WELCOME

Located in scenic West Michigan, the Muskegon Conservation District is a unique governmental subdivision of the state, created to serve as stewards of our natural resources. The guiding philosophy is that local people should make decisions on conservation issues at the local level, with technical assistance provided by local resource professionals. District projects and programs are as diverse as the landscape and are continually changing to meet the environmental challenges in local communities.

The Muskegon Conservation District was formed in 1938, and remains active to this day helping you restore, protect, and manage our natural resources.

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Spring Seedling Sale is now live!

It’s that time of year again! The Muskegon Conservation District annual 2024 spring seedling and native perennial  fundraiser is now live. This year we have over 25 seedling species, a variety of fruit trees, fruit plants, Muskegon Conservation District apparel, wildlife homes, native grasses and wildflower seed, honey, and planting/gardening products. Seedling order deadline is Friday, March 15th and pick up day is Saturday, April 20th. Perennial garden kit order deadline is May 1st and pick up day is Saturday May 18th. Orders can be placed through our website or by giving our office a call. Catalog available on our homepage or by clicking here. If you place an order, you will receive an invoice two weeks prior to the seedling sale. This invoice will have an order number and scheduled pick up time.  

Some seedling species we have this year are Eastern White Pine, Quaking Aspen, Butterfly Bush, and many more! We are also selling Bluebird Nest Boxes and Feeders, Bat Houses, and Wood Duck Nest Boxes! 

Want to go directly to our MCD shop page? Click here!

If you would like to join our mailing list please click on the this link: Join Email List

Join our team! MCD is looking for a part-time Administrative Assistant. This is a flexible role to support the staff, projects and special events at the District. Click here for the full job description:   MCD Administrative Assistant

Muskegon County Market Guide!

Check out our 2024 Market Guide! A resource for residents of Muskegon and surrounding counties. A map that illustrates farmers markets, community gardens, and local farms. Brochures can be printed our on paper 8.5″ X 14″.

Muskegon county market guide

Prune Oaks in Winter to Avoid Oak Wilt

Now until April is a great time to do trimming work on your oak trees. This is the time of year when the bark beetles that can carry the disease are not active. Oak wilt is most likely to spread from April to July when the beetles are most active and can carry the fungus to fresh cuts or wounds.

Oak wilt can be deadly to oaks in the red oak group (Northern red oak, black oak, and Northern pin oak in our region). Oaks of the white oak group (white oak, bur oak, swamp white oak etc.) can be infected but it seldom kills the tree.

Also, be careful when you use oak as firewood. If wood has oak wilt spores on it, they can spread to your live trees. To prevent this, cover infected firewood with a plastic tarp and bury the tarp’s edges underground to prevent the beetles from getting access to the wood. Keep the wood covered 6 to 12 months until the bark sloughs off. After this the wood should be safe to use.  

For more information see www.michiganoakwilt.org or call your District Forester, Rod Denning, at 231-861-5600.

White oak group – rounded lobes

Red oak group – pointed lobes

Important Updates

Our office is open Tuesday through Friday, but our crews are frequently out in the field. If you need to speak with someone, feel free to call ahead and make sure that we are in, 231.828.5097. Thank you!