Berrien County Conservation District

08/31/2026

National Eat Outside Day 🌿

August is coming to an end, and summer is winding down—but with this beautiful weather, there’s still plenty of time to enjoy the outdoors! Today is National Eat Outside Day, so pack a meal, head to your favorite outdoor spot, and take a moment to enjoy the natural spaces we work so hard to protect.

Whether it’s a picnic at the park, lunch by the water, or a meal in your own backyard, getting outside is a great reminder of why conservation matters. Let’s soak up these last days of summer and appreciate the land, water, and wildlife right here in Berrien County!

08/28/2026

🎉 Congratulations, Tim Godfrey! 🎉

The Berrien County Conservation District is proud to congratulate Tim Godfrey on being named to the 40 Under 40 list! 👏🌱

Tim is also one of the newest members of our Board of Directors, and we are so happy to have him as part of the Berrien County Conservation District family.

His passion, leadership, and commitment to our community make him a wonderful addition to our board. We’re excited to see all the great things he’ll bring to the table!

Congratulations, Tim, on this well-deserved recognition! We’re lucky to have you! 🌿💚

Name Tim Godfrey Age 37 Company/Organization Lake Michigan College What Does Your Company/Organization Do? At LMC, We Connect You to Your Future. I do that as Program Director of our Wine & Viticulture Technology Program, helping build

08/28/2026

08/27/2026

Have you ever seen this sign? ​

It’s the mark of a farmer who’s verified in the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) Cropping System. ​

The MAEAP Cropping System recognizes farms that implement crop production practices that promote sound water use, soil conservation, and nutrient management. ​

What do the farms get out of the arrangement? Protection against nuisance complaints, preferred consideration for technical assistance, and recognition as leading stewards of our natural resources.​

Good for the environment, good for farmers, and good for communities. That's the MAEAP promise.​

Want to know more? Visit https://go.mi.gov/xr6dz2985

08/27/2026

-Invasive Sea Lamprey Search-

Have you heard about the search for invasive sea lampreys happening in our area?

The Berrien County Conservation District is sharing information about this important effort and why monitoring our waterways for invasive species matters.

Learn more about the search, what’s being looked for, and how you can help by reading our latest blog post!

👉 Read the full press release on our website and help us spread the word about protecting our local waterways.

08/26/2026

🌱 ONE MONTH until our Native Plant Sale! 🌱

We’re just one month away from our Native Plant Sale, and we’re excited to share a sneak peek at some of the wonderful native plants you may find!

From vibrant wildflowers to beautiful native grasses, these plants are a great way to add beauty, support pollinators, and create habitat right in your own backyard. 🌼

And the best part? Your purchases help support the Berrien County Conservation District and continue our efforts to promote conservation throughout our community.

Take a look at the list and start planning your garden! 🌿

📅 Native Plant Sale — One Month Away!
Located in our office parking lot at 3334 Edgewood Rd Berrien Springs Mi 49103.
Cost:$7.50 a Quart

08/25/2026

🌲 Qualified Forest Program Deadline Approaching!

Michigan landowners interested in the Qualified Forest Program (QFP) have until September 1st to submit their application.

If you own qualifying forestland, now is the time to make sure your paperwork is in order and take advantage of this opportunity to support sustainable forest management while potentially receiving property tax benefits.

Don’t wait — September 1st is right around the corner!

🌲 Michigan Forest Landowners – Enrollment is Now Open for the Qualified Forest Program! 🌲

Do you own 20 or more acres of forested land? You may be eligible for Michigan's Qualified Forest Program (QFP), which encourages sustainable forest management while providing property tax benefits for participating landowners.

The program helps landowners actively manage their forests for timber production, wildlife habitat improvement, and long-term forest health. In exchange, qualifying properties may receive an exemption from local school operating millage taxes.

⏰ Applications are due by September 1, 2026, for the 2027 tax year.

Whether you're interested in improving wildlife habitat, maintaining healthy woodlands, or learning more about sustainable forestry practices, now is a great time to explore the program.

Learn more about eligibility requirements, enrollment, and forest management plans here:
https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/environment/forestry/qualified-forest-program

🌳 Healthy forests benefit wildlife, water quality, and future generations. If you own forestland in Berrien County, this program may be worth a closer look!

08/24/2026

Cost-share assistance is available for organic producers and handlers to help cover organic certification costs for program years 2025 and 2026. The deadline to apply is Dec. 31, 2026. https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/07-02-2026/usda-helps-organic-producers-certification-costs

08/24/2026

Whether you’re just starting your cover crop journey or have been planting them for years, the 2026 enrollment period is something you won’t want to miss!

Not only will you earn $35 per acre, per year, on up to 2,000 cover crop acres, regardless of practice history, but you’ll also receive personalized assistance from your local state technical advisor each step of the way.

The Aug. 31 deadline is around the corner, so enroll today: FarmersforSoilHealth.com/uncover-earnings-through-cover-crops/

08/24/2026

🌱 Upcoming at BCCD! 🌱

Mark your calendars! We have several great opportunities coming up:

📅 Local Work Group Meeting
🌿 Board Meeting
🌻 Native Plant Sale
♻️ The Dirt on Composting Class

Check out our calendar for dates, times, and details. We hope to see you there! 💚