Districts Get it Done!

With the help of GM Lansing Operations the General Motors Foundation will provide $5,000 to support the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) and the Eaton Conservation District to focus on the care and management of Michigan's natural resources.

The donation was made as part of the Foundation's Plant City Grants initiative that in 2012 will award more than $1 million to nearly 200 organizations in 43 plant cities where GM employees live and work. Through these grants, the GM Foundation is building stronger communities and enriching the lives of our neighbors.

GM Lansing Regional Manufacturing Engineering Director Jeff Bell made the award on behalf of the Foundation at the Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant habitat.

The General Motors Foundation grant will support MACDs efforts through programs at the Eaton Conservation District to encourage land users to adopt conservation practices that protect soil, water, and related natural resources.

“Investment in our community and environment is very important to us,” Bell said. “Lansing Delta Township Plant is a good example of how it’s possible to incorporate sustainable practices into large scale manufacturing facilities. MACD reinforces GM’s environmental goals with their commitment to improving the environment by conserving resources.”

Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant is gold certified from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. LEED certification is the building industry’s well-respected recognition of superior energy and environmental design and construction. Seventy-five acres has been set aside to preserve existing plants and wildlife habitat.

Andrea Stay, Executive Director from the Eaton Conservation District said: "We are fortunate to have General Motors as a local partner in our community. We have worked together on multiple events over the years including school presentations, Arbor Day celebrations, pollinator garden planting, Bioblitz, and the Woods and Water 5K.  We appreciate their dedication to natural resources, and to their local partners.”

The General Motors Foundation grants made across the country are given to a wide-variety of organizations that families rely on to provide much needed services, improve education and impact the quality of life within their respective communities. The grants to these organizations and institutions will make these communities even greater places to work, live and grow.

About the GM Foundation

Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to deserving American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, Environment and Energy and Community Development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates. Funding of the GM Foundation 

 

EAST LANSING, May 10, 2012 — Pigeon Creek Watershed in Calhoun County and Hayworth Creek Watershed in Clinton County will be part of the new National Water Quality Initiative.  This USDA initiative targets impaired watersheds, providing conservation funding to farmers to implement practices that will protect and improve the wildlife and fish habitat and water quality.  

Environmental Quality Incentives Program funds will be utilized for this program, with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service providing the financial and technical assistance, in partnership with the Calhoun and Clinton Conservation Districts.  Conservation practices including cover crops, nutrient management, filter strips and conservation tillage will be encouraged within these watersheds where the on-farm investments have the best chance to improve water quality.   

"We are very pleased to have two Michigan watersheds chosen for this program.  The initiative will bolster voluntary conservation efforts by providing farmers with additional tools to install conservation practices to better improve water quality in these watersheds" said Lori Phalen, MACD Executive Director.  The Calhoun and Clinton Conservation Districts well understand the significant conservation issues facing these watersheds and will work closely with the USDA-NRCS to bolster voluntary conservation efforts through this program."

Farmers can check with the Calhoun Conservation District or Clinton Conservation District or view the online maps for the Pigeon Creek and Hayworth Creek Watersheds to see if they are located in a selected watershed.  Farmers within the watersheds are encouraged to apply, with applications due by June 16, 2012 in order to be considered.  All applicants will be notified this summer of the results of the competitive selection process, with NRCS developing contracts with applicants approved for funding.  

Michigan Conservation Districts and NRCS have worked in close collaboration since their establishment in the 1930's.  Today, this powerful conservation delivery system works with private landowners to address local conservation needs while addressing state and national interests.  Locally directed, Michigan Conservation Districts partner closely with the NRCS as well as the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environmental Quality to provide the cost effective delivery of state and federal programs including Federal Farm Bill programs, Michigan Environmental Stewardship Program, Bovine TB Risk Mitigation Project, Critical Dunes Vegetative Removal Assurances, Hunter Access Program, Michigan Pheasants Restoration Initiative, and several Great Lakes Restoration Initiative projects. 

For more information on Michigan Conservation Districts and their conservation activities and partnerships, please visit www.macd.org.  Visit the Michigan NRCS website at www.mi.usda.gov.

Oakland CD Hosting Public Meeting Landowners in the Flint River Watershed in Oakland County are invited to a public meeting on March 6 to address phosphorus and water quality. 

The meeting, hosted by the Oakland Conservation District, will begin at 6:45 p.m. at the Holly Public Library in Holly.

The district received grant funds from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to work with landowners to reduce the amount of phosphorus entering surface water in the watershed.

Anyone planning to attend the meeting is asked to  RSVP by noon on March 6 by calling 248/328-0594.  A dessert made of locally grown food will be served.