Preserving and Protecting our Natural Resources
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Preserving and Protecting our Natural Resources ☘︎
Berrien County Conservation District is board-driven and a local unit of government and a political subdivision of the State of Michigan. The District's authorities, powers, and structure are contained in Michigan Conservation District Law. Berrien Conservation District comprises all of Berrien County and was formed in 2006 with the merging of the Galien River and St. Joseph River Conservation Districts that were established in the 1940's.
Our goal is to conserve and protect land, air, water, and wildlife today for future generations. We partner with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and are housed with them in the USDA Service Center's Berrien Springs office.
OUR MISSION
Berrien County Conservation District’s mission is to promote the protection and improvement of Berrien County’s natural resources through education, management, and technical assistance.
OUR FUNCTION
We work at the county level to assist residents, producers, and communities to help resolve natural resource concerns. We offer available technical, financial, and educational resources. In addition, we help coordinate those resources to meet the needs of local residents to accomplish their conservation goals.
OUR MAJOR PROGRAMS
Michigan Agricultre Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP)
The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program is an innovative, proactive initiative that helps farms of all sizes and commodities voluntarily prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks, reduce erosion and runoff from private lands to public waters, and protect not only the environment's longevity, but also the well-being of surrounding communities, people, and farms.
Regenerative Agriculture
Regenerative agriculture takes sustainability a step further by actively replenishing the resources required to produce agriculture outputs. Where the objective is to increase the topsoil and improve natural resources thereby helping support the economy by using nature's processes and our practice.
Produce Safety
Michigan's Produce Safety Technician program provides free, voluntary, and confidential on-farm technical education to fresh produce farmers. As a conservation district, we partner with this program to deliver technical assistance to farms of all sizes, helping to improve produce safety and support sustainable agricultural practices. This non-regulatory program is a unique resource for Michigan farmers, dedicated to enhancing food safety and promoting a healthy agricultural community.
Invasive Species
The focus of the Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) is on collaborative efforts to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species, and to mitigate their impacts on the environment, economy, and human health. Our CISMA partnership engages in activities such as mapping and surveying invasive species populations, education, and strategic planning to address the threats posed by these species.
Engage with Us
Berrien County Conservation District encourages everyone to play their part in Conservation. The only way we succeed is when the change comes from within, and we want to empower you to take an active role.
Learn more about the opportunities available to lend your support.
Participate in Events
Join us for our upcoming events! We host workshops, field days, and more throughout the year. Stay tuned for dates and details. Come learn with us!
Volunteer
Get involved and make a difference! We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout the year, from assisting with our annual tree sale to participating in macroinvertebrate collections.
Donate
Support our mission! Contributions support our general funds, services, programs, and operational expenses, enabling us to continue our work in the community.
Upcoming Events
