Upcoming Workshops and Events

Native Plant Fundraiser Sale June 13, 2007

Sale runs from 6pm to 8pm at the WCD office.

Place your order ahead of time to guarantee your selections or stop by the office on June 13 to see what we have left over. Orders are being taken through Friday, June 8, 2007. Click on link below for a printable order form.

Native Plants Order form.pdf

Look here for more workshops to come.

Annual Dinner/Meeting

This year's Annual Dinner/Meeting was held Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at the Temple Hill Baptist Church. Thank you to all that attended.

Annual Tour

The Annual Tour will be Saturday, October 14, 2006 from 10am - 2pm. We will be continuing last years theme by touring the Wexford Sand Co and then view two examples of thinning pine trees.  More information to come.

The Annual Tour for 2006 was canceled due to snow. Please be sure to join us next year for our Annual Tour. Location to be annouced.

Past Events and Workshops

District Tour - A Conservation Heritage

On September 24^th, 2005 the Wexford Conservation District hosted a beautiful District Tour on the property of the Eggle Family Centennial Farm.  By combining the fun of a school field trip with a neighborhood hayride, participants enjoyed a scenic tour while learning about proper timber management and conservation techniques.   

The Eggle family informed the group on their timber heritage that began many years ago with their ancestors settling and creating the farm.  Proper management of the forests and cropland meant that current generations will continue to reap the benefits of the 1000 acre property.  Those techniques have been passed on to the current Eggle family and they in turn, are always planning for future generations. 

The Tour began with introductions of the family and everyone mounted up onto hay wagons.  The first stop was one the Eggle family’s most profitable hardwoods stands.  Bob and Dave Eggle explained the importance of hiring a timber producer or forestry consultant that encouraging harvesting for future cuttings.   The Eggle family has a long working relationship with Carl and Randy Nelson. Assistance can also be given by the Wexford Conservation District.  Participants learned that tall, straight trees with minimal limbs are ideal for production.  Other stops included two aspen cuttings, one that was done two years ago and another that was performed many years ago.  Participants were shown woodland that had not been properly managed, wildlife habitat and deer food plots all while enjoying fresh apples from the farm. 

Afterwards, the group returned to the Clam Lake Town Hall for lunch and a presentation.  Tom Williams, district forester for the Wexford Conservation District, discussed creating a management plan for a landowner’s property.   A Management Plan documents goals and visions a landowner has for his/her property.  It can than be passed on to future generations or landowners.

 Annual Dinner - October 11th, 2005

The Wexford Conservation District combined with the Wexford County Farm Bureau for a shared Annual Dinner.  At the District's meeting, two awards were presented to Wexford County Land Owners for their work in conserving the natural resources of Wexford County. 

Conservation Business of the Year - Wexford Sand Company

The Wexford Conservation District would like to recognize the Wexford Sand Company, a division of Fairmount Minerals, for their excellence in conservation.    Seven years ago, they acquired 350 acres located in Slagle Township.  Of which, 270 of those acres were disturbed and not restored.  It has become a mission of the Wexford Sand Company to restore those acres to a diverse, natural habitat for wildlife and plants.  To date, 200 acres have been converted back to wetlands, sedges and future native prairies.   

The Wexford Sand Company is privately owned with its largest customer being Ford Motor Company in Cleveland Ohio.  Besides making a profit, this company is also committed to Sustainable Development.   Its goal is to contribute back to the environment and society.   This company has great pride in being Wildlife Habitat Council certified.  This process began with an on-site visit from a wildlife biologist who recommended various conservation practices.  After one year, the biologist returned to confirm the company’s compliance for certification.  Also, it is ISO 14000 certified which is an international standard for environmental management systems.  Only 2-5% of all businesses reach this stringent standard. 

Consisting of 21 employees, the Wexford Sand Company places conservation in everyone’s job description.  Each employee has a role in restoring habitat and wildlife.  A minimum of one day, each year is committed to volunteer work in the community.  In the last year, employees have cleaned three miles of the Manistee River System.

While partnering with many local groups and agencies, the Wexford Sand Company has become a critical link in preserving our natural resources.  These groups include the Wexford Conservation District, Steve Fouch with the MSU Extension Service, Save the Birds through Habitat and Wings of Wonder.   

Some of the many past and current projects of the Wexford Sand Company include:

* Attempting to eliminate invasive plants such as Autumn Olive and Spotted Nap Weed

The Wexford Conservation District honored the Wexford Sand Company at it’s annual

Conservationist of the Year - Ed Gilde 

Every year the Wexford Conservation District honors an individual for their achievement in protecting the natural resources of Wexford County.  This year the Wexford CD has selected Ed Gilde of Colfax Twp for his efforts in protecting and improving the natural resources of our area.

Over the years, the Gilde family has placed a great importance in being stewards of the land around them.  Ed is continuing the efforts of his father and mother, Edward J. and Alyss Gilde.  Ed’s parents had a long history of planting 1000’s of trees and properly managing pine plantations and hardwood forests.  They also closed abandoned wells and controlled soil erosion on the farmland.

The practices implemented by Ed over the last two years are many and diverse.  Ed’s first priority was to replant an area that was cleared cut due to over mature and dying jack pine.  This area was replanted to red pine and the logging trails were seeded.  Also, a filter strip was established to catch sediment from entering a wetland area.  He then worked with the US Fish and Wildlife Services in restoring a wetland that had previously been drained many years ago.  Since, a small dike was installed the wetland has now been able to maintain the same water level that was there before the previous drainage work took place.

Another priority Ed had was to provide clean water to grazing livestock on land that he leases out for pasture.  This year Ed installed a walking trail for the livestock that was hardened with gravel and underlined with a geotextile fabric.  This trail allows the cattle to access the pond without disturbing the soil which would have eroded into the pond and wetland.  Ed is also increasing the productivity of his pasture by working with the cattle owners to implement a prescribed grazing plan. 

Wexford Conservation District would like to say thank you to Ed for his efforts in protecting the natural resources in Wexford County.

Contact Information

 

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