Ottawa Conservation District
16731 Ferris Street
Grand Haven, MI 49417
616.846.8770 ext. 5 phone
616.842.2820 fax
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
www.ottawacd.org
Map | Directions

Spring 2010 Tree Seedling Sale

Forestry Assistance

Forestry Assistance offers information, educational programs, technical assistance, and referrals to all residents, community groups, and government agencies within Ottawa and Allegan Counties. On-site assistance and other services will be assessed a fee. Fees are dependant on services provided. Please contact the Conservation District for specifics.

Resources Management Assistance

Forestry Assistance provides technical assistance and advice on managing small or large tracts of land for forestry and wildlife management goals.

Advice and referrals for timber marketing and sales
Timber stand improvement
Tree and shrub planting recommendations
Wildlife habitat planning and enhancement
Windbreak planning and management
Wetland restoration assistance
Prairie and grassland planting assistance
Buffer strip planning
Incorporating forestry and wildlife into farm/recreation lands

Urban and Suburban Resources

Urban and suburban residents with concerns about individual trees or small lots can also use the Forestry Assistance Services.

Tree insect and disease diagnosis
Tree care advice and referrals
Backyard wildlife habitat assistance
Plant selection, planting and transplanting instructions
Hazard tree evaluation guidelines
Street and park tree concerns
Recommendations for special features gardens to attract wildlife
Information on using native plants

Education and Information

An important part of Forestry Assistance is providing education and information to people of all ages.

Informational handouts and telephone consultations
Site visits with residents, community groups and units of government
Presentations to classrooms and adult groups
Outdoor classroom assistance
Workshops, tours and demonstrations
Partnerships with other natural resources organizations
Newsletters and news articles
Earth Day and Arbor Day programs

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)

Don't Move Firewood!

Something Michigan campers need to always keep in mind is the current restrictions on the movement of firewood. There is a statewide quarantine banning the movement of untreated deciduous firewood out of 49 quarantined areas in the Lower Peninsula. Additionally, no untreated deciduous firewood may be moved from any part of the Lower Peninsula into the Upper Peninsula, neighboring states or across the St. Clair River. Violations of this quarantine are subject to penalties.

This quarantine was imposed in an attempt to reduce the spread of the exotic emerald ash borer. EAB, native to Asia, was first discovered in southeast Michigan in the summer of 2002. Since then, approximately 15 million ash trees have been damaged or killed in Michigan. Many federal, state and local agencies have been working cooperatively to understand the nature of EAB, identify where it has spread, research control options, and try to stop its spread.

One important way that EAB has spread unnaturally is through human movement of firewood. According the Michigan Department of Agriculture, nearly all of the infestations outside of the core infestation in southeast Michigan have been traced to the movement of firewood. Many other woodland pests can also be spread to new areas by hitching a ride on firewood. This includes exotic pests like gypsy moth, beech bark disease, hemlock woolly adelgid, Asian longhorned beetle, oak wilt, and others. Because of this and to ensure compliance with the quarantine, it is best to not transport any firewood around, into and out of Michigan.

When you go camping, buy firewood locally; do not bring it from home. Use all of the wood you buy; do not leave any behind unburned. If you have already transported firewood from another area, burn it immediately; do not dump it, leave it or take it home. By promoting awareness of EAB and how it can be transported in firewood, we can all do our part to help prevent the spread of this exotic pest to uninfested areas.

Addition Information About EAB

http://www.michigan.gov/eab

http://www.emeraldashborer.info

or contact:
Kelly
Ottawa Conservation District
16731 Ferris St
Grand Haven MI 49417
Phone: (616) 846-8770 x5

Allegan Conservation District
1668 Lincoln Rd
Allegan MI 49010
Phone: (269) 673-8965 x3
E-mail: kelly.goward@mi.nacdnet.net

National Ash Tree Seed Collection Initiative

A nationwide effort to collect ash seeds was initiated by the Rose Lake Plant Materials Center in the spring of 2005 in response to the threat posed by the emerald ash borer. This initiative began with the hopes of preserving Michigan native ash species, should the worst case scenario happen and we lose all of our ash trees to the borer, which has already killed millions of ash trees. An agreement for long-term storage of the ash seeds was made with the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation in Fort Collins, Colorado. The Plant Materials Center is currently seeking volunteers to help with this collection effort.

Last year, ash seed production was low and only about 20 samples were collected in Michigan. This year is shaping up to be an excellent seed production year, partly in response to the drought suffered last year. If you are interested in helping collect ash seeds, contact the Ottawa or Allegan Conservation District for more information. You can also visit the Plant Materials Center’s ash seed collection website at www.ashseed.org.