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West Michigan Cluster was formed in 2006 to increase the overall stewardship efforts in Western Michigan. Our region includes Kent, Ottawa, North Allegan, Muskegon, and Newago Counties. The Cluster is made up of a diverse group of non-profit and for-profit organizations as well as governmental agencies including: The Nature Conservancy, the Land Conservancy of West Michigan, Ottawa and Kent County Parks, Ada Township Park, Calvin College, Wittenbach/Wege Agriscience and Environmental Center, and Howard Christensen Nature Center.
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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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West Michigan Cluster Events 2012
Click the name of a workshop to be taken to a registration form for that event
NOTE: ALL WORKSHOPS REQUIRE REGISTRATION.
Managing Your Lands for Amphibians and Reptiles
February 18, Saturday 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
Cost: $25 for Stewardship Network members/ $30 for non-members
Location: Calvin College Ecosystem Preserve (Grand Rapids, MI)
Click here to register
Join us as naturalists and herpetologists teach us about Michigan’s reptiles and amphibians and how to create and maintain their habitats. In preparation for the keynote address, Jeanette Henderson, naturalist, will start the morning off with a hands on lab introducing participants to the basic identification of these animals. This will be a great review for those of you who are familiar with herps and a good introduction for those of you who are just being introduced to the subject. Keynote speaker, David Mifsud from Herpetological Resources and Management will then go in depth in a two hour workshop on the basic natural history and ecological needs of amphibians and reptiles in Michigan. We will approach this topic with an emphasis on both the site-specific and landscape scale needs for these species in habitat restoration and creation efforts. Topics will include the importance of slope, microtopography, predators and prey, habitat structure, refugia, nesting, breeding, immigration and migration, Best Development Practices (BDP), and various management techniques including mowing, herbiciding, prescribed burns, and subsidized predator control. Light refreshments provided.
Woody Invasives of Michigan and Control Methods
February 28, Tuesday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Cost: Free, registration required
Location: Camp Roger (Rockford, MI)
Click here to register
2012 Stewardship Network Garlic Mustard Challenge
April to June, West Michigan Cluster parnters will be pulling garlic mustard in Allegan, Kent, Muskegon, Newago, and Ottawa counties! We were the 2011 Cluster Cup winners, and we'll be defending that title this spring. Check back this spring to find a pull near you!
Tackling Woody Invasives
We battle garlic mustard in the spring, but this fall we're taking on the woody invasives! Check back soon for more details on when, where and how you can get involved!
Past Events
Title
Date, day Time
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West Michigan Cluster Participating Organizations
The Nature Conservancy
The Land Conservancy of West Michigan
Ottawa and Kent County Parks
Ada Township Park
Calvin College
Wittenbach/Wege Agriscience and Environmental Center
Howard Christensen Nature Center
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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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