrates 100 years of Extension, August 29, 2014
- Interest in agriculture careers are on the rise, August 29, 2014
- What are your food needs during National Farmers Market Week, August 3 - 9?, July 31, 2014
- Do not take aquatic plants from a lake or stream, July 29, 2014
- Composting in community gardens, July 3, 2014
- Cleaning your gear helps to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, June 23, 2014
- Lessons learned from shopping at farm market stands and farmers markets, May 29, 2014
- Didymo (Didymosphenia geminata) aka 'Rock Snot' is spreading, May 22, 2014
- Aquatic invasive plants and animals hitch a ride on your boats and trailers, May 1, 2014
- Springtime in Michigan: A wildfire tinderbox, April 24, 2014
- Youth-based community gardens offer much more than gardening experiences, March 25, 2014
- Managing organic food waste in your business, March 18, 2014
- Merchandising increases your success in selling local produce directly, February 26, 2014
- Get started farming with community supported agriculture webinar series, February 24, 2014
- Become a label sleuth to detect locally-produced foods, January 28, 2014
- Local meat producers have more options for their meat products, January 27, 2014
- Food hubs: Clarifying the concept, December 31, 2013
- Compost piles will warm up and steam in the winter, December 23, 2013
- Community gardens can remain active even when gardening is not, November 7, 2013
- Pumpkins and winter squash are still locally available, November 6, 2013
- Compost to protect the air and water and help prevent fall wildfires, October 20, 2013
- School lunches can include local food, be healthy and be waste-free too!, September 17, 2013
- Public relations and communicating your community garden message, September 12, 2013
- Does your definition of “local foods” include foraging for wild edibles?, July 19, 2013
- Growing money to support your community garden and other fundraising ideas, July 11, 2013
- Fireworks and wildfire: a flame to the tinder, July 1, 2013
- Learning from past community gardening efforts in order to improve your future, June 12, 2013
- Adding egg shells to compost, May 31, 2013
- Community gardens organizations need structure and strategic planning, May 23, 2013
- Starting a community garden project takes organization, May 5, 2013
- Community gardens add asset-based community development, April 13, 2013
- Community and school gardens promote sharing and diversity, March 16, 2013
- Michigan wildfire season may be delayed by March snowfall, March 16, 2013
- Michigan offers local foods even in the winter, March 4, 2013
- Community garden leaders could glean inspiration from new workshop, February 4, 2013
- Teaching kids about local foods helps develop a family food culture, February 3, 2013
- Joining a community supported agriculture (CSA) farm has benefits, December 31, 2012
- Have a "fire-wise" Christmas, December 21, 2012
- School gardens leaders require resources, November 29, 2012
- School garden programs and starting a school garden takes planning, November 29, 2012
- Good food, food security, food insecure homes, and farm to consumer – What’s going on?, October 31, 2012
- Leaves compost: fall is a great time to add it to gardens, October 24, 2012
- Buying local reduces food waste, which is recyclable as compost for your garden, September 20, 2012
- Extending your garden growing season gives you more fruit and vegetable choices, September 20, 2012
- Ten things to do with a zucchini, August 14, 2012
- Hornworms: Are they eating my tomatoes?, August 13, 2012
- Seeking alternative pollinators, June 14, 2012
- Managing your summer compost, June 7, 2012
- Great compost in five easy steps, May 7, 2012
- Wildfire-resistant landscape plants can protect your home, April 30, 2012
- Last chance to start seeds indoors, April 5, 2012
- Plan your garden, March 28, 2012
- What are your plants telling you?, March 20, 2012
- As weather warms, you might be bugged by lady bugs, March 1, 2012
- Are you worried that last year's seeds won't grow in your garden?, March 1, 2012
- Five steps to a successful schoolyard garden, February 20, 2012
- Many farm markets still open, December 29, 2011
- Trade in stamps for seeds and starter plants, December 29, 2011
- Farmers and food service professionals gather in South Haven, Mich., November 11, 2011
- Oh, deer. Oh, dear., November 10, 2011
- Repairing ornamental plants and trees from storm damage, July 14, 2011
Authored Documents
- Tips for Buying and Using Fresh Herbs (E3179AR), November 4, 2015
- Michigan Fresh: Herbs (E3179), January 14, 2015