About Us
Who We Are
The Berrien County Conservation District is a local unit of government and a political subdivision of the State of Michigan, operating under the authority of the Michigan Conservation District Law. Our mission is to promote the protection and improvement of Berrien County’s natural resources through education, management, and technical assistance.
As a conservation district, we are dedicated to working with local communities, organizations, and individuals to promote the wise use and management of our county's natural resources. Our focus areas include soil conservation, water quality, wildlife habitat, and environmental education.
We strive to:
Provide technical assistance and resources to landowners and residents
Promote conservation practices and sustainable land use
Support environmental education and community outreach
Foster partnerships with local organizations and agencies
By working together, we can protect and preserve the natural beauty and resources of Berrien County for future generations.
Our History
When the Dust Bowl pummeled across the prairies in the 1930’s, it became very clear that the United States needed practices in place to conserve natural resources. People like Hugh Hammond Bennett, now known as the “father of soil conservation,” understood it was essential to assist the nation's farmers to address soil erosion issues. Bennett worked with Congress to ratify the Soil Conservation Act in 1935 and the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) was formed under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). To carry out the work of SCS and provide local direction, the USDA proposed developing community-based organizations.
In 1937, Michigan legislature passed the Michigan Soil Conservation Districts Law as Act 297, PA. By December 1940, seven soil conservation district leaders had developed the Michigan Association of Soil Conservation Districts, which now is known as Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD). That same year, the St. Joseph River Soil Conservation District and Galien River Soil Conservation District were both founded here in Berrien County. For decades, these two organizations worked alongside one another to execute different conservation projects. This included The Benton Harbor Project, a soil conservation project under the direction of the United States Soil Erosion Service which covered a total area of 34,500 acres across northern and southern parts of the county.
On Valentine’s Day 2006, the two organizations were officially merged and renamed Berrien County Conservation District. This act streamlined the efforts of both organizations by creating a more concise board, saving money and eliminating redundancies. Since the consolidation, Berrien County Conservation District has continued to adapt and offer programming, services and partnerships that honor one goal: to conserve and protect land, air, water, and wildlife.