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The Southwest Corner Cluster (SWCC) of the Stewardship Network serves organizations and individuals in the southwest region of Michigan. Lead organizations of the SWCC include: the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy; The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Land Owner Incentive Program, Stewardship Program, Kalamazoo Nature Center, and Fort Custer Training Center Environmental Section; and The Nature Conservancy. These and other organizations and individuals combine resources, efforts, knowledge, and experience in order to enhance stewardship capacity and on the ground efforts at land management and restoration.
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Support Your Local Cluster Today!
Donate Today to Become a Member!
Are you Part of an Organization?
Find out More about our Memorandum of Understanding Memberships!
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Southwest Corner Cluster Events 2010
Click the name of a workshop to be taken to a registration form for that event
NOTE: ALL WORKSHOPS REQUIRE REGISTRATION.
Are you looking to share a ride to an event? Follow this link to the carpooling section of our forum to post requests or offers for ride shares!
Compost Tea Workshop
August 7, Saturday 9:00 am to 11:30 am
Cost: $10 for members/$15 for non-members
Location: Gibbs House, 4503 Parkview Ave., Kalamazoo
Click Here to Register Now!
Conventional lawn and garden treatments, such as fertilizers and pesticides, kill the microbial communities that are essential for optimal growth of plants. By destroying the microbes, plants then become "addicts' dependent on humans for nutrients and water. Adding compost tea to lawns can reduce water consumption, increase disease resistance, reduce mowing needs, and elimnate the use of chemicals. WMU Landscape Services has been developing a compost tea program to use on its campus lawns and trees. Come join us for this workshop and learn how you can use compost tea around your homes and reduce your dependence on fertilizers, pesticides, water and mowing.
Native Seed Collection
August 13, Friday 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Cost: Free
Location: Goldsworth Valley Pond, Western Michigan Unversity (Kalamazoo)
Click Here to Register Now!
Steve Keto, former commercial propagator of native Michigan plants, will discuss the techniques involved in choosing, harvesting, and storing seeds. We will be at WMU's Goldsworth Valley Pond. The shoreline of this pond was restored in 2004 and planted with native vegetation.
Techniques of Wetland Restoration
October 21, Thursday 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Cost: $10 for members/$15 for non-members
Location: Van Buren Conference Center (490 S. Paw Paw St., Lawrence)
Click Here to Register Now!
Wetlands are crucial for water quality protection and habitat, but many of our original wetlands have been converted for agriculture or development. This workshop will provide land owners and land managers with the details they will need to oversee a successful wetland restoration project, such as determining a suitable site, restoring hydrologic conditions, and establishing suitable vegetation. Sponsored in collaboration with the Van Burn Conservation District.
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Garlic Mustard Challenge 2010
April – June
Garlic Mustard Pull Challenge
Garlic mustard is an invasive plant that threatens the abundant wildflowers and diverse Michigan woods. Each spring (April through June) the Stewardship Network has a Garlic Mustard Pull Challenge among its local clusters. Check out the Stewardship Network's Garlic Mustard Challenge webpage for more information on how to participate and help the Southwest Corner Cluster in its quest for the Cluster Cup.
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Southwest Corner Cluster Participating Organizations
The Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Land Owner Incentive Program
Stewardship Program
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Fort Custer Training Center Environmental Section
The Nature Conservancy
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We'd Love to Have You!
We would like to invite you to join our Cluster. Groups and individuals who may be interested include: Community Service volunteers, Eagle Scouts, Master Gardeners, Conservation Stewards, field interns, people who want to connect to nature, people who want to meet with like-mnded people, and people who like getting exercise outdoors. Let's have some fun!
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